My friends have been so tightly wound with apprehension over this trip, I’m amazed either of them made it all the way here. The endless calls to check what to pack, the inability to strip down to just ‘essentials’ and travel light, the difficulty in being able to switch off and let go. Although it’s understandable when Vicky has kids and Zaza is juggling wedding plans, getting away from it all is what I’ve loved about my previous travels – immersing myself in something new and sacking off the stresses and strains of life at home. Going at the pace of a new culture and seeing what else the world has to offer besides a nine-to-five job and the monotony of living for the weekend, only to find you’re actually too knackered to do anything when the ‘time off’ arrives.

They’ll get there.

‘I feel good now. I feel excited,’ Vicky declares, grinning at us both and looking down at the leaflet in her hands that she’s scribbled further details all over. She hardly looked at Scott while he gave the briefing and her cheeks still haven’t lost their pinkness.

‘The toilets sound dire,’ Zaza says, her lips curling.

‘I’ve done worse,’ I shrug.

‘All right, Bear Grylls. I think I’d rather dig a hole,’ she tuts.

‘Don’t think you’ll feel that way when we’re up in the mountains and you need a crap,’ I warn her.

‘Eesh,’ sounds Vicky, screwing up her face. Scott, however, laughs before patting me on the back.

‘I can tell I’m going to have fun with you three,’ he says, Kevin and the rest of the team smiling along behind him. ‘See you in the morning.’

‘Yes,’ blushes Vicky.

‘Yes sir, we won’t be late, sir!’ chimes in Zaza.

‘He’s going to hate us,’ mutters Vicky.

‘Right. I think it’s time we do what we do best,’ I declare, putting my arm around Vicky’s shoulders. ‘And I don’t mean whining and moaning.’

‘I don’t know what else I’m good at,’ Vicky replies, looking up at me with a worried expression.

‘Oh you do. I’m talking grab your jumper, your rucksack or your bumbag – let’s go find somewhere to eat and drink.’

‘Finally!’ announces Zaza.

‘This I’m definitely good at,’ chuckles Vicky.

We exit the hotel and walk along the narrow streets towards the main square we drove through earlier. Maybe it’s due to the time of day, almost six in the evening, but the streets are mostly empty with only the odd car or bike travelling by. As a result every pedestrian chooses to walk along the cobbled road rather than on the pavement, and just weaves in and out depending on traffic.