Monday, June 2, 2014
Inka bridge
The bridge was smaller than I have thought. It is now closed. I am glad as I would be a bit leery to walk on it as there was no barrier on the cliff side and the bridge was made out of a few logs of wood.
Bridge
We were so high up and almost reached to the top of some mountains. This is a view of the river which eventually feed into the Amazon river.
Inka Bridge Trail
This trail was not as long as the one to the Sun Gate but the trail was considerably narrower. At some point, the road was less than 15 cm wide and the other side was a cliff going straight down. There were no barriers to the cliff. So if you were afraid of height and if the trail was crowded, it could be quite dangerous. I was glad that majority of the tourists do not have time to hike up here. In fact, you have to sign in and out in the middle of the trail so that the ranger could keep tap on everyone. If you forgot to sign out, they would send in a search team to make sure everyone returns from the trail safely.
View from Inka Bridge
Right after we finished the Sun Gate, we headed back to the main site and went immediately to another trail to the Inka bridge. This is a view of MP from a different angle.
Intipunku - Sun Gate
Here is the proof that I was actually on the Inka trail to the Intipunku - Sun Gate.
Look out at Sun Gate
We hiked over an hour on the last portion of the Inca Trail to get to the Sun Gate. The view was most breath taking. I can only imagine what the ancient Inka people must have felt when they reached the Sun Gate after days of walking in the mountains and suddenly, MP appeared in front of them. The view was most incredible. We rested a bit over a cliff to soak in the sight and the surrounding. Even though the hike was longer than I anticipated, the road was not even and some of the uphill climb on those steps were challenging to my knees, the hike and the view at the end was definitely worth the effort! So glad I went as I almost ready to give up hiking up hill in the middle of a hot sunny day at MP.
Looking Back Up ...
We started at the top of the terraces first thing in the morning and now have walked to the bottom level. 
Llama at MP
The Peruvian government put a few llamas and sheep at MP to attract tourists for photos as well as a natural way to keep the grass low. I found out that the llama's lips are quite soft as it licked and nibbled my palm.
Sun Dial
As an astronomical observation. Based on the sun light, Inka has been using the shadows to calculate the farming calendar.
Prototypic Pic at MP
Most people would take a pic of MP from this rock and the line up to get on this rock was incredible first thing in the morning. This spot provides a panoramic view of the site.
Young mountain - Wayna Picchu
This young mountain only allows 400 people to hike up each day. It is supposed to offer a good view of the site. However, we were told by our guide that the view is actually better at the Sun Gate which we plan to hike up later in the morning.
Sun Rise Over the Andes
The sun came up over the Andes Mountains around 7:00 am. It was a bit later than expected but it has proven to be a wonderful sunny day ahead.
Machu Picchu
Wow - we finally made it to MP. It was an incredible feeling as we sat on the edge of a terrace, waiting for the sun to rise. Even though many people came up to watch the sun rise, but the bulk of the tourist have yet to arrive till later in the morning. That gave us an opportunity to take in the ruins and enjoy the atmosphere there. I was at awe! Initially, I was a bit worry that MP was a bit too touristy and that I may be disappointed given that we had been to many ruins in Peru and some of them were so spectacular. I was glad that I was not disappointed and the MP had lived up to its reputation. So thankful to have this opportunity to visit this incredible site.
Machu Picchu - Finally here!
We got up to the MP around 6:00 am and found a spot to wait for the sun to rise. As can be seen from the photo that the sun has yet to risen and the site is still relatively dark. It will have a different look once the sun is out.
Long line up at the bus station at 5:00 am
It was a race to get up to the top to MP. As soon as we left our hotel, everyone was running to the line up for the bus. It was a bit crazy to see such a scene at 5:00 am.
Breakfast at 4:45 am
Despite the early rise, we were surprised to find that the breakfast room was full. I guess everyone was doing the same thing. Getting up early to see the sunrise at MP. It was too bad that we did not have time to enjoy the food as the food selection was quite good.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Close encounter
As the guide was explaining our itinerary for tomorrow to MP, the door at the hotel was open and the train just passed by. If you extended your hand out, you could actually touch the train from the front door. The entire town was built around the train station. The railroad tracks were right at the front door. We asked a room that faced the back rather than the front. Otherwise, the trains would be very noisy during the night. We just checked in the hotel and by the time we settled, it was 10:00 pm and we have to wake up at 4:15 am in order to get ready to catch the 5:30 am bus up to MP. The guide told us that the line up at the bus station could start at 5:00 am. That means our breakfast will be really early at 4:45 am. Our personal record to eat so early :)
Chaotic Platform
As the train pulled onto the platform, we saw many people holding up signs with guests' names written on to pick them up from the train station. If you didn't know this was a train station, you may think that there was a protest going on as people shouting the names out. We were the first few to get off and were immediately led to our hotel which was only a few minutes walk from the station.
