Wednesday March 9th
Guess what we did today? Yup. Visit Machu Picchu.
It all started at 4am, when we woke up and joined the line of people waiting for the first buses to Machu Picchu. We did this so that we could be some of the first people in the NEXT line, outside of Machu Picchu’s entrance gates, to get an authorization stamp to climb Huayna Picchu (only 400 people get to climb it each day, and it’s first-come, first-served).
Ahh, 4:30. What a magical hour.
After entering the park, our first stop was the “guardhouse” where we awaited our guide. Hey look, it’s Machu Picchu!
The last time I was in Peru (2007), my friend Patrick and I skipped Cusco and MP because they’re so touristy. Well, they are touristy—that’s a fact. But I really enjoyed finally getting to see the ancient Incan kingdom.
Requisite butt shot.
Trip leader shot.
Myspace shot.
…and a few more group shots.
Our tour guide loved talking about the triangles that are everywhere and how they relate to the glaciers and asked if we were “CLEAR TO THE IDEA?”
Vicious wild llamas wandered the ruins.
Wild “chinchillas” too.
And “Andean eagles”
We climbed up Huayna Picchu, the big mountain that you typically see photographed next to Machu Picchu.
Goodbye Machu Picchu.
