The Epicurious Wanderers!

We’ve been a little quiet on the blog front the last few days, been out of wifi range, and been busy.

Over the last few years Helen and I have ticked a few major items off our bucket list. In 2014 we went to South Africa and saw the Big Five while on game safari,  that was amazing. Last year we went to Cambodia and saw the sun rise over Angkor Wat, also amazing. Yesterday though we topped them both.

The day started with a 4am alarm, breakfast and a quick shower. Then it was off to join the bus queue, at 5am it was already over 500m long. We joined the line in the pre–dawn darkness, the bus service hadn’t even started at this stage. By the time the buses started the queue reached all the way back up the hill to the hot springs entrance. Once the buses began we inched forward one bus load at a time.  The trip up to the entrance was electric, you could sense the anticipation in our fellow passengers.

Once off the bus you join yet another queue to gain entry. Queue jumpers are not popular people at this stage, a popular idea is to put one person in the line while the rest of the group wait off to the side. There were a few tense words as groups of up to 30 tried to squeeze in with their place holder. Not major though, everyone will get in.

Ticket and passport in hand we inched forward until finally we were in. As you round a bend on the trail you get your first glimpse of this awe inspiring location. The postcards you see just aren’t enough to capture the majesty of Machu Picchu.

To think of the sheer scale of the task of building it is mind blowing,  it must have been something to see. Our guide quickly moves us away from the large groups and into the heart of the ‘town’. Having local guides and being just the two of us meant we got to hear things others don’t.  Using Helen’s phone they captured a picture of water reflecting our of a shallow depression in what would have been the King’s chambers.

After our guided section we had time to explore on our own before leaving.  We’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

Then it was time to board the bus back down to Aguas Caliente,  this meant another queue. Then a quick lunch before boarding the train back to Ollyantaytambo, then a the drive back to Cusco.  We were both shattered when we got back to our hotel, but yet still buzzing from the experience.  I know a couple of my colleagues at work have visited Machu Picchu as well, we’ve spoken about it, now i get their excitement when they describe it.  Simply breathtaking.