The Holiday's Pinnacle - Machu Picchu
After a night in Ollantaytambo (also a site of amazing Inca terraces and temples), we took the train to Aguas Calientes (or as it seems to be called these days, Machu Picchu Town), arriving late in the afternoon. I enjoyed a couple of hours in the thermal waters, where they kindly bring you mojitos at the wave of a hand! Early next morning we headed up to the site that had drawn us all to Peru.
As I later sat in the shade of the little storage hut next to the main entrance - remember the view is hidden from sight until you walk through a stone portal with a small uneven step - I was pleased to listen to many others echo my entrance to Machu Picchu with a clip, clip, clop "Wow!"
I had been up since 5am, and following a 30 minute hairpin bend, white knuckle inducing bus climb up into the clouds (believe me, it was much worse going down!), said clouds were indeed doing their best to pose dramatically for my photos. A bit of artistic licence, but I love my cloudy black and white profile one in the Gallery.
The one accompanying this post (where nearly all the people were out of frame!), with a smoke ring of cloud, I call "O! Machu Picchu!". ;-)
It was a beautiful day - not only for the atmospheric views earlier, but for the beautiful sunshine later. It is quite common for it to rain up here, being on the fringes of the Amazon jungle, so we were lucky to get such beautiful weather for the morning, giving me later contrasting blue sky views. Do check out all the photos in the accompanying gallery.
First, I must say how incredibly high it feels to be in Machu Picchu (which means Old Mountain), with dizzying views down to the river at the mountain's base. And there is a fair amount of diversity on the mountain, with temples, houses (missing their roofs), terraces where crops were grown, and then water fountains. There is even part of the quarry used for the stones. And through every doorway or window, there is always a magnificent view.
The skill in creating such perfect walls is well known. But did you know there is also a drainage system under the ground that prevents the whole thing sliding down the mountain during the many rainy months; great engineering skills! And of course it can't be Peru without some llamas around (they help keep the grass down!).
One of my favourite things was a rock sculpted to match the silhouette of the mountains behind. There are a lot of little things like this at Machu Picchu which adds to the richness of the culture at the place. And if Machu Picchu is the old mountain (this actual mountain is behind the city itself), then Waynu Picchu (which means young mountain) is the famous one that appears in all the postcards beind the terraces. It is possible to climb it, if you are so disposed and have a spare 3 hours in your day!
I would have liked to have done some more climbing and exploring, but have pulled a muscle in my left groin (which makes going up steps difficult), and the knees and thighs were feeling dodgy after our 2 hour tour up and down and around the ancient city. So I chose instead to sit and soak up the magnificent views and ambience of the place, and of course chat to the other tourists in either English or Spanish (I know, I'm showing off - but it doesn't mean they actually understood me!!!).
This is truly a worthy member of the 7 modern wonders of the world and I am so glad I had the opportunity to see it. I now have seen 5 of the modern wonders of the world with the sixth on the cards when I get to Mexico (fingers crossed).
Machu Picchu was truly a highlight of Peru, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many other things this country has to offer the tourist. It's been a great two weeks.
Next stop - Guatemala!
