Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu has been top of my ´want to see´ list for years and I had wanted to reach it by the Inca Trail. Perhaps I have delayed attempting that route too long and I do admire and envy those that complete that trek. However this trip was avaiable and Machu Picchu exceeded all expectations. 
We made an early start to catch the vista dome train, then bus up many switch backs to be standing at the turnstiles - but in the rain! We could see the buildings, clearly separated into living and ceremonial sections but cloud and mist drifted across the peaks. This added an eerie quality to the dramatic landscapes but was not what I wanted! After about 3
hours around the site led by our knowledgeable guide, we were standing at the place from which the classic postcard view is taken, but still we were frustrated as clouds drifted across. Our guide left us and our party split with Ian, Katerina and I heading for the Inca bridge. This was a 20 minute walk with some precipitous edges to the path and as we approached the bridge there was rope attached to the wall to hang on to. The Inca Bridge cannot be used as it is in a state of disrepair but it consisted of 6 poles allowing the path to continue up the side of a vertical cliff - I am glad it is closed as the exposure would be extreme.
We returned to the Machu Picchu site and set off for the Sun Gate - I was determeined to do this as soon as I was on site and the other two certainly did not need any persuasion. The Sun Gate is where the walkers on the Inca Trail first see the lost city having climbed up the other side of that mountain. (Also on 21 December the sun rises at that point and reache
s a ceremonial place.) Now the sun started to break through for us and we walked for about an hour, uphill of course with plenty of stops for breath as we are at about 2,500m. It was satisfying to reach the Sun Gate and admire the view which got better and better as we descended with the shadows enhancing the layout of the buildings and the structure of the surrounding mountains.
This was the highlight of the trip and it is an awe inspiring achievement of the Incas to build something with such precision, and it cannot be regarded as a primitive technology,
Altogether total satisfaction with our visit to this Number 1 place on earth!
We made an early start to catch the vista dome train, then bus up many switch backs to be standing at the turnstiles - but in the rain! We could see the buildings, clearly separated into living and ceremonial sections but cloud and mist drifted across the peaks. This added an eerie quality to the dramatic landscapes but was not what I wanted! After about 3
hours around the site led by our knowledgeable guide, we were standing at the place from which the classic postcard view is taken, but still we were frustrated as clouds drifted across. Our guide left us and our party split with Ian, Katerina and I heading for the Inca bridge. This was a 20 minute walk with some precipitous edges to the path and as we approached the bridge there was rope attached to the wall to hang on to. The Inca Bridge cannot be used as it is in a state of disrepair but it consisted of 6 poles allowing the path to continue up the side of a vertical cliff - I am glad it is closed as the exposure would be extreme.We returned to the Machu Picchu site and set off for the Sun Gate - I was determeined to do this as soon as I was on site and the other two certainly did not need any persuasion. The Sun Gate is where the walkers on the Inca Trail first see the lost city having climbed up the other side of that mountain. (Also on 21 December the sun rises at that point and reache
s a ceremonial place.) Now the sun started to break through for us and we walked for about an hour, uphill of course with plenty of stops for breath as we are at about 2,500m. It was satisfying to reach the Sun Gate and admire the view which got better and better as we descended with the shadows enhancing the layout of the buildings and the structure of the surrounding mountains.This was the highlight of the trip and it is an awe inspiring achievement of the Incas to build something with such precision, and it cannot be regarded as a primitive technology,
Altogether total satisfaction with our visit to this Number 1 place on earth!
posted by Bob's Blog @ 7:02 PM
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