Machu Pichu and on to Lima
Trip Start
May 02, 2006
1
15
Trip End
Jul 27, 2006
Lima,
Peru
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
The last couple of days have been a whirl wind of activity. We spent three days touring Cusco and then headed up to Machu Pichu.
Let me back up and tell you one of the afternoons in Cusco was spent in the train station. The only way to get to Machu Pichu is by the train. As it is high season in Peru and we had to wait 3.5 hours to get tickets. We were suppose to leave from Cusco and take a 4 hour train ride to Machu Pichu but all the trains were booked, so we opted to take a taxi to Ollyntambo (2hours) and then take the train to Machu Pichu. Needless to say we have been traveling lots.
Aguas Calientes is a town in the valley of where the Machu Pichu ruins are located and is beautiful. It is like Hawaii with lush green mountains and a sub tropical climate. To get to the Mach Pichu ruins you have three options. One compete the Inca Trek which is a 5 day trek the last day the highlight with a sun rise hike to the Ruins. Unfortunately because this was a last minute trip we were not able to do the Inca trail. The second option is a day trip to Mauch Pichu via the train from Cusco. The third which we chose was to stay in Augas Calientes a couple of nights. We used Nonnie and Halsī( Justin Granndparents) wedding gift towards 2 nights at this fabulous hotel just minutes away from the ruins. It was definitely the best hotel we stayed at on the trip with hummingbirds and lush tropical gardens. This also enabled us to visit the ruins multiple times and get up there at sunrise before the masses of tourist day trippers arrived which was around 10:30am. Machu Pich is an amazing place and photos canīt really show its vastness. The ruins are situated on the face of a mountain and contain spectacular ancient architecture. It is amazing how such an important part history was able to be preserved for all to see and learn from.
We left Machu Pichu and headed back on the train to Ollynatamblo where we used Nanna Boosīs ( my grandmother) wedding shower money to have Andean massages. Ahh it was just what we needed after climbing all those ruins and hiking in the Andes. Thanks Nanna
We are currently in Lima Peru. We took a 7:00am flight today from Cusco to Lima and now we are on a 15 hour layover. We just got back from touring the city and seeing a movie. We found one in English with Spanish subtitles such a treat! Next our flight back to Boston and we as much as we have enjoyed traveling through some of South America it will be good to have conversations where I know I am not saying things like where did you eat the cow from ??? :)
Oh a big thanks to those that gave us REI shower gifts. All came in very handy through out our adventures
Oh and Happy anniversary to my sis and brother in law I ( Hil and Bry) Congrats!!
Ok That is it. Only four more hours left until our flight :(
Ciao
