hannah

Hola chicos!
sorry its been so long again. Been busy busy busy having lots of fun.
For the last 10 days we've found ourselves stuck again, in a beautiful town called Huaraz surrounded by snow capped mountains. We made our way from the coast on a 12 hour bus through the most spectacular canyon which was well worth the trip. We arrived a bit weary, but found the most lovely hostel, just like a family home which suits when you're constantly on the move. We are still travelling with the same group of beautiful people from around the world, however we lost the mountain climbing boys, them being too eager to go off and climb the highest peaks around (in avalanche season of course).
We did a day walk to a georgeous lake at 4700metres which nearly killed me. The altitude makes my whole body feel like something resembling lead. Its all forgotten though when you reach the top and see a crystal blue lake with glaciars surrounding and huge peaks soaring overhead! (sounds good doesnt it!) This walk helped me to acclimatise for the 5 day Santa Cruz trek which passes through the Cordillera Blanca, an area said to have the most spectacular mountain views in Peru.
Walking here however takes on different meaning as we paid $25 a day to have all our stuff carried by donkeys, tents set up for us before we arrive at camp, all meals prepared and served, dishes done, and hot water in a basin outside your tent in the morning. Doesnt make me feel very hardcore, but makes for some well fed, pleasant smelling hikers.
The walk was absolutely amazing, the most spectacular views of mountain peaks with visits to glacial lakes and camping by roaring rivers. I felt so fit even after the first day on which we headed up to about 4900metres. I even briefly considered doing a 2 day summit ascent today with a group of friends, but then got some more oxygen to my brain and came to my senses!
I enjoyed all this beauty however without my trusty travel companion. I took poor Rhiannon to hospital here before the trek with a nasty intestinal infection. She was a very unwell girl who was however determined to give the walk a try, but had to leave us on the second day cos she was too sick. It seems to have been a good choice however as I got back to her grinning ear to ear thanks to one particular spunky english boy. Yay.
Had my first bout with sickness myself last night, throwing up 2 minutes after ordering the biggest most expensive pizza on the menu. bugger... I think it was a little bit of exhaustion after finishing the trek, and then going out dancing till 6 in the morning. he he he. Danced the Salsa and Meringue for hours, which was more exhausting than the mountain passes on the walk. Its so great learning how to dance properly and fun fun fun!
So we're off to Lima tonight on the night bus. Sad to leave here because there is so much more we could do. Unfortunately we are running out of time on this leg, despite cutting Bolivia out of the plans because of political troubles. I've decided to change my flights around so I'll be in Buenos Aires for New Year - very exciting, so if anyone fancies a big party, come and join me there!
Hope everyone is well
Happy birthday to Lee (and very belated to Grandma)
love to all
Hannah
XOXOX

