Laylap

Had just finished reading An Idiot Abroad where Karl Pilkington visits the seven wonders of the world. Machu Picchu had been the only seventh wonder of the world that he had been remotely enthusiastic about my expectation was high. Maybe my trip was tainted somewhat before it started because I was unable to do the trek I wanted due to poor health and opted instead for a two day tour. However having the company of Jane and knowing that we were arriving at Machu Picchu before sunrise still filled me with excitment. The first day of the tour; started with seven hours sitting on the back seat of a mini bus with three others on some of the bumpest roads I have ever encountered (and that is saying something). Dust and dirt stuck to my skin ... read more

San Pedro Atacama in the Atacama desert. I visited the valley of death, valley of the moon, and decided to confront my fear of horse riding. There is no better place to do this than the desert with a back drop of volcanoes. There are many active volcanoes in the area. No text needed the photos show the amazing beauty.... read more

With hotand stunning Chile now far behind me and sitting in a rainy La Paz there is no better time to update on my travels. After leaving Illapel travelled onto Ovalle a mining town. It isn't on the tourist trail and only had one hostel Jamie's Crazy House. It was somewhat crazy as it's not owned by Jamie but by Ceazar, a affable chap with no business mind at all, who appeared more lonely than anything.The place was basic and cheap and we were the only guests. Felt an earthquake tremor of 4.2 on the second night. Ceazar appeared more shaken by this than us in the morning. The other event of ny stay in Ovalle was getting my hair cut. After months of attempting to grow it in the UK I finally had enough in ... read more

Hiya all, been abit poorly so way behind with my blogg, instead of rushing it and not getting quite right, its going to just take me a wee while to get up to date so here goes. Leaving the girls from my last group in the hostel in Hong Kong and going it alone for 24 hours felt a wee bit daunting, but when i got on the plane and into Bangkok my feet didn't touch the ground. stayed in an ace hostel, where I decided with abit of advice to leave half my stuff in a locker till I return to Bangkok as it was a real pain in the arse to cary all my winter clothes, so i left the hostel liberated and ready to start a new tour after spending an excellent nights ... read more

Llongi rice terraces, after three buses, two of them public, 4 hours and sharing my mp3 with a local, waiting for the road to be tarmaced and then a 40min hike uphill we arrived and it was the best setting a rural village in the middle of the rice terraces. Wonderful food, then huddling around a charcoal burner and a well needed sleep we left the following morning to trek 4 hours through the terraces to the next village. stayed there a further night. Had a lovely walk in the morning and did my tai chi amongst the terraces. Three local ladies found it most amusing. It would be spectacular in the spring with the water and the rice growing however we had it to ourselves which is PERFECT!... read more