Destination 4: Chile - Down time in down town.

"BOYS WILL BE BOYS"


CHILE WAS CHILL TIME

By the time we hit Chile we were pretty broken individuals! Tired from the recent weeks of partying, climbing, biking, sitting in jeeps etc etc! We were in definite need of a rest and serious relaxation. Chile definitely provided this for us!

Chile was way more first world then Bolivia or Peru! WAY MORE! The border post actually had computers, swipe reading scanners for your passports and they did a thorough bag search! (lucky they didn't confiscate barbie!) I must say we were happy to be in a more first world place, especially after the Salt Flats where we slept on a thin mattress simply plonked on top of a pile concrete. The pillows in Salt Flats couldn't really be described as pillows either! Lumpy porridge pillows as Guy described them. Food....we were not entirely sure what we were eating in Bolivia half the time.

As we drove down to San Pedro de Atacama on tar for the first time in a long time, we could feel the oxygen in the air getting thicker, we could feel ourselves getting warmer and our spirits lifted quickly! We had a nice meal in San Pedro and decided to stay a night to rest our weary bones and possibly drink a few Cuba Libras. Found a lovely hostel and when bodies hit the comfy beds it was tickets. As the evening approached it became clear that a big night was on the cards. Guy made a wise decision to rest his body half due to his body rejecting lunch. Julian on the other hand, still acting like a 2 year old, decided to bend it like Beckham with Matt the kiwi that we still hadn´t managed to ditch, Clint and Jane (kiwi couple) and Michelle (English girl). The next day Guy awoke refreshed and feeling great, Julian woke up still a little drunk. There is more rum than coke in those drinks.....(seriously no joke). We had the day to kill before our bus departed so we rented bikes and went cruising around San Pedro. It was hot hot and we had a great day in the desert around San Pedro. Visited Pukura Quito (a cool old hide out of some dude) that was carved into a nearby mountain. We explored that and found an awesome cave which we spent a good half hour exploring in almost pitch blackness.

Later that evening we embarked on our Premium Class 22 hour bus trip down to Santiago! We were situated downstairs in the lap of luxury. Had Clint, Jane and Michelle with us.....feeling equally as bad as Jules. So we were in really good company....which was necessary cause all the movies were in Spanish! Lots of "would you rather" questions and card games. We all managed a good nights sleep after our host made or beds for us and tucked us in. For those of you who haven't been to South America, the seats recline all the way into beds and you feel like you are lying in a massive old lazy boy! The 22 hours sailed by and before we knew it we had reached Santiago....

Easy food in South America is hot dogs.....only they don´t call them hot dogs.....they are called 'Doggies'. Try going up to the counter and asking for a ....DOGGIE! Very amusing.

"BEER, SUN, POOL, BIKINIS....HEAVEN?"

By Santiago we were well ready for some serious down time. The hostel we checked into was the nicest hostel in South America for sure. Awesome pool with a bar in the pool.....it was an old colonial mansion with high ceilings and original wooden floors. The owner was an awesome Aussie guy. It was aaaaaaaaaaamazing! We decided it was time to get in touch with our feminine side....so we tried our hand at waxing....3 weeks later, the patch of leg that was waxed is still smooth as a babies bum!

"THE AUSSIE CREW"

We spent our time lying by the pool sunning ourselves, drinking beer in the pool bar and having plenty of banter with some awesome Aussie girls that we met in the hostel. Had a couple nights out but really took it pretty easy. Next door was a great sushi restaurant, which we frequented every night! We were HAPPY. Guy did not actually see any of Santiago to be honest. There was no real need to leave the hostel and we needed the R&R! Santiago was all about Sun, Sushi and Cervesa.

So after 5 quick days in Santiago, it was time to climb on another bus (Guy maybe still slightly intoxicated at 2 pm - Jules the sensible 1 this time) 8 hours to the start of chapter 5 - Argentina.

Chile was short but fun. Perhaps in hind sight we should have tried to see a bit more of it (Lake district and the beaches) but we needed the time to relax after a month of travelling. We never knew travelling would be such hard work! We need a holiday! But Chile is certainly a place we would like to come back to. Guess now we have a reason for 'RoadtrippintheSsphere - Round Dos!

