Weds 29th
Up at 4.30am for the final trek to Machu Pichu, wheather is overcast and drizzle. After the soaking yesterday we feel quite cheerful that today cannot be as bad but by 5am its raining and we are about to start walking. I had thought it was a short walk today but we walked from 5am to 9.40 and were tired, cold and thinking just another step, one step at a time when upon reaching a peak (and we had reached many peaks and troughs) I glimpsed Machu Pichu. It was amazing, breathtaking unbelievable but then it was gone. Covered by cloud and rain but I had glimpsed magic and had new energy to go on. Felt a bit sorry for Jim as he had carried his flag all this way for a background shot of Machu Pichu and all he got was a background of cloud. It was really magical and i am glad we got a few second glimpse of the site from above. Still we know we were there, will never forget. The rain did not seem to matter on that final decent to the ruins and on half hour later we were having tea and the best sandwich ever (so hungry were we) and having a bit of a rest before we toured the ruins. It was a great tour and we learned loads about the Incas and their way of life, once again our guide was fantastic and knowledgeable. Robin answered the most questions, he has obviously not been too tired to listen at all the other sites.
By 1pm we were taking the bus to Aguas Calientas where we got dried out and spent a little time writing postcards and checking e mails before we boarded the train back to Cusco at 5pm. What an experience, I just hope jim will come to appreciate as he thinks we are a bit mad to do all this at the moment. On the train we met another couple joining our tour who are from Haverhill,Newmarket, what a small world.
Jim keeps saying he wished he had done Michu Pichu by train but i do know in time to come he will be glad we did the trek. Robin has walked in the footsteps of the incas and i am glad we did it that way even if it was a bit tough, wet and uncomfortable