The Big Day - Machu Picchu

   Monday morning we took the bus up to Machu Picchu.  After a group photo, our local guide gave us a tour of the main sites.  Then some of us hiked to the top of Wayna Picchu.  The views were spectacular, so may have too many pictures.
  Loved the fog and clear sky on the way up.

Our first glimpse of the ruins.

At the site.

The whole group.

The Incas did a lot of work up here!

They sure knew how to build walls!

Wayna Picchu

Earthquakes have done some damage -- but still standing.

They sculpted the stone like the mountain behind.

Couldn't get enough of these views!

Here's a glimpse of the road up.

At the start of the trail up Wayna Picchu.

Another view.

To get up, you have to first go down.  J. Lynn decided this would be as far as she would go.

Then you go up.  Here's Angela.

It was nice hiking on the back side in the shade.  View was great, too!

Many stopped here at the platform near the top.

I took a look and decided I could go on up.

Great views from on top.  Looks like a long way down to the ruins!

The Incas did quite a bit of work on top.


Documented my arrival.

Angela hadn't wanted Terry to come on up, but he followed me after a few minutes.  Caught me by surprise on top.  There were a bunch of folks waiting to get their pictures taken on the rock over the ruins.  Terry snapped this one.

Going down from the top was the only really spooky part.  I did get a little wobbly!

Most didn't seem afraid of heights.


More of the ruins on top.

Back down, met a llama,

Then wandered around the ruins for a bit.


















This was a condor - rock wings on either side, head on the ground.



We reconnected with J. Lynn at the exit in the afternoon.  Took the bus back down the mountain, had a late lunch, then took the train back to Cusco for a late supper.  All in all, a fantastic day!

Sunday -- Chincheros and Urubamba

  Sunday morning, many of us had the opportunity to attend Sacrament meeting at a chapel near downtown Cusco.  J. Lynn had had a bad night, so opted to stay at the hotel.  She missed the opportunity to play for the meeting, so they had to settle for me.  With two stakes in Cusco (and a second temple announced for Lima), I was struck by the fact that the Church really is world-wide!  Our leader translated the talks for us over our radios, and it was interesting to hear a sister missionary from Chile (if I'm remembering correctly) speak about the importance of family history and temple work.

  After church we left for Chincheros and Urubamba.  Saw some beautiful Andes peaks en route.
  In Chincheros, we were treated to a demonstration of how alpaca wool is cleaned, dyed and woven. The red dye comes from a parasite.  Put juice in it, and it turns more purple.  They washed the dirty alpaca hair in a juice that turned foamy, and it came out clean.  Then they dyed it.




We stopped by the market.  No shortage of food.

Heading on toward the valley

Loved the valley and the Andes peaks.

Some Inca work on the hillside above us.  Plus some cute kids fundraising for the family.

Had a lovely lunch at this place before heading into the valley to see the Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo.

A bit of ancient rock work.

 

Note the face carved in the mountain, as well as the dwellings to the right.  Larger version below.

Our guide

explaining the Inca rock work.

At the top.

After our visit there, we boarded the train to Aguas Calientes at the end of the valley below Machu Pichu.

Almost there.

The square at night.  Statue is of the Inca conqueror.