Day 73 (Cont) - After the stresses of the Inca Trail and the mammoth climb up the overlooking mountain we left Machu Pichu and went down to the local town called Aguas Caliente or Hot Waters in English. Here we had a farewell buffer dinner with our super trekkers group and then once almightly stuffed we went to the hot springs to relax the aching muscle for the afternoon until our train back to Cusco arrived.

After catching the train the trip that had so far run smoothly hit a little snag. For the final part of the journey we were suppose to get a bus back, however no bus turned up and 40 tired people were not best pleased. In the end we just paid for a local mini bus to take us back and got the tour company to pay for it. Once back I could not have been looking forward to a bed anymore…

Day 74 - Big old lie in today but once I was up I was rather sore. I wonder what could have caused that?

Today we caught a flight to Lima. Originally we were going to get the bus but that took 20-27hrs. One what kind of estimation is that, and two no thanks. Three days left so lets spend at least one whole one on a bus. Once in Lima we paid an extortionate amount to a taxi driver to take us into the city and booked into the Loki Hostel, which has a very nice roof top terrace area with a bar and table-tennis facilities.

It was very nice to finally be back at sea level after over a month. We all felt pretty energetic being able to walk down the street without getting out of breathe. It was also nice to be back in constant heat. Lima was boiling!

That evening was the evening of truth. I was finally going to get the tickets that had caused so much agro. If only the silly air company used e-tickets as we are in the 21st century after all. I met Fr Jonathan, the priest Mick knew in Lima - as you do, who doesn`t know a priest in Lima? - and he gave me the tickets, which were correct. Very relieved! We then had a couple of beers before I went to find everyone else so that we could explore the bright lights of Mira Flores in Lima.

Day 75 - Big bad Ellis` birthday. In the morning we went to a giant market were they sold everything you could think of. All the stuff was really and bargains could be found, with time. Unfortunately I had already accumulated enough rubbish from this trip to fit anything else in my bag, and we also didn`t want to spent too long there because we wanted to watch the Man U Barca game.

After the game we went for some afternoon birthday beers and then ended up not getting back to the Hostel until around 8pm. When we had returned we met alot of people that we had encountered on our travels, all of whom had come to celebrate Ellis` birthday - arrhhh… A super super super night was had by all. Oh yes.

On my way home form the nights fun I decided to pick up a McDonalds breakfast. Outside the place was a little homeless boy sleeping, or at least trying to but the policia were moving him on. Therefore I invited `Daniel` into Maccers for a good old breakie…

Day 76 - An emotional day if ever there was one. It was the final day of the trio`s travels. For his last day Jonny had a grande pizza from Pizzahut for his breakfast. It was his little treat. On the whole we just chilled out today and watch Liverpool unfortunately lose to flucky Chelsea. Oh well.

We also had one last nice meal together and then said our goodbyes to everybody and to each other. I`m sure Ellis had a tear as Jonny and I headed off to the airport. He was joining the Irish girls in a bus trip up to Ecuador where he was flying to Panama to meet his girlfriend Catherine.

At the airport Jonny and I parted ways with him going back to England, and me heading back to Buenos Aires - wooo wooo.