All Aboard to Machu Picchu
After waited outside for hours in cold and dark because our train leaves at 7:00 pm, after the sunset, we got on the train Expedition which will take us to the base of MP at the town of Aguas Calientes to stay for one night and get on the bus next morning at 5:30 am to ride to MP to observe the sunrise there. So glad the train is heated. The Aguas Calientes town is only one street and no cars are allowed. We have no idea where we will stay as the tour was prearranged and hope that someone will show up at the train station to drop us off at a hotel tonight. Yet another unknown and adventure await us .,,
Long line up to get on the train at Ollantaytbo
I don't know what people would do during the rainy season. There is no cover and everyone just line up outside wile waiting for the train. This is worse than in Egypt. At least they have a cover area even though there was not labeling of destination at the station there. Improvement is definitely needed.
Train Station at Ollantaytbo
This is one of the worse train station i have been to so far. There is no waiting area or covered area for passengers. Everyone is waiting outside on the street for hours.
Original Inca street
Water channels are still available along the buildings. The streets are narrow but retained its own distinctive style. Very nice to wander around to get a taste of the ancient Inca times.
Amazing Climb
We were walking in the middle of the mountain just a few hours ago. The sun is about to set and we will be heading to MP first thing in the morning. MP is on the other side of these Andes mountains.
Ollantaytambo
There were hundreds of steps to climb up to the top. All the steps were not even but it is still a very popular place for tourists to come visit. The town is relatively small but swell with tourists in late afternoons when tour buses drop them off to see the ruins. Traffic on the narrow streets were chaotic.
Seismic ready preinca
For stability, the walls were angled. This is also the signature style of the ancient Inca. The small rock in between the big rocks was to ensure there would be movement and stability in times of earth quake. They already knew how to seismic upgrade their structures thousands of years ago. Very smart. Also, if you look closely, there were no cement to stick the rocks together. Rather, all the rocks were fit seamlessly. They did it by polishing the surfaces of each rock to ensure they fit perfectly.
Ollantaytambo Ruins
It used to be a military, religious, administrative and farming complex. Built on top of two mountains.
Lunch Buffet
Every time we joined a tour, we always get the same type of buffet. I am not sure if these dishes are truly Peruvians as they are not tasty at all.
Bar is open
As we were driving along the roads, we have seen a pole sticking out the houses with different colours wrapped around the tip. It signals that the bar is open and workers around the farm land can come by to buy the Chicha drink. In ancient times, Inca farmers work on the farm land really early like 4:00 am to 10:00 am so that it would not be too hot. By mid day, they would be very hungry and look for the pole to signal that chicha drinks are available. If the pole is not shown, that means the lady of the house was not ready to sell the drink.
Cuy = Guinea Pig
At Piscaq, Sunday is a special day for Cuy and you see stands along the road and Cuys are being roasted for lunch. People from all over the city to taste the delicacy.
Inca woman
The women would sit in front of their products and weave at the same time. The colours are tremendous. I was hoping to get a bed spread but they were too small.
Baker at Pisaq
Using traditional stone oven, the baker bakes a whole day long and people can buy them in pieces or buy the sandwich directly from them.
Pisaq markets
The Mestizo town's market is quite well known. Sunday has the biggest draw of vendors and shoppers.
Sacred Valley
It has a good agriculture. Good weather and high altitude. Good microclimate. Good source of water from the river and glacier. Fertile soil. All these reasons explains why the locals grow things well. They are particularly known for the biggest corns in the world - 20 to 25 cm. there are 25 different types of corns grow here. There are 3500 different kinds of potatoes. The Inca grow different kinds of potatoes, corns and quinoa according to the climate and altitudes. 
There are three different types of terraces built in these area: Agriculture, retaining wall to prevent erosion and narrow ones like at MP that served as decoration.
Ruin at Sacred Valley
We had to climb up to the top of the ruins. Once again. we are reminded to travel when we are young and healthy. Walking up and down of the hills on uneven pavement can be challenging, not to mention the high altitudes at 3600 m.
Drying the corns
Sacred Valley - locals drying the different colours of corns on the ground. Most of them are white corn and their size is huge.
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