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bloody hell, this was an unforgettable experience. A group of islands just of the shore of lake titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world as you should remember from high school...but you were too busy laughing when the teacher said "titi") that are constructed of reeds which grow in the shallows; hence the alias "the floating islands". The islanders lives are inextricably linked with these reeds. The houses, boats (like viking longboats with serpent heads), sails, fences etc etc is made from them. The kids scamper around barefoot, and the adults bow to the increasing commercail attraction and pressure you to buy the, admittedly pretty, craftwork. A couple of words of Aymara (the other islands speak quechua) got me some big smiles though. Saw a lonely dog who had his own island and a wee reed wigwam to sleep in. The place is incredible, and we met and chatted to a greatbunch of genuine people. They live almost exactly as they always have for hundreds of years...although they first constructed these islands to escape the dominating inca culture spreading through the area; a concept negated by the influx of tourism. Its a quiet, rainy, bollock freezing time of year here though, so it was tranquil (and rather springy) on the islands.

tomorrow sees an onward leg to Bolivia (La Paz)once the most secure route (but not too pricey of course!) is figured out.

All details of the disgraceful tale moved to http://swedishhighschool.blogspot.com/

they will be accompanied by mp3 fles and phots very shortly

first stories published may 28th (?)

what is there to say, really? This place is phenomenal, and all it is cracked up to be for sure. When we got there, it was covered in mist, and we only caught occasional glimpses of the ruins. we decided to go on a hike along the last 4 km of the inca trail. was tough going, as we were extremely tired, and reached the checkpoiunt to find that we weren´t circling back to the ruins, but in fact needed to double back and walk the same route again!

turned out fine as the sun began to clear the mist, and the way back proved spectacular. i was gobsmacked by the scenery, and of course, when the last corner was rounded, we were able to see machu picchu from way above; in all its glory.

what an incredible experience. I wished my family and friends were there to share it. so mindblowing. Llamas all over the place, as well as the most incredible butterflies. took a nap whil wild chinchillas scarpered around and just watched the sky changing over the sun temple summit.

if you haven´t been here, you have to make a point of it; well worth the sacrifices i guarantee it.

still no word on a resolution to my problem. Instead of a solution popping into my inbox, i have instead been sent an email from my former boss. here are two quotes from it (the full one is in the story, which will go up on www.putfile.com/swedishhighschool within a week?)

"Two students told me that you had promised them to send your Nazi
comrades and thugs to smash me."is this for real? you bet.

They have since asked me (again) to be specific about what i am claiming for, despite the fact that i clearly told them in OCTOBER. I don´t hold much hop out. How do you stay calm and clear headed when people say things like this to you?-

"You really managed to conceal your Nazi sympathies and activities, but there are a couple of students who have started talking."

students are the future, and I am glad they are in safe hands.

in a tiny wee village to catch the train tonight to macchu picchu. Place is breathtaking, but so are the prices. peru is really miling the inca trail thing. locals pay 4 pounds return from here to macchu picchu. i had to pay 25 quid. this was the rock bottom price, as the government regulates it all. we travelled here to see if we could get round it, but no dice. still, what a place.surrounded my mountains, with colonial churches built atop inca relics. Old inca fort (14th century) dominates the skyline above the town, and the locals are extremely friendly, as are their dogs.

tomorrow is the moment i have been waiting forever to arrive: seeing the sunrise over macchu picchu.