Cross One Off the Bucket List

If I kept a bucket list, and now I'm thinking maybe I should, Machu Picchu would probably have made the top twenty. I'd say that now I don't have to add it to my list, but I probably will anyway just so I can have something that's already crossed off.

After a few lovely sunny and relaxing days in Cusco, the rains came. But ever the intrepid traveler (and with train tickets already booked), I set off for Machu Picchu anyway! The train normally leaves directly from Cusco, but in the off season you have to bus to the next stop at Ollantaytambo, a town well worth visiting in its own right. The train company offers a direct bus service, but I opted to save the sawbuck and take public transport. After a few failed attempts at restarting the engine on the first big hill out of Cusco, my first bus finally gave up and let all the passengers off to try for another one. I made most of the 2 hour trip to Urubamba squeezed into the aisle, but it's kind of fun trying to keep balance with the curvy roads and old ladies with heavy bundles leaning on you, and besides, my arm muscles needed a bit of work. Then it was into a smaller van to get the rest of the way to Ollantaytambo.

I spent some time at the ruins there, with some classic terracing, old fortifications, and even a little pre-Inkan structure!

Trying something new in self-portraiture.

The steeeeep climb past the terracing.

My lovely umbrella, which the winds at the top of the terracing promptly blew apart.

Waiting to board the train!

After a short sleep in Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo (town), I woke up at 4am to get my ticket and hop the bus to the site. I took a tour with a fellow traveler from my hostel and learns all kinds of facts which I forgot immediately.

Misty morning overlooking terracing.

Me and the classic postcard view of Machu Picchu.

Llamas! Climbing stairs!!

And having the funniest little feet I've ever seen!

Sadly, I was unable to get one of 400 spots to climb Wayna Picchu, a mountain overlooking the ruins which offers spectacular views, but I was assured by my guide that climbing up to the Inti Punktu, or Sun Gate, would get me to the same elevation and possibly even better views. So after wandering meditatively around the ruins on my own for awhile (read: taking pictures of llamas), I set off.

Stone trail made hundreds of years ago by real Inkas. Neat!!

The view about halfway up. Looking pretty good!

And the view from the top after the clouds and rain came in.

And now, a photo series of my reaction to the heavy rain:

Grr, it's raining.

Well, I guess there's not much I can do about it.

And besides, I'm at Machu Picchu, I feel great!

And now, some pictures of me jumping in the ruins:

You can see more pictures on my picasa!