Cusco, and the trials of finding the ideal room at the ideal hostel

We took the overnight bus to Cusco and though comfortable enough we still arrived rather exhausted. We checked into the Wild Rover hostel, not our usual hostel choice but as recommended by friends we trust, we thought it worth a go. It is clear now, that our friends clearly had a different experience to our own. 

We were checked into a small double room at 8am (not all hostels will let you check in that early in the day) and we were grateful for having a place to rest. But after a few hours sleep we recognised that the small room and tiny double bed really wasn't going to work for us so we switched to a larger and much more comfortable twin bunk room instead. We explored Cusco for a bit, had a delicious lunch at the hostel, then went to see our travel agency to confirm whether we were able to go to Manu Bioserve or not (we were still waiting for others to sign up). We arrived quite literally as another couple departed – and much to our delight were told that these people just signed up to our tour, so we were definetely departing!!! I was as excited as a little puppy. We then went off to buy provisions for the jungle – insect repellant (what some stores were charging was eye watering), hiring quality binoculars etc.

Later that evening we had a drink at the bar and had chinese for dinner and returned to the hostel for a good night sleep. Much to our surpise and dismay the music at the hostel continued to increase in volume to such an extent that Bernard and I could have had our own dancefloor in our room. I have never – EVER – been to a hostel where the music was so loud that it was designed to keep people awake and at the bar – rather than in their rooms sleeping. At midnight I went to reception kindly asking whether we could use their phone to call another hostel – as it was clear we were getting zero sleep that night. We were informed the music would stop at 2am – and so we stuck it out for a few more hours. Thankfully the music did stop at 2am – and people dispersed without half an hour. But needless to say the first thing we did the next morning was pack our bags, find an alternative place to stay then checked out. We are now in a comfortable hostel with all the comforts we require.