In fact, that title seems to confuse some people. It seems some are not familiar that Paddington Bear is actually from deepest darkest Peru before he arrived at the London station.
So as I readied myself to trek the Inca trail I asked my niece if I was allowed to take the Paddington Bear I had bought her a couple of years prior to keep me company on the trail. She agreed, although I am not sure she really knew what she agreed to if I am honest.
So I was all packed and made my way to LHR (as those in the travel simply refer to Heathrow Airport as) with Paddington hanging out of my day pack.
I was nervous & excited in equal measure. No matter how many trips I join as a solo traveller I always have a bout of the same questions like will the group like me? Will I like the group? What if I am not fit enough? What if my tent mate is crazy?
I checked in met a couple of the group briefly. I calmed down a little as they were nice. I was travelling at the front of the plane so decided to make use of the lounge. I drank some wine (a lot). Was a little tipsy (a lot) and boarded the plane to Colombia.
The journey went quickly and I went to the lounge on arrival in Bogota to refresh and have a little snack. We only had a couple of hours to kill but I decided to go and meet the rest of the group for most of it. As I made my way down to the main concourse I met the group who informed me the flight on to Cuzco was delayed by 7 hours. Yikes. They said they hoped we would be allowed into the business lounge to wait there. I knew I would (obvs not saying it) but fortunately we were all allowed up to the lunge where we grazed on the sandwich buffet for the next 6 hours. This is the life.
In truth it was actually a fun time as I got to know the group pretty well and already knew who I would probably be spending most of my time with on the trip.
So; we arrived in Cuzco and ate (this time in a non buffet style for the first time that day) and went to bed. Not all together, still a bit early for that.
I will make the next 5 days easy for you to understand:
- We did an acclimatization trek around Cuzco the next day.
- The altitude was noticeable but manageable.
- Our guide (Victor) clearly had no watch. He said we'd be back at the hotel at 2pm.
- At 5pm we arrived back at the hotel.
- I did; however love how he used to say that everything was " a piece of cookie".
- Steve (our trek leader) was a good person to trek behind due to his nice behind.
- Cuzco is beautiful.
- I trekked a lot with my two favourites Sal and Ceri.
- They made me laugh, I enjoyed their company and they also used to work in travel.
- Sal used to be a dolly for British Caledonian which has always been a favourite brand of mine.
- Trish was the eldest of the group at 71 and was travelling alone.
- She was trekking to raise money for Parkinson's UK.
- She told me about her husband who passed away three years ago from Parkinson's.
- He'd had it since he was 30.
- She said he'd have loved Peru, she looked at the sky and said "well, I'm here for you now Richard".
- It was incredibly touching.
- I lit a candle (albeit and electric one) for my parents in the Cathedral in Cusco.
- Day one on the trail was fun, the scenery lovely and not too demanding a trek.
- My tent mate was called Karl and was crazy.
- Just kidding, he was normal.
- Day one camp was right by a river, it was great to sleep with the sound of the water outside.
- The toilet tent was revolting. I avoided it and opted for a "wild" time the rest of the trip.
- I wasn't alone in my thoughts on this.
- I overheard Jacky shout "OH MY GOD" to which I knew which tent she must be entering.
- Day two was tough.
- The climb up to Dead Woman's Pass was relentless but worth it.
- I hadn't been expecting the views to be so stunning.
- Peru, you are indeed a beauty.
- Paddington was excellent company and an awesome model for photos.
- He was also a crowd pleaser to other trekkers (or trampers if you are a Kiwi).
- Reaching Dead Woman's Pass was amazing.
- I had a dull headache from the altitude but nothing a Mars bar didn't resolve.
- Karl tripped over a rock and hurtled towards the edge.
- It was hilarious once I knew he wasn't going to fall or hurt himself.
- Seeing Trish arrive at the top was emosh.
- Ceri regaling that she chose a spot to admire the view only to hear a trekker trump made me LOL.
- Day three was my favourite day.
- The sights were just phenomenal.