Destination 3: Bolivia - La Paz and the Salt Flats

Bolivia is a mad place.....here is our story.

Our first stop after we crossed into Bolivia was a tiny, sleepy hippy town on Lake Titicaca called Copacabana. Copacabana is situated at very high altitude...around 4000m. Its a surreal place tho....very bungi, very cold at night, very cheap and VERY sleepy! We went out the first night looking for a bit of jol not really knowing what to expect. We were expecting a small party town but there was literally NOTHING happening! Think the locals are all literally just too stoned at home!

Seeing there wasn´t much happening we decided on a romantic dinner for 2. We had heard Bolivia was going to be cheap but we didn´t expect it to insanely cheap. This will give you an idea of how cheap it is here. Three course meal, free c0cktail and coffee at the end....22 Bolivianos, which is 3 dollars US, which is around 2 quid! Crazy cheap!

You know that saying ´Only in South Africa´ - well it definitely pertains more to Bolivia I reckon! The waiter, a Dave Grohl/Jesus look alike takes your order sitting next to you as if he is your best mate. After that we even saw him bumming smokes off the people sitting next to us! When we asked for our coffee at the end he first went to go have his dinner with his mate, finished his meal then decided to go get our coffee. The place seemed like it was in slow motion.

"WHITE MEN CAN JUMP"

Our first day in Bolivia was spent waiting around town for a Matt Paterson (Kiwi surfer) we had met traveling. Why we befriended him is another question all together? Any SAFFA worth his weight knows that a Saffa is too cool for a Kiwi! Matt arrived midday and we decided to head out to this island called Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), a short boat ride from Copacabana. This tiny little island was wonderful. It is so small you can go north to South in a few hours walking.
The day was gorgeous, blue skies and high temperatures. We were swamped as we arrived by 10 young islanders all offering to be our tour guide and carry our bags up the steep cliffface to the hostels! We accepted the help of guys called Alvarro. He was apparently 20 but looked like he was 14! He had about 3 front teeth in total (top and bottom), claimed he was a tour guide and claimed he was fluent in English! He seemed like our best option so we got him and his mates to help us with our bags and accepted his offer to take us around the Island the next day! If you thought Cobacabana was quiet then this place took it to a new level. After dinner and after the sun sets there is literally nothing to do! To back up my point Alvarro explained he was one of 18 siblings. He said one of his mates had over 20 brothers and sisters! We were in bed by seven trying to sleep and decided how we were going to get rid of Paterson. Matt has the amazing ability to snorr and fart virtually simultaneously. Not just ordinary snorring and farting but some pretty loud and intense sounds and aromas! At around 9 we were woken up by people singing, dancing and making a farking a racket upstairs. Was not happy till they decided to come downstairs and wake us up....they were two nice looking Swedish gals. They invited us upstairs for a drinks (circle of Death) with a couple of Aussies, couple of Canadians and a Scot! But alas we quickly ran out of booze and had to go running around this little island in the middle of the night looking for more alcohol. Everything shuts at sun set so we thought we were out of luck until some man overheard us talking, came out, opened up his house and sold a whack of booze! Had quite big evening in the end.

No sleep day cruised round the island with Alvarro. All we can say is it is very pretty as none of us understood a word of what old Alvarro said. First his english was special for lack of a better word.....but more importantly we think he lacked any kind of knowledge of the island....

After a day of exploring the island of the sun (this was without done the island of the SUN), we caught the ferry back to the mainland and bussed it to La Paz. The three hour bus journey cost 10 Bolivians, less than a quid. The guy that sold is the ticket said it was direct to La Paz....."Direct" being a subjective word in Bolivia we suppose! As darkness fell the bus stopped and we were told to vacate the bus (friggin cold and dark dark dark outside) But now the fun starts....we have to board a dodgy little boat suitably named the ´Titanic´. The Titanic was nothing like its namesake to be honest, it was a little pile of junk, capacity probably around 12 persons.....we had maybe 18! Oh and it had no lights! We had to cross this wide, powerful river, with swell so large that it almost made waves! The bow of the "Titanic" was plunging under the swells repeatedly. We were getting thrown around like circus monkeys in literally pitch black. We even started discussing wills for the first time in our lives! We were admittedly scared on that dodge little boat.

