The Sven Ericsson Bridge in Paucartambo

(Sven Ericsson constructed the road to the jungle)

Faria Alam Mouthwash Factory not pictured

Day One - April 22nd 2006

A knock on the door at 7.30am started my journey to Manu.
Initial progress was slow with the bus getting stuck in Cusco’s latest maze of closed streets and processions.
Finally we managed to get aboard and I said my goodbyes to Esther, Salvador and Simone.
Salvador looked particularly baffled as I was snaffled up by the truck without even a back window to wave from as we pulled away along Avenida de Sol.
As we made our way through the suburbs it soon became apparent that one of the Atalaya staff had realised that we were missing a passenger, cue a mad dash back into the city to collect our remaining group member.
By now we were running about an hour and a half late.
A spectacular journey over 12000ft peaks and through the town of Paucartambo brought us to the entrance to Manu in the early afternoon.
From here we descended into the cloud forest through the afternoon and due to our lateness didn’t get to see the displaying Cock of the Rock’s, by now we were travelling though lush vegetation in the dark with bats whizzing in front of the truck as we splashed through numerous waterfalls.
We arrived in Pilcopata at about 7.30pm and settled in to the albergue with lizards and insects clicking and whirring all around.
I managed to make a quick phone call to Esther before making it back for dinner.
After a lovely meal I ended up having a long talk into the night with Dante before scuttling off to bed along with the cockroaches patrolling my room.