- We didn't see any other groups on the trail.
- We knew each other well enough to construct a horror film called "The Trek" starring ourselves.
- It's a killer thriller.
- Spoiler alert: Steve was the primary killer.
- He through me off the mountain into a rainbow (a nice ish way to go).
- James Franco will play me in the film.
- Yes, I upgraded myself there a touch.
- The overnight camp atop the mountain was amazing.
- We watched a storm come in across the valley to then release hailstones on us.
- A early start to trekking the next day saw us enjoy sunrise along the way.
- I was more and more in love with Peru (and the face of Lennon our support guide) each second.
- Victor wasn't able to tell stories or history in a condensed fashion.
- He was nice though and made me laugh with his constant reminder "it's a piece of cookie".
- Victor had told us once we reached the Sun Gate we were one hour from Machu Picchu.
- We climbed up to the gate and went through it.
- There it was, Machu Picchu below us.
- It was a surprise to me as I hadn't expected to see it from the gate.
- We had made it.
- It was emotional hugging the group to congratulate each other.
- Moira (Mum) and Amy (daughter) from our group were also trekking for Parkinson's UK.
- Their husband / Dad had Parkinson's and was due to get the train from Cuzco to meet them.
- As we ate our picnic on the grass by the gate they spotted him.
- He had walked up the one hour from Machu Picchu to see them.
- It must have taken him a good few hours.
- Impossible not to have tears in your eyes when they embraced him.
- We trekked to Machu Picchu.
- It is stunning and worth the four day trek (and smelling amongst the non trekkers at the site).
- The shower back at the hotel was a good one.
- We had a celebration meal and a few Pisco Sours (it is Peru after all).
- We went for a few after drinks.
- It got out of control and we went to a club through what seemed like doors made of Buzz Lightyear.
- After a few minutes on the dancefloor the altitude was again apparent.
- We got used to it and went to another club.
- Mama Africa, you changed my life.
- A club I urge you to visit, I hope they play the Jive Bunny Megamix for you too.
- Peru, you were one of my favourite trips ever.
- I cannot thank you enough.
So as I readied myself to trek the Inca trail I asked my niece if I was allowed to take the Paddington Bear I had bought her a couple of years prior to keep me company on the trail. She agreed, although I am not sure she really knew what she agreed to if I am honest.
So I was all packed and made my way to LHR (as those in the travel simply refer to Heathrow Airport as) with Paddington hanging out of my day pack.
I was nervous & excited in equal measure. No matter how many trips I join as a solo traveller I always have a bout of the same questions like will the group like me? Will I like the group? What if I am not fit enough? What if my tent mate is crazy?
I checked in met a couple of the group briefly. I calmed down a little as they were nice. I was travelling at the front of the plane so decided to make use of the lounge. I drank some wine (a lot). Was a little tipsy (a lot) and boarded the plane to Colombia.
The journey went quickly and I went to the lounge on arrival in Bogota to refresh and have a little snack. We only had a couple of hours to kill but I decided to go and meet the rest of the group for most of it. As I made my way down to the main concourse I met the group who informed me the flight on to Cuzco was delayed by 7 hours. Yikes. They said they hoped we would be allowed into the business lounge to wait there. I knew I would (obvs not saying it) but fortunately we were all allowed up to the lunge where we grazed on the sandwich buffet for the next 6 hours. This is the life.
In truth it was actually a fun time as I got to know the group pretty well and already knew who I would probably be spending most of my time with on the trip.
So; we arrived in Cuzco and ate (this time in a non buffet style for the first time that day) and went to bed. Not all together, still a bit early for that.
I will make the next 5 days easy for you to understand:
- We did an acclimatization trek around Cuzco the next day.
- The altitude was noticeable but manageable.
- Our guide (Victor) clearly had no watch. He said we'd be back at the hotel at 2pm.
- At 5pm we arrived back at the hotel.
- I did; however love how he used to say that everything was " a piece of cookie".
- Steve (our trek leader) was a good person to trek behind due to his nice behind.