We arrived in La Paz, safe and went to Adventure Brew Hostel. Awesome hostel in La Paz central with a micro-brewery on site! Only arrived at 10.30pm....which is what time the city starts pumping! Had a good night out....La Paz is crazy. Night started off by drinking local rum (poured out of literally a plastic petrol tank). Our first night wasn´t a disapointment, had a great time. When you roll in at 10 am you are pretty sure you have had a good time.....Matthew (the kiwi rolled in at 5 pm after falling asleep on a couch in a bar/restaurant - can´t take those kiwis anywhere!)

Monday of the new week was a bit of a scary day to be honest.......there was a massive strike/march on La Paz.....150 000 people marching outside blowing up dynamite. The protesters marched, some of them for weeks from the country to strike! It was a very colourful affair and seemed very organized! Spoke to the travel agent in the hostel and he advised we don't go out and said things could turn really nasty and dangerous. He couldn't really explain what the strike was all about but it obviously had something to do with Morales. We watched it from the comfort of the 4th floor. I thought it was going to get messy when we were sitting watching a DVD and some massive explosions went off...they literally shook the ground. In the end it petered out quite peacefully. For a couple of days after that we couldn´t really book any tours or anything. We had originally wanted to go to the Amazon but Matthew (never trust a Kiwi) "WISELY" suggested we climb Huayna Potosi. He said his bro did it and said it was awesome. In retorspect we think Matts bro was playing a practical joke on us! The climb and the descent was one of the hardest days of our lives, I promise. Read on......really just not a lot of fun!

"TRAINING DAY"

Early start, brekkie and headed straight off to the agency to get picked up. We were the first guys there. Next thing a oke rocks up....nice looking blond dude. Start chatting, we all say we looking forward to the climb, small group should be cool! He goes small group, nah nah nah nah....he is in a group of 10! Where u from, the big question? Please don't say it, please dear Lord! Israel! He said it.....Israelis are the worst backpackers in the world. Some hostels don't allow them in.....they are just painful! How much for a room.....okay, 10 dollars. Does that include a towel? Yes. How much without a towel? Does it include breakfast? Yes it does...how much without the breakfast etc etc. Our Israelis were all staying in 'Kibbutz' just for Israelis. We get into the jeep and the talking starts....phelgm sounds being thrown around everywhere....the leader of the pack of Isrealis speaks in English: can we ask you a question....sure.....more banter.....Hebrew Hebrew Hebrew fills the van....Ghhhhhhh, Ghhhhhh, Shhhhhh..'How much you guys pay?' Can you friggin believe it?´Not where you from? Not what is your name? Not what you been up to in South America? Just no clue! Eventually got up to the training camp. Training was loads of fun....very very cold but good preparation for the mountain. Ugo (the owner) knew the deal and separated us from the Israelis and put us with a cool Canadian couple Roberto and Emily! Very nice people (other than the fact they enjoyed climbing, camping and trekking). Climbing trekking and camping became swear words after our trip up this god forsaken mountain! Had a nice dinner and an early night in a kak little bed. We woke up late following training day, had copious amounts of coffee, cocoa tea, brekkie and played countless games of presidents and a-holes. We were in a happy place, oblivious as to what we had got ourselves into! The calm before the storm we suppose. At around 3 we started our assault on high camp......a mere 2 hours away but you had a big backpack with all your gear, ice axe, ice boots, crampons, snow jackets etc. At the 'camp' (a round tin shack) we had some cocoa tea, soup, noodles and attempted to fall asleep. We were all lying on top of each other, the guides fell asleep farting and snorring like their lives depended on it, you could not move, no pillow......it was the worst 5 hours sleep (if you can call it that) of my life. There was no sleep.... Midnight they woke us up.....We were feeling terrible.... Jules had a fever and me a sore sore neck. We both had headaches that seemed to split our poor little pips into 4! We were feeling ROUGHER than a baboons behind. 1am we set of for the summit in the pitch black freezing cold. One foot in front of the other, no talking, nausea, darkness, coldness, dangerous drop offs either side of you, no breath, freezing (thought frostnip was gonna get guy again), 30m ice walls, Ice everywhere and always pitch black.......The only light coming from you small headlight. We bravely soldiered on right the way to the top. Guy got to 30 meters below the summit and decided not to do the last little bit as it looked FRIGGIN dodgy! Sheer cliff literally! This earned Guy the name 6050 from Matt and Julian. We remember a few things that made it memorable.....looking up at the stars and it was amazing (a-maaaaaaaaaaze-ing trip joke), the view from 6050 was also pretty spectacular! Jules and Mat took some stunners from the top. You reach the summit as the sun is rising.....you are higher then the clouds and the view takes what little breath you have away. All below you the sun lights up snow capped mountains....just for a moment you think all the pain was all worth it. Sum it up: once at the top it was worthwhile, getting there was not fun! Basically NEVER again. If you see us going trekking again above 5000m please ask our Mums to check us into rehab! Made it down to high camp and then base and went home on the worlds longest bus ride.

