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This is the raging river.
Actually I think it was because we were caught in a natural disaster of epic proportions and we made it out alive! More on that part later!
That said, it was a spiritual adventure as well – seeing the ruins for the first time, after hiking up a very steep, very narrow rock “stair case” to a place identified with crude signs simply as “Panoramic” we made our way to a level rock ledge that looked out over the citadel that is Machu Picchu. Almost more spectacular than the ruins themselves are the surrounding Andes Mountains peeking out of the mist that shrouds them.
As Dale set up his tripod I watched as the breeze came in and out and with it the clouds would ebb and flow – allowing me peaks of the peaks and views of the incredible views. The altitude here is just 8,000 feet – but you feel like you are on top of the world! We had heard that you never know what you will get, as far as weather is concerned, when you are in Machu Picchu – that some days it is bright and clear and others it is shrouded in mist…and that either way is just perfect! And I have to say that is true. The fact is the mist makes you feel more connected to the greenery as you see how the plants thrive on the moisture. You can almost feel the moss growing in the nooks and crannies of the intricately laid granite stone — the moss that seems to glow when the sun light breaks through and warms the rocks just enough to evaporate the mist and the cycle begins all over again. Mist, sun, mist, sun — it is a song and dance that has been going on here for a long time and you can feel the history in its’ tango.
We waited for the right moment, when the mist pulled back just enough for Dale to take some panoramic pictures and then we headed down into the citadel. There were tourists from all over the world at this archeological “melting pot” and everyone seemed in a jovial mood. For more detailed information on Machu Picchu you can copy this link into your browser or simply Google “Machu Picchu” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu.
It took us about 2 hours to walk all the way around the complex and Dale took a lot of photos and a few movies! Once down for the mountainside, we went to the Sanctuary Lodge (situated at the entrance to Machu Picchu) and went to the restaurant for lunch and a nice cool bottle of Vueve for a celebratory toast to another bucket list getting checked off!
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Picture Gallery: http://travelwithdm.smugmug.com/Travel/South-America/Machu-Picchu-Jan-23-2010/25153582_ctNhsx#!i=2062622473&k=RLdbtbx
Margaret