Machu Picchu Sept 26 to Oct 1 part one

On arrival at Aguas Calientes which everyone calls Machu Picchu I find that the hotel I am booked had a sign on it, which I guessed meant that it was temporarily closed. Great. I find out later that this is because the local taxes have not been paid. There are a few businesses impacted.

Finally after some minutes the door opened and out someone came. Luckily this person had arranged other accomodation. I had to call the tour operator in cusco to advise of my new location. 

When I was in Cusco I organised a guide for showing me around Machu Picchu. We met up at my hotel and then went up the mountain. The bus ride up is something else. there are steep almost cliff face drops for the road. Also it is narrow very narrow. Macquarie Pass from Robertson to Wollongong is a four lane highay compared to this track. There are passing spots to allow busses going in the opposite direction 'room' to get past. On each hairpin corner there are rocks but otherwise the track is dirt. 

The track snakes it's way up the moutain. Through the trees you get glimps of the scenery, and the drop down to the river. I did not ask if there has been any accidents,  did not wish to know!

Once at the top out of the bus, show you ticket and photo id, and in we walked. It was 9am. I had the option of an easy or a difficult walk. The easy was to the right and looked like gentle path. The left side was the difficult and there were steps. These were stone and went up. So difficult it was.

Up we walked, just the thing to be done first thing in the morning. It was worth it. There are so many photo opportunities. The worste thing is that people just stop and take a photo. Do not worry about the other 50 people behind them. The place were first get the full look of Machu Picchu is only a little 1 meter square point, however it opens onto a terrece where you can stand and take hundreds of photos while allowing others to pass by.

Onward we went. My Guide explaining the main features of MP. The sections and purpose of MP. The buildings and the temples. Then in the blink of the eye it was 11 am. My time with the guide was up. He told me about th sun gate and the Inka Bridge. I bid farewell and then headed for the sun gate.

At This point it was back up the stairs which I climbed  2  hours ago. This time  they were a little steeper. Then the rain was just starting. On with the puncho and walked up the path. This was like a cobble stone driveway, however narrow. in every 10 steps the rain  became heavier. It was steddy but onward i walked. 

I came to the rock overhang of tomb 26. Here the rock overhangs the area and it gave some shelter. There were two other people here. Otherwise in the past 20 minutes i had not seen anyone. I am only doing this trip once, so back out to the rain and upward I go.

I come to the first gate. Here I could see some things but I needed t go on. I did now met some people on their  way down. but as for the upward people i was the only one.

then i make it to the top. There is no shelter if I was to keep walking i would start a downward trek on the other side of the mountaain. I was not doing this as i would have to come back so that i could return to MP. There werre a few people here and one couple from Sale in Victoria. We got talking, and they too were doing the bucket list .

then after about 15 minutes there was a flash of lightning and the clap of thunder. Hum time to go we thinks. They start heading down, I stay a little longer. There are some breaks in the rain and you get a look at MP. however not the best. So I start my walk back down too. 

I catch up with the aussies and we walk the final 15 minutes together. The walk up was a good hour and the downward is only 40 minutes. Mind you in the rain it felt a lot longer.

I was not sure of the time at the stage, but the thought of food was on the mind. There is a cafeteria and we had something to eat. along with another 100 or so tourists. There were big umbrellas covering the courtyard. then blow there was a line were everone as standig waiting for busses to go back down the mountain. They had become too wet and wished to go home. The aussies need to be back downthe mountain   too by 4pm as they were on the train back to Ollantaytambo.

They went and joined the line, in the rain. 

I stayed under cover and then started to talk to two American couples. The guys had served in the navy at Guam. However at 3.15 or so, just after the Aussies were on the bus. The clouds parted and the sun started to shine through. Humidity rose too, but there is still 2 hours to look through Machu Picchu. So the five of us head back in. With a speed trip of the ruins. 

It was great as there were not many people there at all. I found places that the guide had not shown me. But mind you there is a lot to walk around and look at that will take you a good five hours. 

Finally the whistlers were sounding at 4.30pm and we knew we had to make our way out. . By 530 we were back down the mountain and in the village of  Aguas Calientes.

Photos of the afternoon walk.

 

We arranged to meet up for dinner which was great. During the conversation it came out that I was doing this trip as part of my 2 score and ten celebrations. The evening went on, then when it came time to pay, they insisted they pay for my dinner. Thank you. 

Aguas Calientes has lots of uniformed people be they police or other security people, but I do not feel threatened. They are not carrying guns only batons I feel much safer here than in Sydney. 

New day and new hotel. 

Now a get a one way one day bus ticket for going up the mountain. The tickets are only valid for the day. So now check into the sanctuary lodge. This is so peaceful and relaxing. I am not going to say the cost, but it included three meals a day, standard drinks, and the mini bar in the room was covered too. 

There is an orchard walk, spa. Huge bed and great room. By the time I explored and found my way around it was time to go to the pisco tasting. Then to dinner. Lots of great options to choose from too.

Then off to recover