Again, team Roadtripping the Sphere, aka the ´Worlds worst back packers´ did a great job planning etc. It was Friday night and we were exhausted from the mountain plus we booked the worlds most Dangerous Road the next day so we couldn´t put on our glad rags and squeak some takkie on the dance floor!

"DEATH ROAD"

The Worlds Most Dangerous Road....This name was given to this road by a group of American scientists who did a study on a number of roads all around the world! Great group of people and really nice guide (Dan from South West England). He pretty much scared the living daylights into us from moment one telling us of the horror stories and exactly why it is the most dangerous road etc. It is the worlds most dangerous road cause it has the most deaths/km in the world.When you get to the top you see a sign that says 43 people have been killed on the road this year......Dan then goes, that is wrong, last weekend we had 9 more so it is now 52! First part was on a wide tarred highway....a nice introduction to your bike. Once you get to the worlds most dangerous road your heart is pounding. As we got into it and confidence increased, we started to go a lot faster and we REALLY enjoy it. To give you an idea of the gradient: One rides from an altitude of 4700m to 1700 m in a few hours, with sheer drops of 600m in some cases...We loved the whole day, really was amazing. The drive back up was probably the most harrowing because;
a) you don´t have control of your movements...the bus driver has your life in his hands
b) you look out the window and catch a glimpse of nothing! I cant really explain how high up you really are.....or the views. Sorry, you have to go do it for yourself!

"LOOKING GOOD.....PLAYING BAD"

We also played golf in La Paz on the worlds highest course.....What an amazing golf course. We drove down through the valley of La Paz. As we drove further and further down things got more and more affluent! 4x4´s, massive houses etc. When we arrived at the golf course it was something out of James Bond film. Massive clubhouse, so very colonial, GREEN GREEN fairways in what is a very dry brown area....it was somewhere where you could imagine a few drug lords meeting on a weekday for some cigars, whiskey and discuss the next big deal! We all played pretty bad golf by our high standards but is well worth it! (Panda we think you know who won)

"THE FELLOW INMATES"

Another highlight was visiting San Pedro Prison in La Paz! One of the craziest days of our lives.....rocked up to the prison not really knowing what to expect. Saw two blonde lasses talking to a man, who was quite clearly Kenny (real Cape Coloured looking oke). He took us to the prison entrance where we all signed our names and passport numbers into a book. He then started chatting to Daniel through the gate in sterk Afrikaans. Daniel didn´t sound to happy with things but we were taken in! He was a pretty screwed up dude to be honest! Told us he had a gram of cocaine for breakfast as he had ripped off his entire big toe nail! He showed us that he had and it was not pretty! He sat us down in the second floor of the cell that belonged to a good mate of Pablo Escabar! He got out his computer and played us a bit of Steve Hofmeyer and then showed us a documentary on San Pedro Prison....pretty amazing place is the biggest understatement I have ever made! Place is as bent as Elton John....so uber corrupt it frightens even Bob Mugabe! Basically the prison is microcosm of the world in general. It is total free market economy in there. You have to buy your own cell, you have to have a job if you don´t have money (a show polisher, a guide, a person who gets stuff, you run a store, you mend clothes etc), you can live with your wife and children in the prison ...they can come and go as they please. The only restriction for you is that you have to be at roll call every morning at 7.00 am. There are even elections in the prison for mayors of certain areas of the prison. These mayors control their areas .....ie most people are in there for white collar crimes. Sometimes a rapist or murderer will be put in prison. When this happens they are monitored closely as most the guys in their have wives and kids you roam freely around the prsion. If they step out of line they get killed in the pool (thrown in there and every time they try to surface they have rocks thrown at their head).

