Cusco- Machu Picchu

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So Im sitting here in this beautiful hostel, with a heavy heart as new goodbyes have to be said... the hostel -ecopackers- is definitely worth a stay... or more 😊

When I arrived here about a week ago I was really lucky, as Renato, whom I have met in Lima was in Cusco at the same time, so he showed me around, explaining me all delicatecies and for days we just enjoyed the beautiful sun, a home cooked meal from this peruian-talented-geeky-wannabe-chef and shared some beers... perfectly relaxing.

What can I tell you again about this city? The gorgeous old buildings have blue beautiful entrance doors that remind of southern France, the local markets that never ceases to amaze, many balconies that have beautiful carvings in the wood, its magnificent.

Only when Renato left on saturday I finally started organising the next excursion, so I went on travelling with James, from the States, to Machu Picchu. We left sunday morning, arriving first in Ollantaytambo, where we had two hours before taking a train up until Aguas Calientes. The train ride itself is worth every hussle one might come across. To summarize: the train ride consisted of James and me ellbowing each other, pointing to different places in the mountains, ruins, the river, some houses, people, alpacas and llamas and trying to share everything we saw with each other.

When we arrived we went staright to the hot springs, where we relaxed after this sooo sooo difficult trip and then we stayed the night in Aguas Calientes.

The next morning started easy peasy at... 4 AM!! We had a quick breakfast, with one eye still closed, headed to the bus station and waited there for the first bus to Machu Picchu, which left at 5.30, getting us there at 6 am. We managed to be in the second bus (well done to us, as the crowds there get huuuge)-

We arrived just in time for the sunrise. Incredible. I remember people saying this place is magic... It is. And so much more. Machu Picchu lays on top of a hill, surrounded by the Andes mountain range, it is incredible, indescribable and impossible to be found...

We had 2 hours to wander around, so we did. Then at 8am we had a guided tour, which was amazing and gave us such an insight to the history of this site.

After the tour James and I found a green spot in the middle of the site, sat down and relaxed. Sitting there we just thought how freakin amazing life is... Chilling on some 700 year old ruins, looking over mountains that are as steep as it gets, just like that.

Now I somehow managed to get James into the same bus as me to Puno, departing tonight. We will go and visit Lake Titikaka, it will be fun, as James seems not to be able to say "Titikaka" without trying to cover a small smile in his face... He is 37. haha.

😊

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Photos

train ride.
ollantaytambo to aguas calientes..

Machu Picchu
...with James.