Sunday, December 5, 2010

We Make Our Way To Machu Picchu


From Cusco we traveled by bus through Urubamba to Ollantaytambo where we caught the train to Aguas Calientes, the last stop on the way to Machu Picchu.




I included this photo taken from the bus in Urubamba because it's the only photo I have of the tuk tuk's, golf cart taxis.  There are tuk tuk's in Guatemala and Thailand as well, and they are called tuk tuk's there too!  I don't know where that word originated, but it seems that it's becomming universal.


In Ollantaytambo, we boarded the train.  Small farms dot the valley on the way upriver to Aguas Calientes.


Here's some of the gang in front of our hotel in Aguas Calientes.  The hotel caters to backpackers visiting Machu Picchu.  Everyone is expected to be on an early schedule.



Here are some views of the village of Aguas Callientes.  Less than a year ago the river flooded and many of the roads and part of the railroad were washed out.  Reconstruction is still underway.





Just down the block from the hotel, we caught the shuttle bus to the Machu Picchu entrance. The bus climbs an incredible switchback road up the mountain to the gate.



The initial view of Machu Picchu is spectacular - very surreal.  I found it hard to believe I was actually there.


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