Daniel then took us up to the 3 rd floor of Jorge Siaz´s cell where we just rapped for ages. Daniel told us his life story, how he had become a muel, how he was he reckons done over etc. We sit and chat for hours....picking his brain for as many details of the prison. He also told us that there was trouble in the prison as an ex president was in the prison when we were there. He allegedly ordered a village of around 30 Bolivians to be killed! The strike that I mentioned earlier had something to do with this ex president. People speculate as to why he is in San Pedro. The dont know if he is in their for his own safety or for his crimes! Anyways as we were leaving the prsion we couldn´t leave the way we came as there were a group of angry protesters outside calling for this guys head on a plate!

Headed to Oliver Travels (the local) after being safely let out of prison. We all were in need of serious drink as the tour really leaves you a bit edgy! Had a fun night with the girls partying in the hostel! playing drinking games and celebrating our freedom.....We never want to go to prison. But if we had to go....San Pedro would be our 1st choice for sure.

Our next adventure was the Salt Flats in Uyuni! We caught a dodge Trans Omar bus from La Paz to Uyuni. Bus ride from hell. Supposed to leave at 8pm and arrive 7am the following day......that is what they said.(Never catch the local buses always the tourist bus) We arrived at around 1pm the following day. Worst bus ride ever, bumpy as hell! Reason for our delay...well, we were in the desert and the bus broke down. They would try fix it, we would move around 100meters and then stop the bus, someone would jump out the bus, run back about 50 meters to collect our fan belt which kept on dropping out the back of the friggin bus!

"DAVID vs GOLIATH"

We spent the nite in Uyuni and jumped onto a 3 day 4x4 trip through the salt plains and the worlds driest dessert. 8 people in a 4 x 4, very cosy. We did it with 4 Irish girls. The salt flats are pretty amazing......white for as far as the eye can see....to see just how amazing it is, you would have to look at our photos on FB. Words could do it no justice....After we left the salt plains it was into the dessert......now this just involved a lot of driving....and I mean a lot of driving. But perhaps another highlight of this dessert in the salt lakes dotted around the desert swarming with pink flamingos. Who ever said the dessert is freezing at nite.....was NOT lying! So cold that we contemplated sharing 1 sleeping bag to keep warm with body heat. On the last day before reaching the Chile/Bolivia border we stopped of at geysers which were extremely hot and with horrible smells of sulphur....and the highlight hot natural salt springs....We wasted no time climbing in...35 degree water and so good for your skin......

This brought the end of chapter 4 of "ROADTRIPPIN THE SPHERE". Bolivia....what a place, highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed....

Destination 2: Peru - Lima, Cusco and Macchu Pichu

"BUMP IT......WORLD"