- Cuzco is beautiful.
- I trekked a lot with my two favourites Sal and Ceri.
- They made me laugh, I enjoyed their company and they also used to work in travel.
- Sal used to be a dolly for British Caledonian which has always been a favourite brand of mine.
- Trish was the eldest of the group at 71 and was travelling alone.
- She was trekking to raise money for Parkinson's UK.
- She told me about her husband who passed away three years ago from Parkinson's.
- He'd had it since he was 30.
- She said he'd have loved Peru, she looked at the sky and said "well, I'm here for you now Richard".
- It was incredibly touching.
- I lit a candle (albeit and electric one) for my parents in the Cathedral in Cusco.
- Day one on the trail was fun, the scenery lovely and not too demanding a trek.
- My tent mate was called Karl and was crazy.
- Just kidding, he was normal.
- Day one camp was right by a river, it was great to sleep with the sound of the water outside.
- The toilet tent was revolting. I avoided it and opted for a "wild" time the rest of the trip.
- I wasn't alone in my thoughts on this.
- I overheard Jacky shout "OH MY GOD" to which I knew which tent she must be entering.
- Day two was tough.
- The climb up to Dead Woman's Pass was relentless but worth it.
- I hadn't been expecting the views to be so stunning.
- Peru, you are indeed a beauty.
- Paddington was excellent company and an awesome model for photos.
- He was also a crowd pleaser to other trekkers (or trampers if you are a Kiwi).
- Reaching Dead Woman's Pass was amazing.
- I had a dull headache from the altitude but nothing a Mars bar didn't resolve.
- Karl tripped over a rock and hurtled towards the edge.
- It was hilarious once I knew he wasn't going to fall or hurt himself.
- Seeing Trish arrive at the top was emosh.
- Ceri regaling that she chose a spot to admire the view only to hear a trekker trump made me LOL.
- Day three was my favourite day.
- The sights were just phenomenal.
- We didn't see any other groups on the trail.
- We knew each other well enough to construct a horror film called "The Trek" starring ourselves.
- It's a killer thriller.
- Spoiler alert: Steve was the primary killer.
- He through me off the mountain into a rainbow (a nice ish way to go).
- James Franco will play me in the film.
- Yes, I upgraded myself there a touch.
- The overnight camp atop the mountain was amazing.
- We watched a storm come in across the valley to then release hailstones on us.
- A early start to trekking the next day saw us enjoy sunrise along the way.
- I was more and more in love with Peru (and the face of Lennon our support guide) each second.
- Victor wasn't able to tell stories or history in a condensed fashion.
- He was nice though and made me laugh with his constant reminder "it's a piece of cookie".
- Victor had told us once we reached the Sun Gate we were one hour from Machu Picchu.
- We climbed up to the gate and went through it.
- There it was, Machu Picchu below us.
- It was a surprise to me as I hadn't expected to see it from the gate.
- We had made it.
- It was emotional hugging the group to congratulate each other.
- Moira (Mum) and Amy (daughter) from our group were also trekking for Parkinson's UK.
- Their husband / Dad had Parkinson's and was due to get the train from Cuzco to meet them.
- As we ate our picnic on the grass by the gate they spotted him.
- He had walked up the one hour from Machu Picchu to see them.
- It must have taken him a good few hours.
- Impossible not to have tears in your eyes when they embraced him.
- We trekked to Machu Picchu.
- It is stunning and worth the four day trek (and smelling amongst the non trekkers at the site).
- The shower back at the hotel was a good one.
- We had a celebration meal and a few Pisco Sours (it is Peru after all).
- We went for a few after drinks.
- It got out of control and we went to a club through what seemed like doors made of Buzz Lightyear.
- After a few minutes on the dancefloor the altitude was again apparent.
- We got used to it and went to another club.
- Mama Africa, you changed my life.
- A club I urge you to visit, I hope they play the Jive Bunny Megamix for you too.
- Peru, you were one of my favourite trips ever.
- I cannot thank you enough.