helloooooo,
its been so long, Im sorry! But, despite having a sprained ankle and minor sunstroke all is extremely well. Since I last wrote we've done so much, the time has passed without me knowing. We went down south in Ecuador to a place called Vilcabamba, a tiny town with a mini paradise as a hostel. It had a pool, a bar a restaurant and lovely staff with views over a valley where it is said the inhabitants live longer than anywhere else. Not sure, but looks good! We headed off on a two day horse ride up to the local national park, not before booking a one hour full body massage for our return! The ride was great, just Rhiannon and I and a 50 year old cowboy! We stayed at a hut he built up near the cloud forest - quite spectacular at dawn the next morning. Riding was fun, not toooo painful! We galloped half the way home which was such a rush - no helmets or anything though. I guess theres not the public liability issues here!
The massage was divine - really WHOLE body which is a new experience! Our rockclimbing mates rocked up that evening which was great, cos there was a full moon party at the hostel that night - lots of locals, live music (Buena Vista Social Club style) and proper dancing - with partners and all. I danced with the bands drum player who looked like ghandi.
Had another couple of days there with more horse riding and getting up at 4 in the morning to climb a mountain to watch the sunrise. Was fantastic, although thats where the ankle comes in. Fell in a drain the night before, but didnt want to miss out on the walk so pushed it a bit, nevermind.
Then we were off to Peru. A group of 7 of us headed off for the night bus. Rode to Loja in the back of a pick up truck under the most fantastic starry night which was soo lovley. The bus took 9 hours overnight, including a border crossing at about 4 in the morning. We had to get off the bus and walk across the border - felt like a movie. All went quite smoothly despite Peru not being awake yet. Had to bash on the door for a while to wake immigration up. So back on the bus and driving along we encountered a makeshift barricade across the road of sticks and rubbish. All the locals seemed quite alarmed and yelled 'dont open the door'. The driver went around it and continued, but was hailed down by a guy on a motorbike yelling in spanish, so we had no clue. The driver immediately turned around and went back to the border where we sat for a while, the locals making gun signs to their heads in order to explain what was going on.... We then had two guys with machine guns hop on the bus and we set off again, through five of these barricades, with apparently no hitches (somehow I fell asleep). Turns out there are robbers who stop the tourist buses and demand money...
So all fun and games in Peru. We landed in Piura and proceeded to get very ripped off by money changers - doing magician tricks with couterfeit notes. I lost about $50. Nevermind. We then caught more buses through the most stark, miserable desert style landscape (that may have just been me feeling a bit rotten), with shanty style towns all around. Felt a bit yuck at this stage, but we came to a beach outside of Trujillo to a hostel with a yummy breakfast made by a 78 year old swiss lady. Homemade Jam yum. Visited some inca ruins yesterday which was really interesting, a whole city and a couple of huge temples. This morning I went fishing in the sea on the traditional reed boats. Was very proud of myself being the only girl to give it a go. It was hard paddling out through the surf, however I caught no fish!! The 3 other boys caught quite a few and the guy who took us out took them home to his wife who made them up for our lunch which they brought to the hostel. Fantasitic! But, being out there for 3 hours, I got really burnt and feel really wierd right now, kind of hot and cold fevery. So Ive been resting up in bed. Gotta take time out every now and then.
So basically its been busy busy and theres so much more I could tell, but itd be a bit long. Getting in the swing of things and cant believe its been a month already.
Hope all are well.
Miss you all lots
Love Hannah

Hi all,
itll be a short one today cos Ive got a funny tummy... oooooh trouble!
All is well though. Spent a fantastic 3 days in Cajas national park walking and watching our companions climb rock walls. Strange past time really - I gave it a go but didnt get too far! Saw these great big white llamas that made the same sound as the snow beast thingys in Star Wars.
Went to see some inca ruins today, which was interesting, although there was very little information available to know exactly what was what. The highlight was riding in the back of a ute to the bus stop with 5 or 6 locals hanging off the sides, and overtaking buses round blind corners. The drivers must have some sort ESP skill here.
Anyway el baño calls.
hope everyone is great.
lots of love to all
Hannah

helloooo,
We're in a lovely town called Cuenca at the moment - Ecuadors third largest city, and its most beautiful. Its so different here from everywhere else - clean, no dogs, no potholes, cobbled streets and the architecture is lovely (wish mum was here). Getting here consisted of a 7 hour train ride with a difference... we sat on the roof of the train which was excellent. Only a couple of hiccups - the train derailed in the first five minutes and then again about a mile later, but pretty much smooth sailing after that. Enjoyed the ride despite the length, the views were sensational as we went down the Devils Nose Switchback, and of course there were the enterprising snack salesmen risking their lifes balancing up and down the train roof to sell the tourists chocolate and water.
We've hooked up with a few travellers from Australia and England for a few days which is nice, sometimes good to be in a group. Overall though, we've felt really safe here. The people are really kind and helpful and we've not encountered any problems as two female travellers.
So, not sure what the plan is over the next few days, Ill fill you in soon.
Lots of love
H