Saturday 30th April:
I haven't slept too well, Lorna hasn't slept too well, both somewhat apprehensive about our trip to Macchu Pichu. Lima Tours are on time as usual, and the ride over to Ollantaytambo station is uneventful.
We're travelling via Peru Rail in a Vistadome train, and luckily we get seats on the left hand side, or the interesting side, following the Urubamba river through the Sacred Valley.
The 100 minute rail journey ends at Aguas Calientas, or in good old English, Hot Springs. Luggage is whisked away to the hotel and we are shepherded to the bus that takes everyone up to the entrance. We are met by Reuben who is great and he gives Lorna the confidence she needs, especially as the first part is a series of large steps and switchbacks to get the first site of the citadel.
We spend a good couple of hours as Reuben relates the history of MP, as well as the orientation of the place. Wayne Pichu is the iconic mountain that can be climbed each day by two groups of 200 people; I have a ticket but begin to think that that might not be the best thing to do. It I is clearly a scramble as opposed to a walk, and will not provide the iconic photograph I want early tomorrow morning. The alternative is the Sun Gate, about an hour away and with the perfect view of the citadel as the sun rises.
It is clear that the Inca's were master architects, as Reuben demonstrates at various locations by means of his trusty compass. The building of the citadel commenced around 1450, and was evacuated some 75-80 years later, for reasons that are still uncertain. Was it the Spanish advance, or was it disease?
We make our way down and Lorna is elated that she has managed to get round the place, there is no doubt the walking poles have been a great confidence booster. Rueben reminds us that we are still in the low season at MP, and they get up to 2,500 visitors per day, but in the high season of July & August they can get up to 7,000 per day, a mind boggling 150-200 buses per day.
On our return to The Inkaterra Hotel, the best in town, we find we have been upgraded and have chalet No. 1, the closest to the lounge, the bar and the dining room, Lorna is elated again. The room is lovely, except for the running water outside, but even that can't prevent us sleeping in the very comfortable beds.
Dinner is included and we marvel at the service in the restaurant, probably the biggest waiter to diner ratio anywhere we have seen and that includes the cruise ships. In bed by 9pm, and I'm ready for a 4.30am alarm to get me up to the citadel again for sunrise.....
I haven't slept too well, Lorna hasn't slept too well, both somewhat apprehensive about our trip to Macchu Pichu. Lima Tours are on time as usual, and the ride over to Ollantaytambo station is uneventful.
We're travelling via Peru Rail in a Vistadome train, and luckily we get seats on the left hand side, or the interesting side, following the Urubamba river through the Sacred Valley.
The 100 minute rail journey ends at Aguas Calientas, or in good old English, Hot Springs. Luggage is whisked away to the hotel and we are shepherded to the bus that takes everyone up to the entrance. We are met by Reuben who is great and he gives Lorna the confidence she needs, especially as the first part is a series of large steps and switchbacks to get the first site of the citadel.
We spend a good couple of hours as Reuben relates the history of MP, as well as the orientation of the place. Wayne Pichu is the iconic mountain that can be climbed each day by two groups of 200 people; I have a ticket but begin to think that that might not be the best thing to do. It I is clearly a scramble as opposed to a walk, and will not provide the iconic photograph I want early tomorrow morning. The alternative is the Sun Gate, about an hour away and with the perfect view of the citadel as the sun rises.
It is clear that the Inca's were master architects, as Reuben demonstrates at various locations by means of his trusty compass. The building of the citadel commenced around 1450, and was evacuated some 75-80 years later, for reasons that are still uncertain. Was it the Spanish advance, or was it disease?
We make our way down and Lorna is elated that she has managed to get round the place, there is no doubt the walking poles have been a great confidence booster. Rueben reminds us that we are still in the low season at MP, and they get up to 2,500 visitors per day, but in the high season of July & August they can get up to 7,000 per day, a mind boggling 150-200 buses per day.
On our return to The Inkaterra Hotel, the best in town, we find we have been upgraded and have chalet No. 1, the closest to the lounge, the bar and the dining room, Lorna is elated again. The room is lovely, except for the running water outside, but even that can't prevent us sleeping in the very comfortable beds.
Dinner is included and we marvel at the service in the restaurant, probably the biggest waiter to diner ratio anywhere we have seen and that includes the cruise ships. In bed by 9pm, and I'm ready for a 4.30am alarm to get me up to the citadel again for sunrise.....
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