When my mind isn't wandering, I can think pretty intensely.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Day 9.5: Exploring Machu Picchu. After a brain boggling tour of the ruins, team Kling, took the afternoon to wander the area and summit the mountain. Locating the Inca Bridge, we stood amazed at the pure determination and courage the Incans had, crossing this narrow, solid rock bridge running the length of an almost vertical >1900ft rock face. They were serious about potatoes.
As it was our last day on the journey and one of the wonders of the world, “to summit or not to summit” Macchu Picchu mountain slipped in to conversation. Friends, you may laugh here; however, team Kling swallowed a deep breath and pushed with no desire to come short of one last adventure. After an insane, 2000ft rocky staircase, we arrived at one of the most incredible views I’ve witnessed. The look down on Machu Picchu and surrounding mountain range pressed such a sense of size in to my worn out self.
Photo two is Alex snapping me under the Inca flag as I shot photo three.
Day 8: Walk to Aquas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu.
After a short shuttle ride to Hidrolectricas(a hydroelectric project), we did some checkpoint procedures with our passports and disembarked to begin the day’s walk. Following a railroad track to the town of Aquas Calientes, cruising along a river, flat and scenic. Dotting the mountainsides, we witnessed history preserved through legendary architecture as more agricultural terraces seems to blend in as one with the landscape.
The pictures show one of the many dogs, strolling the trail, looking for handouts and part of the river running through the valley. After some previous experience with flowing water and slower shutter speeds, Alex and I hiked(slipped and slid) down from the railroad tracks to the river. We snapped a few shots and managed to get back up to the path. Side note: I believe the mountain on the far side of the river is Huayna Picchu.
