I should have had breakfast at 5am (you have to walk across railway tracks to get to the cafe) then catch a bus after 6am to get to Machu Picchu again. Being injured I didn’t feel up to it so I chickened out. Mea culpa.

I wasted time at the hotel doing crosswords, they transported my bag to and from the station which was kind. An interesting train journey, I was sitting with a Spanish speaking family who were amiable, and even offered some of the snacks they had brought with them! On the down side we were suddenly blasted with announcements about a fashion show on board and disco music. The fashion show itself was farcical but my carriage seemed to relish it. I was happy sitting with the Spanish speakers as that avoided being accosted when they came round trying to hard sell the various cloths and scarves!

The driver was ready for me at Ollantaytambo and we collected my big bag from the hotel (who also gouged me for more Sols for my stay!) A bumpy drive back to start with, we had to get past vehicles like the 3-wheel tuk-tuks. Along the roads you see unfinished houses, houses which get finished cost more in tax I think I was told. Also along the roads you can see red ‘balloons’ on poles advertising chicherias (shops selling a local alcohol). In some places women wave yellow balloons to attract buyers. We hit a real traffic jam when we reached Cusco, dancers in glitzy costumes were performing in the main square and roads were closed to help the audience. 

We did eventually reach my latest hotel the Antigua Casona San Blas and someone called Lenin introduced himself as my personal rep here. The hotel feels like a hangover from Spanish aristocracy! I opened the balcony doors to be greeted by firework explosions. A knock on the door heralded not only chocolates as elsewhere but also a hot water bottle! This may be the coldest place on my trip!

A warm log fire is being busy in the candle-lit restaurant, the music features blasts from the past like the Archies “Sugar Sugar”! They don’t have round soup spoons.