You may have noticed that John’s not been around for a while, and that’s because he’s off exploring South America. I’ve received this email from him that I thought a few of you may be interesting in reading:

Done loads and loads so far; feels like we´ve been here a lot longer than five or six days. We´re in the shadow of a few of the world´s largest mountains - El Misti (just under 6000m) and one that´s 6300m - and they´re all volcanoes. In fact, El Misti is due to blow “any time now", though it gives plenty warning. Scenery is spectacular, even if the mountain passes are really scary at times. LOTS of sitting around in the back of the 4wd truck, but good company as there is a great mix of people. Been up in a Cessna at the famous Nasca lines, climbed up a huge sand dune (200m high ‘ tough work!) and seen the largest sand dune in the world - over 2200m, almost twice Ben Nevis! Had a beach barbie by the pacific, saw hummingbirds in the garden, went out to a huge seabird colony and saw sealions, birds and penguins, about to go to the Erequipa market where you can buy anything from a Donkey, Rats, Food, Cocaine, probably black market guns and I may trade Mrs Clark for a nice Llama.

Next on our trip is an ascent from here up to Puna, which is something like 3000m above sea level. We´ll do Colca canyon, the world´s deepest at over 3000m and see Condor, and then spend a night on the reed islands on Lake Titicaca. Then, we make our way up to Cuzco and in around a week´s time we start on the Inca Trail itself…

Jealous? I know I am….