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Early morning wake up call at 3am. I was already up because I had a dodgy feeling in my belly but there was no way I was heading to the toilets on my own in the dark after all the ghost stories last night, so I just had to keep myself occupied, so I decided to start slowly getting ready about 2.15am. I didn't have as bad of a nights sleep as the night before but still not great.
We felt a shake on the tent at 3am on the dot and a loud 'Buenos días chicas á chicos'. A bowl of warm water followed and we were up an out of the tent by 3.20am, a gathering took to the delightfully smelly toilets that always bring a memory back of Asia. In the communal tent for 3.30am breakfast call.
We had to be up and out of the tents by 3.30am at the latest because the porters had to catch their 5.30am train which was an hour away so they had to pack everything up super quick and run down the hill. If they didn't make that train they would have had to wait until 9pm that evening...
I had a sip of hot chocolate this morning but I couldn't face any bread and jam because of the stomach cramps and sheer panic I was going to have an accident in my pants. Sort of dreading this hike, especially with no toilets and lots of people around us.
We got to the check point about five minutes after leaving camp. We had to wait there until 5.30am before we were allowed onto the path. We weren't far behind in the line which was good! However an hour and half wait sat on our ponchos it was, I ran up and down the hill around six times for the toilet. So I was lucky we did stop but I was worried I wasn't going to stop... it was as though someone was doing a Chinese knot with my stomach and then releasing. I tried to sleep but it wasn't best comfortable.
We were lucky the moon was out and the clouds were clearing, if it had been raining like yesterday I don't think there would have been very many happy people. We would have been soaked! We could finally make out that there was a massive valley in front of us with a river and a train track running next to it, it was incredible to see! The clouds were just lingering around the river, we were all doing our mountain dance - prey to the mountains for the good weather!
We eventually began our hike, it was around 5km but only 2 hours because there wasn't as much incline and descent as there have been.
The mountain path was still wet from yesterday's massive downpour of rain, it wasn't a tough walk. Most parts were gradual ups and downs and it was a lovely walk to take in the scenery. Everyone seemed to pick their pace up today because the goal was in sight! We were taking our layers off whilst walking, someone holding a bag and another holding poles for the one person to redress. There was no time to mess about.
I breathed through the waves of pain, incomfort and panic of not having a toilet handy anywhere except the trees.
We climbed the 100 vertical monkey steps that were twice as big as one normal step anywhere else. (You'd think these tiny Incas would make smaller steps for themselves)
That was the best feeling in the world reaching the top of those steps! We were there... finally! At the sun gate looking at Machu Picchu! So many mixed emotions, I didn't know whether to cry or smile or laugh, anything! It was crazy!
The best part about it was that we could actually see it! Because if it had been yesterday we would have had no chance. Lathered was still a lot of cloud passing through the valley but we could deal with that!
We regrouped and took our well deserved group photo at the sun gate!
After around 30 minutes of trying to sink everything in, we headed for the finally. Another 30-40 minute walk down to the ruins, it was incredible!
Again we had photos and enjoyed the scenery before heading out of the ruins to get passport stamped and show our ticket to get back in, its weird I know but it's 'regulations'.
Jonathon spoke about the ruins with us and told some history about the place, it's so difficult to understand and remember everything because the names are so confusing.
This place was built as a city for high class citizens such as doctors, musicians, artists and the kings. It had Colcas where the workers slept and things were stored.
The entire place is still standing only due to the terraces built around he bottom and throughout the grounds of the city, if these weren't here it would never be standing due to erosion and earthquakes. It would have only ever held 2500 people, they aren't sure whether or not the plans were to extend because the Spanish invaded and they stopped building.
The place was found by an American tourist who was travelling Peru for ruins and archeological purposes. Apparently he reached one town and was looking for a certain ruined city, instead a 12 year old boy said that he used to go to somewhere on top of the mountain to sit and relax or play, he called it 'Machu Picchu'.
