The countdown is on

So I have 3 more days after today, and cant wait. I've had a great time here but certainly looking forward to my next adventure in the U.S!!

Since the jungle which was around 3 weeks ago, my time here has just passed with a couple of mountain biking days, sight seeing and shopping. I guess its still a little too early to start reflecting on my time here. But I have certainly had some great experiences and met some great people. There are some things that I wont miss of course, like being sick often. I think that I have been more sick here in the last 11 weeks than I have in the last 2 year plus! I woke up this morning with an upset stomach and dreaded that I might have another bout of sickness so close to my flight. But as I write this I think the worst has passed. 

As much as I am looking forward to the states, it is starting to play on my mind what might happen when I get to the U.K in regards to work etc. But I'll cross that bridge when I get there!

But for now, I am just enjoying my last 3.5 days in Cusco!!  

Its a jungle out there

Manu Jungle, its part of the cloud forest on the outskirts of the

Amazon. We stayed at an "Eco" lodge. Which Im now sure "Eco" is just a good way to charge a high rate but give a low product/ service. Considering that there was no power there fore no hot water! It was an interesting experience starting with the bus ride!

Leaving the house at 4.30 the day after Macha Picchu was a big ask. Because I didn't get home till around 10 the night before and by the time I had packed for the jungle, I probably only managed around 3 hours sleep. I didn't think it would be an issue given that I was staring down the barrel of a 10 hour bus ride.

However due the the first half being ridiculous cold and the 2nd half being a 4wd track that was  not suited for bus's of any kind. Before we hit the gravel I decided to try and lie down on the back seat. However the road was so bumpy I felt like I was back on the Indiana Jones Ride at Disneyland!

I was dropped off a couple of hundred meters up from the lodge, and give 2 box's of food a 20 liter bottle of water as well as my gear. Well not all the water made it, I put the bottle down too fast and on the wrong angle and cracked it. Oppps....

Once I found the place and tried to explain who I was and checking if it was the right place. I went back for the water only to have lost a small amount. Well maybe a 1/4 but the glass was still over half full! 

I was there to volunteer to plant trees which we only ended up doing twice. But it was quite draining having to do physical work again. Which was either  because of the vegetarian diet, the fact that I haven't worked physically in 2 months or due to the humidity. What ever the cause it was more taxing than I would have liked.

I have to admit that by wednesday I was going a bit stir crazy there's only so much reading one can do. I decided not to wear my watch so I found it interesting when after dinner (which we would have when it was dark) my body would tell me to go to sleep. And on the occasion that I looked at my watch it was only 7.30!

One of the highlights was repelling down a water fall without any safety gear of any kind. The rope was more of an aid so that you had to have something to hold on to.

But the monkey was just cool, now I want one as a pet! 

It really is a wonder!

So finally the email is working long enough to update on my adventures!

Going to the town below Macha Picchu ( Im not even going to try and spell it but the english translation is "Hot water'') was an experience, it was the first trip out of Cusco that I have done by myself. Which was a little intimidating given that my spanish is so limited. Even after a few calls to a friend to check that I was on the right bus at the right time heading to the right train station. But I made it there in the end, to meet my Peruvain friend Hans. 

The next day was an early start to get on the bus's early so that we could get tickets to Huayna Picchu, (the mountain in the back of the picture) however we were to late and didn't get the tickets as they only let 400 people up per day. We got there at about 7 and for the next few hours the place was covered in low cloud. It wasn't until around 10am that the cloud started to lift. And the sun came out. But crikey when it did come out it was intensely hot. 

After walking around, up and down the site for a few hours and taking many photos along the way. We had still only seen part of the site. It really is quite big. 

We also walked out to see an Inca Bridge that was built for a second access, but was destroyed to avoid enemies attacking. And then of course reconstructed for the tourists benefit. 

I now know why its one of the wonders of the world -  Its a wonder why they built such a big village/settlement on such a freak'n steep mountain top!

But all the same I am pleased to have gone and tick off one of 42 Wonders of the World that I have to see. ( I have a wonders of the world book,  I would like to see all of them before I die) 

So thats one down....