Piura, Peru

With the starter failing and Inertia coughing up the last of the oil out of the engine and over our legs we roll across the finish line under both Irish and Australian colours. Thanks to all those who donated, followed along with the updates or sent us messages - you're all awesome.

La Libertad Region, Peru

Just decked out the mototaxi in Irish colours for the last couple of days driving.

Pisco, Peru

Currently being smuggled past police checkpoints in the back of a flatbed by a peruvian family on their holiday.

Ayacucho, Peru

Now warmer and sort of dry after the epic fight of driving at 14,000 ft on the precarious dirt roads of the Andes. Highlights include: the brits head-on collision with a local taxi (somehow their mototaxi came out on top), us being run off the road by a semi, being overtaken by the irish (they hired a passing flatbed to take them the rest of the way to Ayacucho... cowards), and the local policia immobilising their car in a ditch after charging us multa.

Andahuaylas District, Peru

With the engine cleaned out and a blown gasket replaced we made it partway across the Andes to Andahuaylas, with a couple of stops to go for a run at 13,000ft and help out our british companions. Oh, and our gear stick broke so we're stuck in 1st for now... @

Day 1 a raging success (of sorts)

With an early rise and both Jake and I almost missing our Cusco flights, we arrived nice and early, wheezing for our 11,200ft ration of air. After an...exciting cab ride with many threats of soiling ourselves, thusly demonstrating the flexible nature of the Peruvian road rules, we arrived at the quaint but characteristic WalkOn Inn just in tie to meet the fabled Dixie Chickens and the Peruvian Connection.

By 11.30 we'd arrived at our test driving location (needless to say, well in advance of the lovely adventurist management team), we were introduced to our noble steeds and started blasting them around the test track. Jake, in his infinite wisdom, decided three wheels was just not challenging enough for our skills and jumped it off a gutter on to two...before promptly side swiping the shit out of another teams mototaxi. Needless to say, soil for all.

 Despite early near death experiences (the first of many I'm sure), we had our beast under control and felt ready to tackle this adventure. A quick crash course in moto-mechanics later and I was feeling pumped to get on the road. So after a 50c lunch (which we tried to pay 5 times to much for and were laughed at by our lovely, honest waitress) we finished up our day of moto-mayhem and headed back to the Plaza de Armas for some dinner. Had some route planning discussions and discovered that the route we were planning on taking may be a dash more challenging than we had thought, we had our cheese burgers (without cheese), some merry discussions, and hit the hay. Ready for some more gut wrenching test driving today and a shopping spree for mechanical bits and pieces. Onwards!

Cuzco, Peru

After 30 hours, 5 airports (none of which had rubber chickens) we can say buenos dias from cuzco! Off now to go pimp out (and learn to drive) our magnificent steed Che Duffy has christened 'the mighty one.'

Lima Region, Peru

after 30 hours of transit we're finally in country! See all you classy chaps in Cusco tomorrow!

All coming together

Our lovely charity platform is now set up! Please dig deep and support our efforts in raising money for Practical Action! Most people just ask for money, don't eat for 40 hours, run around a track a few times....how many people do you know that drive a ludicrous vehicle 2,000km's through Peru?! We're working hard! Please support this noble cause!

  www.justgiving.com/mototaxidiaries

 

As an extra incentive, I promise to bring back the most colourful, Llama suitable poncho I can find for the most generous donator!