8th November - Inca Trail Day 1

In a word "chaos". They are going to strike after all and it meant we had to get up at 3.30 AM instead. All very rushed. We met 6 new folk on the bus bound for the trail - Charlie and Steve (New Zealand), Marcel and Ils (Holland) and Rocky and Tony (Australia). No one was in a mood to socialise. Far too early. We had breakfast in a different part of Ollantaytambo (Piscacucho) at the start of the 82km marker of the trail. Eggs, toast, jam, coffee, juice - got a feeling I will need every calorie. We went to the trail check point, got passports stamped and set of. Fairly easy walking but this is expected for today. Good to be in the fresh air but I think I am getting a cold. We had a couple of breaks to dehydrate and rehydrate en route to completing our 11km for today. We also visited the remains at Llactapata which was a good opportunity to take photos and take the weight off your legs. Lunch was soup followed by chicken and veg. I went to cut the chicken leg but out spilt clotted blood. Not a great start. A few struggled on the trail. The Canadians were always last to arrive, Jean blamed it on low blood sugar like most overweight people do.

The stories about the porters on the trail were totally justified. They are all about 5' 4" but carry about 30-40 kgs on their back uphill, downhill and running most of the time to set up camp before we arrive. One bloke even carried a stove on his back complete with gas cylinder. They all hurry along the way and only stop for chicha (a weak Cusqueñan beer which looks like fruit juice).

We got to our final destination of Huallaybamba. All the tents were nicely laid out and were bigger than expected. Had a siesta before hot chocolate, popcorn and crackers at 5.30pm.
The campsite toilets - dear God. Nothing could have prepared you for what was in Trap #1. I fear I passed but I have to return later with a torch. Dinner was soup and trout with vegetables. We went to bed straight after. Apparently tomorrow is going to be tough.