Why Peru ?

Early 2005 I was given a book to read by a friend of mine whilst I was going through some personal issues - the book was The Celestine Prophecy www.celestinevision.com ) by James Redfield - basically the book is about an ancient manuscript found in Peru and highlights 9 insights of life, the first being that of coincendences, and of them being "signs" or "pathways". A few weeks later, I opened a newspaper and saw a charity asking for volunteers to do the Inca Trail in Peru - coincedence ? - I think not.

So here I am, 18 months down the line and its getting closer to actually heading off and seeing what Peru has to "say" to me :-)

Why Anthony Nolan Trust ?

Granted, the charity that advertised in the paper was not ANT, but I looked into the details and discovered that ANT also did the same challenge. I was already a Donor after a campaign in my local village for a woman needing a transplant.

Who am I ?

I'm 32, single and have two children from a previous relationship.

I work in estimating with a nationwide flooring contractor, and in my spare time I teach and train in Choi Kwang-Do Martial Arts. ( www.ckd.org.uk )

I have recently been travelling more than I have in past years, Walked a lot in Barcelona over Christmas, and again in Shetland at Easter.

Training ?

Currently do Martial Arts Classes 3 times a week, will be increasing my walking, and hope to start running again soon ( Pil Sung Ma'am) - cycle a little, and live on the 4th level of a block of apartments - so 50 steps up every time :-)

Just started Geocaching ( www.geocaching.com ) so thats getting me out walking too.

Have been using a breather trainer ( www.ultrabreathe.com ) as well to strenghten lungs for the high altitude walks.

Extended Trip ?

Yes - looking to head off the day after the trek. Leaving from Cuzco on bus to Puno on a tour that takes in Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya & Pukara. We stay overnight in Puno then onto Lake Titicaca from there we travel to The Uros Islands, then to Amantani Island where we stay overnight with a local family. Next day we visit Taquile Island before returning to Puno for the night.

The next day I will take the train that runs back to Cuzco from Puno stay overnight in Cuzco then take a bus to Nazca for an overflight of the Nazca lines and a tour of Nazca sites which include the Cantayoc Aqueducts, paredones and the Artisan Ceramic Workshop. Stay overnight in Pisco then next day take a motorboat excursion to the Ballestas Island, then return to Lima for a night before heading to the airport on the Sunday Morning.

I fly back to the UK about a week after everyone else, then make the journey north to Aberdeen and back to work!!

After Peru ?

Who knows, but watch this space :)

UPDATE :-

Marrakesh, Morocco - Early December

Sharm el Shiek, Egypt - New Years (PADI Scuba Course)

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa - Spring 2009 ? ?