Cusco/Machu Picchu

Spent second day in Cusco getting further acclimatized....both of us doing really well. We have been drinking lots of Coca tea. Do not worry about us becoming drug addicts... we were told it takes about 350 kilos of coca leaves to make 1 kilo of cocaine!!! The city is very charming with lots of hotels, hostels, restaurants, gift shops, internet cafes, etc. Everything that a traveller would want. Went to a charming restaurant for dinner and both of us tried Alpaca, a nice sweet tasting meat. We haven't tried guinea pig as yet, however someone told us that they cut it in half and flatten it...looks like road kill.....we do intend on trying it!

Picked up very early to take the train which goes to Aguas Caliente, the town which services Machu Picchu. With us was our guide, Justino, and as it turned out we were the only two booked for this 2 day trip....so basically a private tour. Got off at km. 104, which was about a 3 1/2 hour train ride, parts of which went through the Sacred Valley. The train pretty well follows the Urubamba River all the way.

Started the hike around 10.30 a.m. at 6,200 feet and reached our highest point of 9,000 feet around 2 p.m. Saw some Inca ruins along the way, one located along some terraces in the mountain. It was very hot, 30 degrees and very steep in some sections, which involved climbing up stone steps. Entered Machu Picchu around 4,30 p.m. through the Sun Gate...WOW!!!

We were fortunate that this was the end of the day and just a handful of tourists left on the site. Also the visibility was good and we got some wonderful pictures. Saw some llamas in the site which were very tame...think they are used to tourists. Hard to fully describe the magnitude and beauty of this Wonder of the World....the pictures simply don't do it justice. It is amazing to think that this was built by the Incas in the 1400's without benefit of any tools. A real engineering feat considering the elevation and the terrain. Justino whose english was very good explained a great deal of the history along our hike and at M.P. He was very knowledgable and had a great sense of humour. Then took the last bus out of M.P. down to the town of Aguas Calientes which took about 1/2 hour on a very windy narrow road...reminded Claire of the bus trips up to Sunshine ski hill, although the buses at M.P. were first class.

Stayed at a hostal belonging to the tour company and had a "luxurious" shower followed by a cold beer!! Diner and in bed by 8.30 p.m. When we arrived at the hostal, Justino advised that there were no "matrimonial rooms" only double. Claire told him it was o.k. , simply too tired to do anything matrimonial!! He got a good laugh.
Up the next morning at 5 a.m. departing Aguas Calientes by bus up to M.P. by 6.30 to see the sun come up over the site. Unfortunately, it was raining and low lying clouds, so photo opportunities were limited. How lucky we were to have seen it the day before. Our guide took us for a 2 hour tour of the ruins and explained the history, culture and important aspects of the site. Sean, as an archiologist, you have to get here some day. Then spent some time waiting for the rain to let up, were able to take a few more pics, then took the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Train ride back to Cusco which took 4 1/2 hours was entertaining due to the presence of a dozen drunken Irishmen!!!

Spent the next day recuperating in Cusco, visiting various Museums and had a massage for one hour for the princely sum of $30 U.S. for the two of us. It was great to get the knots out of our back and legs.

Left Cusco this morning by private car for a 1 hour trip to Urubamba, where we will be for the next 3 days. Urubamba is located in the Sacred Valley and is a true working agricultural town, with few tourists, or tourist amenities....great!!

Pictures- 1- Quecha girls posing with baby alpaca

2- Inca ruin Wayna Wayna along the hike

3- Claire along the trek

4- Claire and Robin entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate

5- Terraces at M.P.

6- Justino, our guide, Claire and Robin at the hostal in Aguas Calientes