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Arrived in Brazil today and feel like a bumbling fool. Just when I could confidently order food and drink and communicate decently - bam! Can´t think of a word of Portugese (and also sometimes not even the English word!). Ah well, hopefully will adapt pretty quickly. Heading off on another overnight bus this evening to Florianopolis - beautiful Brazillian beaches baby! Woohoo!... read more

Wow is the word for the Iguazu Falls - 275 waterfalls along over 2km of the Iguazu River with borders on Argentina, BRazil and Paraguay. Amazing especially the Garganta del Diablo one which is huge. The falls are bigger than Niagara falls. Stayed in a cool hostel which was more like a resort and had lovely few days. Huge pool and big gardens so perfect for chilling.... although that is all I seem to do these days! Next stop Brazil baby!... read more

Hi, beach life is seriously draining I can tell you! Sleeping lots and finding it far too difficult to motivate myself to keep the blog up.... Anyway quickly, had great time in Ecuador, then took overnight bus back to Lima - this turned into the worse journey yet in South America.... 30 hours on a warm bus with dodgy air conditioning, three sreaming infants, a family of about 20 from hell swapping seats the entire time and screaming at each other down the bus, crap seats, terrible food..... arghhhhh! Anyway survived somehow although at the time we thought we would afraid to get on a bus ever again! Stayed in a different hostel in Lima than last time which was a mistake as new one was a bit weird. Only for one night so no worries. ... read more

Hola, just a quick hi. Arrived in the coolest place today in Ecuador - so surfer and chilled out... loving it already. Roll on the waves tomorrow.... for now, roll on the cocktails! Will update properly soon.... Tan is golden by the way!!!!! Love Lisa... read more

Took an overnight bus from Lima, a seriously comfortable bus with two movies shown and then totally darkness....actually slept most of the way. Arrived in Mancora (famous beach resort in Northern Peru) at 8.30am.... hordes of guys trying to convince you to go to different hostels and hostels.... anyway agreed with one fella and he called his friend the taxi driver over to bring us there...... by the way the taxi is a Tut-tut! Fine, no worries, rucksacks strapped in and off we go. Except that the paved road does not last long and over 20 mins later of pure pain bouncing up and down we arrive at the "hotel" - we took a quick look around but our first impression had been "run away as fast as you can!", lovely taxi driver smiled knowingly and ... read more

You really just cannot believe everything you read! My goodness some reports on Lima were horrific. Arrived to the hostel in Miraflores and it was lovely, opposite Kennedy Park a really pretty well kept park in Miraflores. Weather was fabulous, sunny and hot with a gentle breeze. Spent a week chilling here and enjoying life in a pretty clean suburb. Long lunches, movies, dinners, sessions, beach, roof garden sunbathing...... did a city tour but that was as cultural as it got! Was nice but after one week the legs were itching for some action! Took overnight bus to Mancora.... read more

No mad aches the day after, hurrah! Went for a manicure and pedicure and had totally chill out day. Watched the rugby.... lazy and wonderful! A day or two later or could have been three???! Flew to Lima.... read more

Hey! How bold and lazy have I been??!!! Well it kinda difficult to remeber all the details now but will try to give you the main jist of things. Went to the Inca Trail briefing at 6pm.... shop locked up with massive padlock and no sight or sound of anyone.... oh oh.... why did we book the first company we saw.... anyway, the ever so kind guy in the hostel (the hostel and the travel agents are in the same courtyard) called a mobile number, got somebody and finally after half six a guy arrived.... mad long hair and seemed to be in a huge hurry (another oh oh feeling creeping up), sat us down and went through the map and´plan again (hey Mister, we have already paid in full for this... a bit late to ... read more

Hey, Had a few great nights out. On Friday night met up with Jason (Cork lad we met in Buenos Aires) and two other lads... ended up in nightclub. Good fun. Took it easy on Sat.... eating and TV. Today is the big preparation day... have the list made - batteries, baby wipes, lots of tissue, snickers & loads more snacks, waterproof ponchos, pants, hats, scarves, water, etc.... Have briefing at 6pm this evening and the adventure begins at 4am...... So will be back in Cusco on Friday night. Hope to update you on the news on Sat. Oh my goodness, I´m a nervous nelly about it.... Lx... read more

Hey, Friday night just after a full day tour of Sacred Valley - visited Inca ruins similar to Machu Picchu but not as big or well preserved or impressive. Had two mini hikes during the day up huge rough steps (will be very similar to the 65km or so on the Inca Trail) and oh my god was I worried about the state of my fitness after the first one... ouch! But found the second one much easier and was not so out of breath! Please, please, please let it not lash rain the entire time... three nights camping and four days hiking.... can you imagine doing that wet and cold..... oh oh big time! I´m just a spoilt chicken, will be fine I´m sure (have heard so many horror stories of food poisioning and stomach ... read more