15th November

Fought the urge to pee in the outside toilet during the night as it was freezing cold (slept in my sleeping bag under the covers). Breakfast was pancakes and tea. Basic but tasty. We met the others at the port. Said farewell to Juana and shook her leathery hand goodbye. The journey to the Taquile islands was rough. Just before we docked Jean (Canadian) rushed to the toilet to be sick. Never seen her move so fast. Ted was his unemotional self and let her get on with it. There was a big hike to the highest point on the island but the town had little to offer. In fact, the general consensus was this morning was definitely the low point of the tour so far.

We agreed to skip lunch to get back to Puno as soon as possible. We arrived around 3. After a much needed shower we went to lunch to a place near the hotel called "Great Restaurant" which as you might have guessed failed to live up to its name.The service was rubbish and the food was cold but to be honest we were so hungry we would have eaten anything.

We met Rocky and Tony at out hotel at 7 and then the rip started in earnest. After many a Pisco Sour, Cuba Libre and cerveza we were all steaming. Brigeen and Willie were in good form and the Craic was had by all. It was a great night - one of the best I have had so far on my travels and Dan, if you are reading this I have to say you would have failed to beat me at the sir-guitarring again as the state of jeans now proves.

It wasn't that late a night by Buenos Aires standards (1.30am) but as the photos show I doubt we would have lasted much longer. Having said that some hardy folk went clubbing but I had had enough by then.

Luckily we have a lie-in tomorrow and don't leave Puno until 3pm.