Sorry Calum, but I won the race to Machu Picchu and it was amazing. Get yourself there soon!!
One of the best places I've visited and such an amazing day. The splurge of going on the Hiram Bingham luxury train was so worth it for the colonial glamour. I boarded the train at Poroy about 9am and we wound our way slowly through the Sacred Valley. I was sat opposite an Aussie guy from Brisbane and next to 2 American guys who were ex army and lots of fun to chat to as they'd been all other the world. They'd left their wives at home as they weren't quite as able footed as them.....seriously these guys had walking sticks and beer bellies built up over years but were surprisingly light footed.
The train had an open viewing carriage at the back where you could sit and listen to the band, have a Pisco sour and watch the world pass by. Our 3 course brunch was fabulous, all from local produce including smoked trout and various corns. And free flowing champagne and wine to help the 3 hour trip fly by!
We arrived into Aguas Callientes and were put on buses according to the language of the tour. The bus ride up to the mountain tops was hairy to say the least! Such a steep winding road with no barriers at the cliff edge, buses going both ways but with no passing room and just a straight drop down. I foolishly sat at the front so could see just how far down it was and how close we were to the edge.
Somehow made it to the top and Jesus, our guide, took us on a walk around the amazing ruins telling us the history and the folklore. We wandered around for almost 3 hours up the winding staircases, looking at all the areas for crops, bathing, religious sites, where they put the sundials for their calendar, the look out points etc etc. Although there were plenty of tourists there it was incredibly peaceful and quiet up in the clouds.
The sun was blazing hot up there and I got bitten to hell by the mossies, both of which were worth it to spend the time walking around what is an amazing site. The views from all angles are fabulous and you're so high up its breathtaking.
Our health and safety folk at work would have a heart attack though as there's no barriers so you can walk right out to the edge and the steps are haphazard with no rails. The 2 US guys made light work of steps though, despite looking like they wouldn't make it round.
We got our passport stamped on the way out and had a lovely afternoon tea at the hotel just outside the entrance, before getting back on the buses for the crazy ride back down the mountain.
The train back was different as it was dark by then but we had another wonderful meal, the band played and the booze flowed. Got back to the station after 9pm and Perci my driver was waiting for me in his own car this time as he'd given his work car in for the night....it was like a clown car it was so small but it did the job and I was home tucked up in bed by 10pm dreaming of the ancient Inca city in the clouds.