Machu Picchu - Old Mountain (don't miss that 2nd 'C' out of Picchu because you'll find yourself in a bit of a predicament if your speaking to a Spanish person... Pichu - penis)
The mountain was originally a quarry, that's where they got most of the stones from to build it. It's pretty impressive how they built these huge walls with just wood and string made out of hay to pull the stones on top of one another.
We had a look around and again took the beauty in! It was pretty special... and then to top it off Slavy calmly pointed and said 'hey, is that a condor?'
Oh wow! It was a condor, gliding in the wind. We were so lucky! They are so rare to see here! Someone must have prayed to the gods last night for us to have good weather and see one of the largest and heaviest birds in the world gliding around! We may not have seen them in Colca Canyon but we've seen them now! Our trip was complete!
Everyone was feeling super tired and drained, now we have stopped it's all caught up with us. After almost 3 hours in Machu Picchu we caught one of the buses down to the town where we were all meeting, it was so comfortable to be sat on one of these chairs, we all almost collapsed asleep, if it wasn't for the windy roads back and forth then I think I would have passed out.
The town, 'Aguas Calientes' was way bigger than I thought it was going to be, we were meeting in 'hot springs 2' for lunch. It was a cute town by the water. The trains went right passed the outside of the restaurant, it was as though we were on a sort of platform.
We got the restaurant for 12.45pm, some of the gang was already here. Six of us arrived and collapsed on the seats, beer all around! Plus maybe a few paracetamols each. My stomach was a little better but I was worried to eat anything.
I couldn't keep my eyes open for very long, me and Georgia fell asleep with our heads in our arms. We got woken up when it was time to say goodbye to our guides and hand over their well deserved tips. It was a lump in the throat moment, you could tell that they were passionate about their job and their country. So passionate in fact that Jonathon is starting the inca trail all over again tomorrow with another group! Crazy!!
We had to wait until 2.30pm before we headed for the train and jumped aboard first class. It was lovely! Windows in the ceiling to stare at the amazing mountains, we had a complementary drink aswell.
It's just a shame that I couldn't stay awake for majority of it. Scott was hating the travelling backwards on a train aswell so he was doing great, the concentration on his face to not spew was brilliant!
We arrived in Ollantayambo at 4.30pm, a quick pee in an actual westernised toilet with toilet paper and running water and we walked to the bus, it was a little strange being amongst others in civilisation again after a few days.
The bus ride was bumpy but had a good view. I think the only person who didn't sleep was scott, he was full of energy apparently. Must have been walking too slow...
The view again was insane! We could see the peaks of some of the mountains with snow on the top of them.
I had a pounding headache and my body was saying go to bed but we arrived in Cusco at 6.30pm, our bags were already in our allocated rooms and we were all going out for a few drinks with Renzo as it was our last night together because three were going home tomorrow.
The shower was the best thing I had ever had! I even got to dry my hair with Aussie Lauren's travel hair dryer! Incredible feeling, I woke up so much more after that!
Me, Scott, Sara, Slavy and American Lauren went for food together. We split up so it wouldn't take as long for places to order our food. We went to a little Italian on the square, Scott had a meat feast pizza (personally I think there was more cheese on it than there was meat, but who am I to judge on that topic!) I had a chicken Caesar salad and a small plate of fries. The first thing I had all day and it was good! Not amazing, but good!
We met up in the lobby as a group of 14 for drinks and card games at 9pm, we bought a bottle of piece sours between us - ew! It was like vodka and tequila mixed together.
We presented Renzo with a his tip and a little gift (we all wrote a thank you in a little book for him) going to miss that guy! It's right what we all said... he's set the standard high for any of our next g adventure tours with any other guide now.
We all got a little merry, faster than usual. Most probably because of the altitude and lack of sleep we all had. A few of us went out for a boogie to the clubs just around the corner from us. It was free to get in and Renzo worked his magic with us all getting free drink cards each. After each bar the numbers began to dwindle, towards the end there was only me, Scott, Maggie, Jaydin, Sara and Renzo. It was so much fun, and they had English music!
Me, Scott and Maggie headed home about 2am - how i stayed up that late I do not know!
Maybe it was the adrenaline of a fab day!?
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