SOUTH AMERICA HERE WE COME.....HOLD ON

So 1 day late its welcome to the South America continent, namely Peru. Well being told that in South Africa we live in a third world country we were probably not prepared for the REAL 3rd world.....LIMA.....We jump in our cab and head for Mirraflores the wealthy district of Lima(as recommended by the Lonely "Lying" Planet), namely the Flying Dog backpackers....We are both mouth open/wide eyed as our taxi driver frantically makes his way through the traffic....The driving style is 1 hand on the wheel , 1 on the horn and GO! Road rules? Lines on the raod? These are both non existent....We thought world tour was going to end day 4! But after some hair raising moments we surprisingly arrived at our backpackers unscathed .... checked in and heading straight for the bar, well the pool table, but in order to use the table we have to buy a beer! Honestly we wanted cokes, but what can a boy do? We meet an Aussie and NZ guy straight up who instantly told us we were all heading out! Bartini was were it was all happening! Really great place full of Locals....it became very quickly apparent that in Peru, plastic surgery was not just for the wealthy. and this girls compete with barbie when it comes to plastic......But had a fantastic night and managed to meet many locals. Things in South America only get going at 1am so when I say we rolled in at 6 am, don't judge us....After all when in Rome! Well we spent the next 4 days exploring Lima with some of the locals we had met. Unfortunately in Lima you never really ever feel safe. Always needing to watch over your shoulder and look out for getting ripped off by the many taxis....I think about 60% of all Lima´s cars are taxis and at push maybe 5% of those are road worthy! But it all added to the experience..... In central Lima you can see the strong Spanish Influence and some parts really do not look 3rd world. Well at least 1 pedestrian street and 2 squares that is. There is a massive police presence and all armed to the teeth. We also visited the catacombs of the San Francisco Monks....Very interesting. Only 35 monks remain there today! We also went to a great locals hang out the one night called El Sergeanty, dedicated to the Beatles. Really really good and very big nite!And so on the 6th of October it was time to head for Cusco(small dog) Previosly Cuzco but changed by the Spanish....This city is at 3600m above sea level, that is the top of most European ski resorts, so as you can imagine Oxygen is in short supply and simply walking around you find yourself sucking hard for air! Cusco is considered the tourist capital of SOUTH AMERICA. This soon becomes apparent, you feel very safe and the squares are extremely beautiful and well kept! The squares are all filled with amazing flowers and beautiful buildings. After checking into our hotel, we get a guided tour of the city....(its not very big 590000 people) but the highlight being the food market. We learn that Peruvians eat everything.....and I mean everything! From full frogs to cows mouthes....you will understand when you see the photos! Very colourful and amazing to see! and the fruit juices prepared in front of you with milk are to die for! and at 3 soles (roughly 1 dollar US) its a bargain....After the guided tour we end up back in the main square....We then find out every Sunday the military and the Police do a massive and very impressive parade to raise the countries flag. This last for about 5 hours and is performed to perfection. Not something you would expect from a 3rd world country! We obviously don´t sit through the whole thing! But were none the less well impressed! It was then time for a spot of breakfast, we found a cute little cafe and made ourselves comfy. We got chatting to 2 danish girls and organised to meet up for drinks later. They turned out to be great fun and up for a bit of a party...So we hung out together for 2 nights, thats 2 agressively big nites. This after being told by our tour guide not to drink for at least 2 days! Oops.....it doesn´t take a lot to get drunk at that alitude, so its not our fault. The 9th of October we did the sacred valley tour. We visited some great Inca ruins and learnt all about the history of the Inca people. Their beliefs in the Upper, middle and lower world. Fire, Water and earth. Mother earth was very importnat to them. and they never mined for their buildings but rather had to wait for rocks to break off to use them for thier buildings! It was really amazing to see the ruins of the buildings that they made and just how they did so many years ago without technology! Its was was a whole day tour of information. An interesting thing we saw was a small Christo Blanco (White Christ statue) Given to the people of Cusco by the Arabs. Which is weird as the Arabs don´t believe in Christ, but it was a gift as the people of Cusco gave them a place to stay while there were problems in their own country!

"BRRRRRR....ITS COLD IN HERE"

So we arrive at our first trek. Now we do not camp, we do not trek and we do not climb....but we definitely don´t do all of these in the rain. So the start of the Lares trek, an alternative to the Inca trail...and it started off in pouring rain! so after a 4 hour drive we arrived at the start of our 3 day trek. Our guide Victor introduced us to our chef, porters, our 2 donkeys, then donned our B-E-A-U tiful ponchos and set of. During our drive we stop at a bakery to pick up loads of small bread roll like things to hand out to the kids we will meet along the way. Victor our guide is great and the fun begins. The surroundings are absolutely breath taking and it reminds us of hiking in the drakensberg. Its cold and wet but we are not in London working so it has a whole different meaning.

"BREAD.....THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO?"

Its not long before we meet our first children. They are extremely adorable and very well mannered. They don{t ask for bread but come running up to you with the excitement of western kids on christmas eve. As you hand them a "pan" (thats bread in spanish - we are now fluent!) their faces light up on the utter a nervous "gracious", they are very cute. Now we say camping but really this is slightly better than that. Our food (3 course meals) are prepared in a cooking tent with chairs and table, our sleeping tents are erected for us, pur sleeping mats are blown up and laid out for us and in the morning its all packed up....Most certainly our kinda camping! The first nite we sleep amongst the water right below snow capped mountains at 4400m....its still raining and its cold.

