Around the World

Today we set off to one of the major spots on our worldwide itinerary, Machu Picchu. We got up early at the Hotel Monasterio and too took cab to where a bus was waiting to connect us with the Hiram Bingham train. The rainy season had made some of the track problematic, formerly we would have take the train all the way from Cuzco. The bus drive was nice our guide was able to tell us about the agricultural area around the Sacred Valley where we connected with the Hiram Bingham train. Hiram Bingham was the American who first "discovered" Machu Picchu. There are number of ways to get to Machu Picchu, the Hiram Bingham train is certainly the most posh.

back of the train

You get a gourmet meal, "free" beverages, and entertainment. The train arrives at Agua Caliente from where you take a bus to Machu Picchu. For lodging you can stay in Agua Caliente or you can stay at the Sanctuary Lodge, which is at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Since we are trying to spend the most money possible we are staying there. The bus ride up is interesting because there have been some land slides, most have been cleaned up, but he biggest one remains. It is at the end of a switchback and is still blocked. Everyone needs to get out of the bus, climb some stairs and then get another bus to take you to the top. At the top at Sanctuary Lodge we check in to our room which is nice but not that fancy and then immediately begin our tour of Macchu Picchu.

 It is pouring rain, it's the rainy season. Our tour group is our guide and two gentlemen from Britian. We brought ponchos which keep some of us dry. The Brits are a little less covered. The tour gives us a good overview of the site and its history. The Brits, unfortunately bail about half way through the tour, so it is just us and the guide.

dressed for the wet at Machu Picchu

view of the river from Machu Picchu

We return to the Lodge where they have a high tea. One of the reasons the place is so expensive is that it is all inclusive and the level of service is very high. Later, we had an excellent dinner and were joined by our new British friends. Excellent food, Peruvian entertainment, good conversation.

five day old llama

Tomorrow we will attempt to get up before sunrise to catch the early morning rays and hopefully some better weather, then back to the lodge for breakfast and then some more exploring of the site. Hoping it all works out. Linda is sleeping as I write this, it has been a long day. We are doing much better regarding the altitude. Oddly enough, the Machu Picchu about two thousand feet lower than the city of Cuzco.

I am taking many more pictures than I can post here . If any are interested, I almost am posting almost all of them, un edited,  on flickr at this address: http://www.flickr.com/photos/72616513@N00/