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Published: February 25th 2013
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I have to admit, this is the last entry of our southern hemisphere summer school holidays. For those who follow us....be happy, the emails will not come anymore on a regular basis over the next few months....but trust me, the trips are not over, and yes, we still have a lot of adventures planned ahead of us for the coming months.
First act was July to December 2012 in Buenos Aires. Second act was that crazy adventure from December till mid-February around South and North America. Tiffany and Leslie have been back for nearly a week in Buenos Aires, and for them today is the first day of a new school year. On my side, I have finally reached Congo...this time was even more "interesting" than any time before...and quite on the challenging side...
So to finish our great tour of...few places...we give you the Matchu Pichu, one of the 7th Wonders of the World! This is a first for Leslie and Tiffany, but not really for me. I did my first visit here back in 2002 few months after Christophe moved into Lima. Next visit was for my birthday back in 2005 with my
partner. On my first visit here it was backpacker style...but being on a round-the-world with only a carry-on at the time...no camera with me, and I did reach the near top of Waynapichu....in jeans and golf shoes. I know, that's a souvenir, and no need for a pic of this!
Back in 2005 I spoiled myself and my partner of the time with a day trip on the Hiram Bingham for my birthday. How do they say? If they have no idea on how to spoil you, spoiled yourself! The Hiram Bingham was an experience....but today, was not my birthday! Smile!
This time we are in February and it is the rainy season....and I mean, the top of the rainy season. Last week, they closed Matchu Pichu for a full day due to rain. I knew about it, and there is not a lot you can do to avoid it. But hey, we had 3 hours of sun....I know...I had a special booking for this one too!
First time we took a package, second time, the Hiram Bingham is another treat....this time I went fully independant...yeap! The train station of Poroy,
11km from Cusco is closed. So you buy a ticket from Poroy, and they put you in a bus to reach the station of Ollantaytambo. Note...do not even try to book the Hiram Bingham in February...your train ride is halved by a bus ride...not really a glamorous experience anymore!
I took the vistadome in the morning, and the backpacker on the way back....why...because it's the most efficient schedule to get there early...trying to maximize the number of hours of chance of a visit without rain...
Once arrived in Agua Calientes, we simply bought our return bus tickets to Matchu Pichu...easy job.
Ok, I did climb once Waynapicchu in 2002. It's a little more tricky these days as you need to take a ticket for the next day....but whatever...don't expect me to try to take Tiffany up there...not going to happen for a while. I love my children...and keeping them alive seems to be part of the job! Another smile!
The plan was to stay four hours in Matchu Pichu and than have a late lunch back down next to the train station in Agua Calientes. Well, we had
3 hours of sunshine. Everybody was looking at those clouds coming lower and closer to us by the minutes....the rain did come....and once the rain was there, the experience became pretty fast...pretty dumped...so we did as most, we left early.
Who cares, we had three great hours to enjoy that amazing site. The children loved it! I guess the next visit of Leslie and Tiffany could be once they are young adults to do the Inca Trail....well...not sure that's going to be something for Tiffany! But whatever, this is not tomorrow for them. We killed time with a long lunch before having a nap on the train and bus on the way back.
The holidays are over...and we are now starting act three....which is the first part of the school year in Argentina from now till the end of june 2013....before heading on the road for the remaining part of the year.
Hope you have enjoyed following us during these last three months...next entry in just over a week...for some wet bubbles on the way for me...
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Ali
Ali Watters
Great Family Photo!
That's one to print out poster size :)