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Published: December 2nd 2010
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Taxi
A "taxi" in the town of Urubamba, on the way to Machu Picchu. Macchu Picchu was a total success. I made friends with this awesome Dutch girl Lilou and we decided to forego the oackage deal and o it all on our own. Of course we got a lot of input from Helga who also takes Spanish classes with us and had taken the trip a couple weeks ago. So we bought the backpacker tickets fro the train and then bought the tickets from the INC for Machu Picchu this is really where Lilou saved a lot of money because she has a student card. We didn´t purchase anything else in advance we just met at the bus station for Ollantaytambo on Saturday at 8 and there was a van headed that way so we paid our 10 sole and jumped on. It was a party the whole hour and 40 minutes - well not really but the radio was playing some PAR-TAY music. We arrived in Ollantaytambo about 10 and walked aound the town- had a delicious coffee at hearts cafe and tool pictures of the 100 niches as well as the ruins. We decided the rins were better seen from afar so we didn´t bother to pay and walk upon them. At
Wall of 100 Niches
One of the sites in the town of Ollantaytambo. En route on the way to Machu Picchu. This lady was nice enough to show what the niches could be used for??? 12:30 we boarded our train and set off for the 2 hour journey to Aguas Calientes. I was reading in the guide book that Machu Picchi is only72 miles from Cusco but it is a different world. It is basically in the jungle and it´s warm and the air is moist and it takes 4 hours to get there!!!!
Once we arrived in Aguas Calients we were immediatley innundated with offers for hostels- we should have held out but all we could think of that we wanted was close to the main plaza (which everything is) and hot water 2 beds and an eletrical outlet. We got that for 20 sole a piece, the place was OK but I think we could have done better. After we checked in we decided to walk down and see whyere the "gate" heading up to Machu Picchu is. It was only about a 15 minute walk from our hostel and the gate keeper told us taht it opened at 5am. The first bus heads up to Machu Picchu at 6 and the gates open at 6, so our plan was to climp up the paths and make it in right when the
The Fortress at Ollantaytambo
Ruins in Ollantaytambo, 16 massive stepped terraces and the remains of temples and chambers. gates opened so we could get a stamp to climb Hayunu Picchu. Only 400 people a day area llowed to climb this mountain which is higher than Machu Picchu and allows for great views.
By then it had started to rain so we ducked into a cafe for a Pisco Sour and then headed out for dinner. Lilou discovered all prices are negotiable so instead of paying 35 sole for pizza and 25 for pasta we paid 20 and 15 respectively and we got free chips and guacamole- lots of restaurant competition. So we had our pasta it was kind of like getting ready for a marathon and then went to bed at 8 pm. Since we were so close to the main square it was pretty hard to sleep plus we were excited.
More to come....
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