December 2013 – Page 2 – Travels with Anne

A 4:30 wake up call and we caught a 5:30 bus to Machu Picchu. The road was steep and full of switch backs. When we finally arrived, mist hung low over the mountains and the ruins were invisible.

The sun peaked over the mountains, a little breeze came up and suddenly the mist cleared. What an incredible way to visit the city for the first time. We wandered for 5 hours in the ruins – our guide for the first 2 hours was excellent, we were then on our own.

Hopefully the photos will tell some of the story. It is a place difficult to describe adequately – you need to be here.

Tomorrow we go on to Puno and Lake Titicaca

A late start accommodated a leisurely breakfast in a lovely sunny courtyard. We then boarded our bus and headed to the train station where we boarded the train to Agua Calientas located below Machu Picchu. Following a spectacular train ride we arrived in Agua Calientes which is absolutely charming. Gone is the cool dry climate of Cusco. The climate here is humid and warm as befits what is referred to as the gateway to the Amazon. We are hoping that the photos do it justice. After an excellent trout lunch in a local restaurant we wandered the town and market for a while before heading to bed. We rise at 4:30 am tomorrow to take the bus to Machu Picchu.