"DOGS LOVE THE WIND IN THEIR FACES"

Day we have an early start, but not with out a quick 2 course breaky.... its a hard hour up to the highest level of the trail 4600 m with snow at our feet. At the pass we have beautiful views of the valley the one side and a tourquise lake the other side. The sun is out and the trekking is .... i´m happy to say....not so bad. Its 8 hours of walking to camping spot number 2, passing through amazing terrain and rural settlements. Day 3 we have a short day tha brings us to Olyantambo.... where we are to catch the train to Maichu Picchu. 40 kms completed and buns walking like John wayne because he hiked with no jocks.

"ITS A WONDER OF THE WORLD"

The next stop was Maichu pichu which is simply amazing, we can do no justice trying to explain this wonder to you. You simply need to go for yourself...... The ruins are simply amazing. The first 400 people up get the option of climbing Wyna Pichu. which climbs 800m in a matter of a 30 min climb. its pretty intense and nerve racking but the view from the top is stunning. You look down on the ruins through the clouds....have a look at the pics!

After that it was back to Cusco to get back on the beers after 3 dry dry days. No man should be on holiday and go a day without a cervesa ( beer in spanish - we told you we were fleunt) So it was a couple more nites in loki hostel Cusco (anyone going that way its the place to stay) before we started our journey for Bolivia!

Peru.....a success, cheap, fun and beautiful....but very 3rd world.

Destination 1: USA - Miami, the Beginning

"MIAMI BABY"

So a quick update about our amazing adventure trip of a lifetime, aka ROADTRIPPIN THE SPHERE!So we left London on the 27 Sept bound for Miami Florida, We arrived to Durban like conditions of sweltering humidity and high temperatures. But of cos these were happily welcomed after another dismal summer on the mud island....We quickly located the accommodation kiosk and the head wasted no time putting his expertise of excellent hostel selection to work. The Tropics hostel, Miami South Beach! Being new budget backpackers we bypassed the the famous yellow American cabs and headed straight for the bus terminal! So starts our first adventure, catching a bus in a foreign country (at least they speak English, or should we say American?) After a quick 15 min wait up pulls the bus we with the excitement of teenagers we throw our packs onto our backs and line up for the bus....only to find we do not have the correct change. The bus only takes exact fare! Guy flutters his eyelids and the bus driver crumbles, he lets us pay for 1 and on we clambered backpacks, sleeping bags, day-packs and jackets! We are on the way! Little did we know that on this painfully slow bus trips we would encounter more characters than a Disney movie. Julian having been to Miami knew that South beach was not going to be like this. Guy on the hand, was like a dear in the headlights! But its not long before things start looking up....Guy breathes a sigh of relief!We arrived at our awesome backpackers (oh yes, 25m pool included) well done guy. No time was wasted in dropping off our bags and hitting the pool to cool off our now very fair London skin! We spent a very lazy hour by the pool before exploring the streets of South Beach....the street cafes and the ice cold beer of cos. Saturday night in Miami........so we kick started our world tour. We crawled into bed at 3am after an epic 24 hour day; beers, planes, pool, sun and clubs....we were exhausted. Guy managed to show me just how exhausted he was by falling asleep in the queue to 1 of the clubs, standing up whats more!

"ITS 5 O´CLOCK SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD"

Sunday, after a wee sleep and some quality time poolside we headed for the beach. We slowly walked 16 blocks stopping occasionally to enjoy the warm water while constantly admiring the scenery! Until we arrived at Nikki beach club Miami beach. Awesome outdoor club famous world wide.... We decided this was most certainly a place we could kill sometime in and headed straight back to the hostel to crab our dancing shoes..... We were cooked dinner by our new Aussie friends Jill and Adam, who then decided it would be rude not to join us.... Unfortunately as we got in the car the rain arrived, so our Nikki Beach Club experience was short loived. After a short pub crawl home we called it a night.Here is where our first travel mistake occurs. So I went to the safe to get my mobile phone to set an alarm for our 5am wake up. Only to find the safe does not open! The reception tells us the guy who can open the safe will be in at 5 am and will wake us up open the safe and we can be on our way! This of cos did not happen! So long story short....we miss our flights to Peru! But lucky guy turns on the charm like a light switch once more and the airline does not charge us for this mistake and books us on a flight for the next day! Disaster averted!