|
Home |
Machu Picchu |
More pics |
 |
My mind is blank as to what else I did so straight to Machu Picchu. We decided that we were feeling way to lazy to do the Inca trail and we would have had to take time of school to do it anyway and weīre all consciensious students. Instead we opted for the cheapest way of getting there and back which was by bus and train and a bit of walking. |
|
We set off from Cusco Friday afternoon loaded with food to keep us going for the evening. The bus journey to Ollantaytambo took about 1 3/4 hours and cost us less than a pound. We then stood in line to get our train tickets. As there were only about 5 people in front of us we werenīt expecting to have to wait too long but how wrong we were! Because the tourists have to pay lots more for their tickets than people who live and work in Machu Picchu it is necessary for all the Peruvian residents to show ID and have all their details entered ontl a computer (well I think this is what took 15 minutes per person, I could be wrong) I know that when we bought our tickets it only took about 2 minutes). Anyway after the long queue in the cold we finally got our tickets for $10 to Aguas Calientes and we headed for the train.
|
 |
 |
We were in a carriage on the train which only had tourists in it so was quite nice although we were the first people on the train and there was no light until Joukje found her torch which helped us find our seats. The train journey was ok although it was pitch black outside so we could see what was going on anyway. We did have lights on the train most of the way although at one point we were plunged into darkness for no apparent reason.- Once again Joukje to the rescue! |
|
We arrived in Aguas Calientes and were met by a bloke from the hostel I had booked (over the phone in Spanish - I was quite suprised he was there myself) and we wondered up the street wondering what luxury we were going to get for 10 soles per night (Ģ2) and we werenīt disappointed. The walls were very thin and in fact Jitske and Joukje could both talk to and touch people in the corridor from their room - I think someone measured wrong. Not that it really mattered it was already about 10pm and we were leaving at 6am. After a bit of food during which we were joined by a random street dog and were subjected to various political marches up and down the streets (regional elections) |
 |
 |
6.45am we were up and breakfasted and ready for our walk up to Machu Picchu. After asking in a hotel we eventually worked out what direction we were supposed to walk in and started. The weather was a bit crappy with drizzle and general coldness but we reckoned it would clear up later. The first bit of the walk was nice and flat along the road and then we crossed the river and it got a bit worse. We were also joined by the dog from the night before which we thought was a little odd but he was quite friendly so we didnīt mind. 2 hours later after walking up God knows how many stairs and resting lots of times and having to protect Inca Trail porters coming the other way from our dog who didnīt seem to like Peruvians we arrived at the top. |
|
Well, I have to say that Machu Picchu was simply amazing. All the pictures just donīt do it justice. It was beautiful. When we arrived it was still a bit cloudy so we set off in search of the Inca bridge which took us a little while but the walk itself was stunning so it didnīt matter - it was flat anyway so that was ok! The Inca bridge itself wasnīt much to look at just a few logs lying across a gap. The fact that they built a wall against the side of a mountain was quite impressive and so was the fact that on the other side of the bridge there didnīt seem to be anywhere to go except straight up - these Incas were a bit mad I think. We returned to the main site and wondered round for a few hours without a guide trying to work out what buildings we were in just using our guide books - much more fun - how much do they know really that we canīt just make up ourselves. At about 12pm hundreds of people suddenly descended on the site and we decided that that was the perfect time to leave as we were all pretty hungry and tired anyway. |
 |
 |
Back to Aguas Calientes where after a bit of food we decided to explore the Hot Baths which was infacty one hot bath and which we all agreed were a bit scabby and not particularly inviting. This was further confirmed when 20 little school kids arrived to use them! After then saying goodbye to Jitske, Joukje and Judith who were gonig back to Cusco that evening Viviana and I found ourselves a much nicer hostel (still only 15 soles) had showers and went out in search of food. Viviana had earlier spotted a place where you could pick the film you wanted to see and they would play it for you and as long as you ordered some food. We picked Minority Report and sat down wondering where the film was going to appear. Someone then wondered in from the next room with a large TV and they put the film on. As well as subtitles in 3 different languages the sound and picture were crap so we changed to A Beautiful Mind which were quite glad about in the end as we enjoyed it. While we were sitting watch the film and eating our popcorn etc the family living in the restaurant seemed to be moving house. First people were walking through with bags of stuff, then a gas stove followed by a gas canister, a matress abnd finally a bed. By this point we were watching another terrible film chosen by one of the staff and were about to leave anyway which was a good thing as they couldnīt get the bed out the room without moving the TV. We had no idea where all this stuff was going but we were very tired so it was all quite amusing. Thats it for Machu Picchu. The next morning we got the 6am train home and were back in Cusco for 10. Hope you like the pictures |