Destination Machu Picchu today. Bus to Ollantaytambo then an amazing Train journey through towering mountains to Aguas Calientes.

Although almost a month ago, I decided to continue the birthday celebrations and have a wee glass of bubbly on the train 🥂

The closer we got to Machu Picchu the more the mountains erupted straight out of the ground stretching higher than I could photograph from the window of the train. It was a stunning scene.

We arrived into Aguas Calientes, the small village below Machu Picchu, and it was mayhem. Complete overload with restaurants, cafes and merchandise shops – just a bit overwhelming!

I took my camera and headed down for a walk to the river but it wasn’t long before the rain started and it was very heavy. I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less as we were completely surrounded by gargantuan mountains shrouded in cloud.

My accommodation was a mixed dorm – sharing with 5 other people 😩. It’s not that I’m antisocial but I just like my privacy. At least it’s only for one night.

I wanted to climb to the top of either the mountain of Huaynapicchu or the mountain of Machupicchu but what I didn’t realize was that these tickets had to be booked three months in advance. No matter, I guess what I will see will amazing.

The streets are packed with travellers, some that are returning after having trekked the Inka trail, some that have still to do it and some like me that will get the bus up and down or alternatively walk back down.

What ever, we are all here for the same reason – to experience one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, the ruins of Machu Picchu by whatever method we chose.

Up at 5am tomorrow. Tickets for Machu Picchu are allocates in time slots and you are only allowed 4 hours at the ruins. My slot is 7am and I have to get the bus up.

Nite

😘