When John and I first met we said how we wanted to go to Macchu Pichu in Peru
and so it was a dream come true to finally get there.]

The journey was intriguing - ready at 6.30 am and then taken to first a bus
for nearly two hours to Ollantaytambo and then the quaint train for the same
time until we got to the village of Agua Calientes. That is an unusual
arrival - the market and restaurants are along the train line right up to the
station.

We then took a bus round amazing curves up the mountain until we arrived at
the entrance to Macchu Pichu. Lucky we had been encouraged by Vanessa (who´d
been there) to splurge and book into the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel. So lucky on
many counts. First of all, the guide allocated to our tour group had not given
us any information so we arrived at the top with no water. As all travellers
know, you must drink bottled water and lots of it at high altitudes.

Next, we entered the ruins site and found ourselves sharing it with about
1,000 other people - all in clumps with their guides, all speaking different
languages plus the predictable loud-mouth in very group who has a word to say
about anything or tries to crack jokes. We had to climb steep stairs to get a
peak view and then get the history from the guide - it was hard to hear and
understand him. But the view was so spectacular and so awesome it was enough
to just soak it up (and of course I had read lots about the history and so
knew enough to feel OK - especially thanks again to Vanessa who had loaned me
a book by a man called Darwin, who is an expert guide. The book - The TRUE of
Macchu Pichu -(his title) was illuminating and comprehensive.

Ask me about Hiram P. Bingham the ¨discoverer¨.

Anyhow, because we invested a months wages in being able to stay at the Lodge,
we were able to rest up after a fabulous late lunch and at sunset, we went
back into the ruins. This time it was amazing as there were only about 30
people in there. John and I found a look-out and just looked and looked at the
majesty of the peaks around and the splendid ruins spread out before us.

Unfortunately there was no sunset as the clouds were so low and there was a
misty rain falling but we felt night fall and the peace and silence was full.

The hotel was terrific - as it should have been for the price (dont ask me -
gulp) - and we enjoyed three course meals with delicous cuisine and very
superior presentation.

I revelled in the hot shower and free shampoo (ask John about his cold shaves
some time) - so rare.

Next morning we were up at 5.45 so we could again be at the ruins in
tranquillity (it cost $20 US each day to enter) but there were already 50
other adventurers in there. Once again the clouds were too low for seeing
sunrise but it was wonderful to see light of day in such an eerie setting.

Back for the big breakfast buffet and to check out and then John and I took on
the challenge of climbing Huayna Pichu (which is the big peak you see behind
the ruins in all the pictures).

Now climbing is not my natural talent and yet the call of the peak seemed to
egg me on (think Picnic at Hanging Rock) and with my reliable climbing coach
(JOhnny) I somehow managed it. It really was demanding and so high, with edges
slipping away to sheer cliffs, that it became a surreal experience and so I
wasnt frightened of the height. The additional difficulty weas the high
altitude where suddenly it felt like you were not breathing and then you had
to consciouly grab a big breath.

It was also wery hot with the thin air and John took off his jumper to reveal
his Aussie singlet - oh well, no-one knew us.

Finally we were at the narrow platform which is at the peak after one hour.

What a view - like standing on top of the world.

It was truly a dream come true and to all my friends who I know would have
loved to have been there - I said a prayer for you...
and made a wish for me.




-----------------------------------------------
This mail came from a user at http://silvs.net/
Come check it out... might be something for you