When our alarm went off at 3:30 this morning we were less than amused. The cold shower didn't help matters. However, we braced ourselves against the cold dark morning, donned head torches and set off down the road for the Inka Steps. This steep climb up the mountain side is supposed to take you up to the gates of Machu Picchu - a far more genuine affair than the bus ride to the top. However, riddled with man flu and 1/3 of the way up, Craig decided to make a little offering to the Inka gods by building a little vomcano on the trail. This bout of vomiting caused the rest of the group much amusement and even seemed to entertain some of the other pilgrims en route. After drinking down a large can of man-up he was able to continue. We battled our way through the gate crowds to be greeted by a truly amazing spectacle. Watching the sun rise over Machu Picchu is something everyone should put on there list of things to do before you die. After a quick guided tour we set off to climb Wayna Picchu, the towering peak that rises above the city in the sky. Upon seeing the width of the path and the vertical drop of a couple of 1000' the twins decided discretion was the better part of valour and set off on the slightly more gentle ascent to the Sun Gate. In the mean time John and Paddy pressed on up Wayna Picchu, trying their best not to look down, and cracked the 1 hour climb in 25 mins, their legs paid for it later that night. The train journey back to our van was hot and crowded but it had it's moments. The favourite being when Gareth was talking to a girl who we will refer to as Gap Yah, who dropped Paddy's camera earlier that morning whilst taking a group photo. Somehow the she got round to saying ' I thought Dentists were all loaded' to which the immediate retort was 'I'm an Army dentist, and I am loaded'. Outstanding arrogance Hattersley G! The time finally came to vacuum pack ourselves back into the Toyota sauna and survive the 7 hour journey back to Cusco where we grabbed some scran then passed solidly out for the night.