Machu Picchu

Thursday, 2 April

Aguas Calientes to Cusco

Up at 5.15 and down for an early breakfast before our bus to Machu Picchu. The dining room was all window along one wall and just outside the Urubamba River was rushing by.

Our guide, Sonia, met us at 7.00 and escorted us to the bus, which took us up and up and up, about a 25 minute journey to Machu Picchu. The whole tourism operation here is really efficient and runs like clockwork. There were some heart-stopping drops beside us but we felt surprisingly safe.

Machu Picchu was huge and awe-inspiring and wonderful. Our guide did an excellent job of providing information and looking out for our safety, as I was very slow on some of the steps. I have seen many photos of Machu Picchu and I knew that it was a huge site, but when you are actually standing there it's amazing. Our tour lasted about three hours and when our guide left us we sat on a step and looked out at the view for some time. We then caught the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where we checked out the town square and found a cafe for lunch.

Aguas Calientes is a tiny town of cafes and hotels and only exists for the tourism industry. We loved the local train running down the road right outside the front door of the hotel. Everywhere you go there is the sound of water as two rivers meet here and there are fountains and little aqueducts everywhere. In places it is deafening.

Our train back to Ollantaytambo departed punctually at 4.20 and we were met at the other end by our driver, somewhat harassed as he couldn't find a couple of others that he had to sort out. The drive back to Cusco took about two hours and reminded me of coming home from Phillip Island after seeing the penguins. It was a convoy of four wheel drive vehicles jockeying for position and passing anything they could. Double lines mean nothing, but our driver was careful and didn't take too many risks.

It is very nice to be tucked back into our loft room. I have only bumped my head once this time. Tomorrow is Good Friday and we fly to Buenos Aires.

 

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