The Return of The Mighty George.

Well where do I start? Over the years Bear has been dossing about around the world I always said I would meet up with him somewhere, Everest for example but I never got out of bloody Stoke! So this time I bloody made it and what a great decision it was. Obviously the travel over there was a pain in the butt and to be honest a little intimidating at first. After the long flight it was a quick breakfast then off again to Cusco. Straight away when we arrived I noticed the altitude with me gasping for air a little at first. We then found a lovely hostel to stay near the main square not far from the local pubs! Cusco itself was a well smart place and was a really good base to explore the surrounding sites in which have got to agree with my mate that Sacsayhuaman was the most impressive even though when we got there I had some major sunburn on my neck, that's the gamble if you forget to bring suncream! The next day we went on a private trip to the Sacred Valley which brought us some more magical views of the mountains and by this time I thought Bears camera was going to blow up it was been used that much! Saying that though this is when I started to bond with my Fuji s5600 which Chris (2g's) Baggerly had lent me (nice one fat fingers). The highlight of the day was the Inca site of Ollantaytambo which was superb. Then the day had arrived - THE INCA TRAIL . We where picked up at 5am which was no problem after a cup of cocoa tea Christ that stuff is great for the morning! The first day we were told, was the easiest which was true but was no walk in Hanley park with much of it uphill & the heat of the sun bearing down on you. Then we get onto camping. Let just say I won't be rushing out down the local camping store to buy a tent. First night was a novelty which lasted about 5 hours! When that bloody cockerel kicked off. The second day was really hard work with the climb to Dead Women's pass but it was worth the sweat to get those views. Again as Bear says the third day was the best with the many Inca sites, different sorts of countryside and not many steep climbs. Mind you the decent down 1000 Inca steps was harsh on the old knees and I thought my left calf was going to explode. Then finally on the 4th day it was to the holy grail Machu Picchu. Up at 3:30 am after a crap nights sleeps in that bloody tent it was the final climb to what we had come for. To be honest I thought that all the guides etc where really building the place up too much compared to the already superb sites we had seen. WRONG - what a place, it takes your breath away (or was that the altitude again?) By this time I had become a right camera mad tourist and could not get enough shots of the place just awesome. All in all the Inca trail is the best thing I've ever done and would encourage anyone to save your pennies and get over there. The group we had were a great bunch and I think myself and Bear kept them entertained by our stupid humour. Although the Polish women had faces like a slapped arse most of the time which was a shame. Next day - what a come down! How do you top that? That day turned out to be a weird one which started with ourselves having to move hotels to a 4 star place! Then bumping into Martin the flying Dutchman off the trek, then whilst enjoying a beer & watching football with Bear & Martin 3 more fellow trekkers (Abbi, Rachael & Nigel) walk in the pub. As Bear said I got a little carried away but I think I will leave it at that! The second was a times hard work with all the striking going on around Arequipa (or harry kipper as it is known). Again it was a lovely city situated in a valley below a volcano. We dropped on another well smart hostel, I tell you the Bear finds the places. (are you reading Baggerly?) The Colca Canyon was another highlight with those bloody condors well impressive. Unfortunately then it was time to start thinking about going home. What a bummer! I was so tempted to stay another week or even to tell work to sod off but there you go I didn't and so last night I was back in the bloody Red Cow again, oh how the so called "mighty" have fallen. All in all I had the time of my life and it was great to see Bear on form again. We had a right good laugh and he might just see me sooner than he thinks.
You never know.
George.

(posted by coop on behalf of George)