An early morning start out to Machu Picchu by train from Ollantaytambo , all be it may a single carriage . It was very comfortable little train , we even got served drinks and nibbles for the 1.5hr trip
Looking out the window on our way to MP
End of the line at Aguas Calientes , next its on a bus up to Machu Picchu
Ther first thing we did was walk up to the Sun Gated , Its about an hrs return walk, all up hill on the way up . Its the gateway to Machu Picchu when you come in from the Inka Trail 4 day walk .
Back in the Inka days , it was how they knew when the winter solace was reached . The sun shone through the gate and onto a stone down at a temple in Machu Picchu , so meaning that winter had reach its zenth . The photo above is on the walk up to the gate .
Reaching the Sun Gate , and it was a hell of a walk
Me , Terry and Dave after reaching the gate , see in the back ground Machu Picchu . We were a bit unlucky because the clouds never cleared , we could not get the fantastic view back down to MP . Ruth and I walked the trail about 8 to 10years ago and were lucky to have seen the view back down , fantastic !!
On the way back down I got a Terry to take my picture ; great side ways shot , Terry
First good site of MP on the way down from the sun gate
Same as above
Same as above MP
The Inka bridge
If the Inkas were invaded they could remove the planks . Amazing feat if you look hard you can see that it is build on the side of a mountain
One of the most sacred places in MP
Back at Ollantaytambo , looking back up the the Inka ruins
We had a walk around the old Inka village of Ollantaytambo , just a couple of local kids
Just a few locals in the main square
On our way back to Cusco we went up to yet more Inka ruins ( Pisaq). While we were there a group that had come from Puno to do some sort of dance at the Ruins
They even asked us to dance with them , then it was photo time on the bikes . This happens a lot when we stop , we get the same question
How much does it cost ?
Where are you from ?
How fast does it go?
Where are you going ?
The people must thing I understand Spanish , for when I answer
Buggered if I know , or some times I say bloody heaps
New Zealanda , and they go oh Zealanda ( they have no idea where that is anyway )
Then I say Bloody fast
And last I say To the end of the world
They all nod and go oh !! like they understand what I am saying
Quite funny really because I only think that is what they are saying . A local told me way back that , that is what you will be asked by everybody .
What a happy little kid on da Tiger
One of the dancers from Puno on Terrys bike
Sacred Valley
of the Inkas
Pretty Typicial houses of the Farming Villages
As Above
Heading to Puno , we are about 3800mts above sea level most of the way
Just before Puno we got hit by a huge hail storm , and had to wait it out in a petrol station
Puno
It was pretty cold there and quite a nice town
Leaving Puno for the Bolivian Border , the border was a very easy crossing and took us bugger all time to cross
Copacabana which is just inside the Bolivian border
Leaving Copacabana for the ferry , looking back onto Lake Titicaca
Terry and Bob on the ferry
Next it was Daves and my turn
Then it was into La Paz
La Paz is like a soup bowl , we rode on a flat plan for about 200kms , then you come to a big hole in the ground , like a soup bowl ,with La Paz inside it . The top is at 4000mts above seas level and the bottom is 3800mts , with huge mountains all around . It was a hell of ride in the traffic to get down to the centre, it is just bedlam
La Paz
Dave and I outside San Pedro Prison , it is right in the middle of La Paz . It is one of the South Americas most notorious , and is know as one of the biggest Coccine Manufactures in Bolivia . A good book to read on this prison is called Marching Powder
Streets of La Paz for the next 6 Pics , I would say one of the most colourful cities in the world
A shop in the witches market , they sell heaps of strange stuff (below)
I have always liked Bolivia for its colour , the people seem a lot happier this time , and again not as many beggars on the streets as there was last time we were there .
I say again come and visit these countries , they are just great and lots of fun . The people again are fantastic and just love to talk to you, even if you speak not a work of Spanish
Dont forget to look at Daves Blog
www. granfuga.blogspot.com
he does a great blog
