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Published: September 8th 2009
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On the bus to Machu Picchu On Wednesday 08/26/09, we got up and headed down for breakfast, checked out (the hotel would hold our bags), and headed back up to Machu Picchu. It was more crowded than the previous afternoon; the bulk of visitors are there through noon. We explored the city at our leisure, going into houses, rooms, ceremonial chambers, looking down at the plazas, and just admiring the place.
Around 11am, we headed over to the Inca Bridge, located past the Guard’s Gatehouse. On the way, we stopped at a terrace, with some trees and rocks, perfect place for a break or a picnic. It also turned out to be a perfect picture spot and where we could get a vantage point of Huayna Picchu. We could have spent all day there! We were using our binoculars to see the people up at the top of Huayna Picchu and Cathy came up with the idea of taking pictures through it, as our cameras’ zooms were not as powerful. The couple of pictures we took show the ruins and the people up at the top of the mountain.
Once on the way to the Inca Bridge, there’s a control booth where you sign in
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"Mankind honors the skillful sons of the Inti who built Machu Picchu, splendorous monument symbol of the American Culture" on the 75th anniversary of its scientific discovery and out. We soon realized why: As you approach the bridge, the trail narrows and the cliff becomes even more ominous. However, the hike, which took us over one hour round trip, is worth it. We arrived at the Inca Bridge, which you can only approach up to a certain distance as it’s cordoned off due to precarious conditions (there’s no railings and the drop goes all the way down to the Urubamba River). No, the Incas didn’t have railings either, but this was their land and running on trails and bridges such as these was no biggie—unlike it is for us modern folks. The Inca Bridge was also a defense point for Machu Picchu; the Incas could easily withdraw the logs, eliminating the passage from the Inca Trail to the one leading to the city. Without the crossing logs, you would have had to be one gutsy invader to try to leap from one edge to the next (My guesstimate: 8-10 feet), considering the drop and the rocks which the defending warriors would be throwing at you.
From the trail, we were able to see the Hydroelectric far below, the end of the rail line after Aguas Calientes.
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"Cuzco thanks Hiram Bingham, scientific discoverer of Machu Picchu in 1911" Heading back on the trail, we stopped at the favorite break place, had a snack, rested for a bit, and started our trek up to the Intipunku, or Sun Gate. We had been told it usually takes about 45 minutes to reach it, with the trail consisting 99% of uphill steps. Well, it took us about one hour and 15 minutes to make it because we had to take about three to four breaks. A couple of times I thought “OK, if I drop dead of a heart attack, at least my will and power of attorney are taken care of.” It was a tough hike for the three of us, but the hardest for Cathy, or so she said it was. About two thirds of the way there, she sat down, started to cry, and said that we could go on without her. She didn’t want to continue. I told her that we couldn’t leave her there by herself and that we would make it to the top, just a few more minutes to go. Besides, I said to her that “if your 41 year-old, out of shape Mom can do it, you can too.” We sat down for
a break, then helped her by taking her backpack (Ben and I took turns carrying it). As we approached the Sun Gate, where others were taking pictures and admiring the views, Cathy took off and ran the last 40 feet or so, while Ben and I struggled our way up. Hmmmmm.
At the top, there was a mix of day visitors and Inca Trail hikers, coming from opposite sides of the gate, but all in the same festive mood. We rested and chatted with visitors and hikers. Visiting Machu Picchu is a very unique experience, with its own meaning to each person, but nonetheless, significant. And you can tell.
From the Intipunku, one can see Machu Picchu far below and the vastness of the valley that surrounds it. Well worth the effort to get there. We took pictures and too soon, it was time to head back down to the citadel. We savored our last hour or so there, not wanting to say goodbye to the place. It had been an unforgettable experience.
On our way out, we got our passports stamped a second time and got on the bus. We retrieved our bags from La Pequeña
Casita; the hotel staff was very attentive and eager to help, something that we noticed was more common in the smaller towns than in bigger cities. We made it to the train station with plenty of time to catch the train but without enough time to sit down for a meal. So, while Cathy and Ben waited at the station, I ran (relative term) to the nearest café, got some sandwiches; then went to the bodega around the corner for some chips, drinks, and chocolate. I made it back on time to board and get seated. We were famished! The train ride to Ollantaytambo took about 1½ hours, arriving there after 7pm. I had called Ollantaytambo Lodge before we left Aguas Calientes, but they didn’t have anyone available to meet us at the train station, so we took a taxi. We checked in, made pit stops (our room had a double bed and a single bed), and headed out to find dinner.
We walked to the main plaza and settled for a Mom-and-Pop restaurant. We had lemonade to drink; Ben had a sandwich and I had some fresh avocado with onions, tomatoes, and cheese. I think that the thrill
of visiting Machu Picchu had made my body ignore the sinus infection. The antibiotics I had gotten a couple of days before at Aguas Calientes were not cutting it, so I went to a pharmacy near the restaurant and, this time, they gave me Amoxicillin. We then headed back to Ollantaytambo Lodge, had some much-needed showers, and collapsed in bed. What a day!
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