mentioned previously, we wouldn’t mind so much if we thought we were somehow helping a poverty stricken people, but it was blatantly obvious that this wasn’t the case!!

On the way back to the hostel we were tempted into a bar for a quick beer by the happy hour and promise of free nibbles!! The nibbles never materialised, but the beer was cheap and went down nicely. Afterwards we wandered a little way out of the main touristy area and managed to find a five course set meal which was well tasty and not too harsh on the pocket!! After that it was a fairy early night as we were getting up at 5.30 to get to the ruins as early as we could.

Actually the only annoying thing about the hostel we stayed in was that although breakfast was included, and self service, it didn’t start until

5.45, when the first bus to Machu Picchu was at 5.30 to get there when the gates opened and be the first there. Still we hauled ourselves out of bed and were on the 6.15 bus, still way ahead of most of the Inca trail people, and hours ahead of anyone visiting for the day by train. The bus was another rip off so we decided to catch it up there, and then walk back down later on.

As we ascended up the mountain we were in and out of the clouds - and this is where the scenery really did start to be impressive. We must have gone round fifteen or so hairpin bends before finally reaching the entrance. Once again the subject of money reared it’s ugly head as we discovered that again even though we had paid twenty quid to get in we still had to pay extra to go to the loo!! We were desperately trying to forget about being ripped off and enjoy our visit, but they weren’t making it