Wednesday 15 Feb 2012     Machu Picchu

Up at 04:00 again for a 05:30 pickup by our guide Augustine who was waiting at the front desk. We walked into town in a light drizzle, which thankfully cleared up before we reached the mountain top.  In town we boarded a medium size bus which departed as soon as the seats were filled and took us up the switch back road on the side of a very steep mountain to the entrance gates for Machu Picchu at 2400m.  Passing other busses was extremely tight and often the wheels were within less then half a meter of the precipice. At the entrance we thought that we´d lost our guide who also had all our tickets, but he was in the toilet for about 15 minutes although it seemed much longer then that. Augustines knowledge of Machu Picchu was great and the three hour tour and explanations were outstanding.  After our guide departed we were free to fill in our time and settled for a cold drink and some local dried fruit before returning back to the village below.  We could have stayed all day but the tourists were out in force by now as opposed to when we arrived at 06:20 when there was no one on the mountain.  It is difficult to explain the beautie of this small city with it´s wonderous stone work and views across the mountains and one has to ask ¨how did the Incas do this¨.  Words can´t explain but my photos tell the story.  It would be very easy to stay here longer and be taken up into the Inca culture which still lives on in the peoples of Peru.  In Aquas Calientes Malcolm and I wandered the street and took photos of the flooded river.  We had a nice meal in a small restaurant next to the railway line.  The train here runs through the middle of town and people are always walking across it or kids playing on it.  From our table to the train there were perhaps 2 or 3 meters and no fences.  Back at the hotel there was sufficient time to have shower and drink in preparation for the next train journey. The journey to Ollantaytambo was pleasant and we were met at the station by our next guide who took us to the Hotel Pakaritampu.  The hotel is set in beautiful gardens and overlooks the Inca ruins on the surrounding mountains.  Regretably this hotel also had the worst staff and quality of meals.  Early to bed tonight as we were both worn out.