Matthew ParrisInca Kola

I read this book while travelling in Peru, and found it very interesting to compare my experience with that of the author and his friends. Many things have not changed an iota, from the people's love of Inca Kola to the crazy markets laden with every type of potato and maize you could ever need. I enjoyed comparing my trip with Matthew Parris' journey - life as a backpacker is pretty easy now compared to some of the things they underwent, and I'm glad I didn't have to squeeze into a lorry and get covered in oil. It was fun to examine travelling in another era at the same time as I was appreciating the benefits of internet, clean hostels and comfortable transport. Definitely worth a read if you are thinking of heading to Peru or South America, and good for me when I feel like I want to conjure up my travels once more.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this as preparation for a trip to Peru that I sadly haven't made yet.However, I must warn the authors about cyanosis checking your groin region isn't helpful in cases of peripheral cyanosis, some knowledge mountaineers or hikers lack?!I don't mean to berate you, it was a great read. Loved the inclusion of photos.

Funny and interesting book but as it is more than twenty years old, not to be recommended as a guid to Peru now.

I've only just started reading this book but it is promising to be a very entertaining read,maybe I'm bias because I love Peru! Colca Canyon Peru 2.5 times deeper than The Grand Canyon!

I enjoy Matthew Parris's writing and this is no exception. I was with the 'lads' for the journey and absorbed the sights and sounds but most of all the smells. I hope they all recovered quickly from their deprivations and adventures.

I couldn't get past the first few pages - it had a horrible, patronising tone of 'British traveller in forrin' lands full of uneducated savages" to it. Read Dervla Murphy's 'Eight Feet in the Andes' instead for an account of travelling in Peru (albeit many years ago now too), but whatever you do, don't waste time or money on this trash.

A must if travelling to Peru

wonderful book about middle age guys going to south america. A lot of fun and dventure. If they can do, i can! It made me to start travel again twenbty years after my student time.