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So after an amazing trek to Macchu Picchu we were back in Cusco and with only a few days to go before Christmas Mike and I had to make the decision whether to stay in Cusco for Christmas or move on. It was a pretty tough decision as we really loved Cusco and it was starting to feel quite Christmassy but also we had already spent a fair amount of time there and wondered whether we should get going again.

In the end we decided to spend a few more days in Cusco hanging out with people from the trek and then move on to Arequipa on Christmas Eve, maybe the wrong decision in hindsight but more on that in later blogs!

The last few days in Cusco were pretty cool just hanging out with the last few people from the trek that hadn’t already moved on, a few drinks, some lovely dinners and a nice trip to the Cocoa museum. Here it was quite clear that all everybody was really interested in was the yummy hot chocolate we had been told about however we managed to restrain ourselves long enough to watch the very interesting video before indulging… And they were yummy!!!!

The most exciting thing to happen over those few days was something I didn’t expect to have to watch so soon in the trip. On our train journey back from Macchu Picchu a little head had popped over the seat in front of us and simply said ‘Mike bungee jump tomorrow!’ Marc I never thanked you for this, so thank you! I knew Mike had always wanted to do a jump and that maybe this trip would be the ideal time however I don’t think he thought it would be in South America and so hadn’t really thought much about it up to now, with the idea now floating around it was suddenly very real and he actually had to decide if he did really want to do it. From my point of view I think secretly I had always hoped that perhaps the opportunity wouldn’t arise and that maybe it would never happen, it wasn’t a thought I was cherishing, watching Mike jump from god knows how high on an elastic rope! But that’s me just being a bit selfish because I’m such a big baby when it comes to anything like this, so when Mike asked me if I thought he should do it I could only say it was up to him and that this would probably be the best time to do it as a few other guys were going to go so at least he would have others with him rather than doing it alone somewhere else.

With the decision made, rather apprehensively I think, we was off to the jump site. The cable was suspended between the mountains just a short drive out of Cusco and at 122metres is the highest bungee jump in South America. When we arrived I think the lads were quite surprised at how high it actually was and with no solid base to jump from it was looking all the more daunting. There was a buzz of nervous excitement amongst the guys and I think they all really wanted to get going, maybe to get it over with I don’t know!

Kim was the first to jump and it was all so quick, I have never watched anyone bungee before and it was pretty nervous for me so god knows how it must feel if your actually jumping!! When Kim came down he was pretty pumped and I think this made Mike relax a lot to see how much Kim had enjoyed it. After Chris and Jason both jumped it was Mike’s turn, I was feeling ok having watched the others jump but it didn’t quite stop the nervous butterflies! Fernando our guide from the trek had come along with us and had offered to film Mike for me so I could just concentrate on watching him jump, I wasn’t sure what was better! Anyway Mike made the jump safely and it was pretty cool to watch and see him enjoy it so much, however it’s not something I want to make a habit of!

As I could never explain what it was like to jump I’m gonna pass over to Mike just quickly………..

Hello - Doing a bungee jump was something I always thought I wanted to do, but would never have the courage to do it. Therefore I need to thank both Kim and Mark for talking me into doing it whilst I was inebriated on a night out! Basically, the feeling of jumping from a small cage 122 metres up in the air is unreal, and the mixture of adrenaline, fear, excitement and the unknown is one that I have never experienced before, and doubt I will again. IT WAS AWESOME!! Back to Donna….

So after an amazing time in Cusco, a wonderful trek, a successful bungee jump and meeting some awesome people it was time to leave. We was pretty sad but with so much to look forward to, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Christmas and New Year we knew we would be in for a good week!

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