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| Machu Picchu, Peru |
I watched a movie once that showed the Andes mountains and the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and casually said, "I'd like to go there if I had someone to do it with."
I happened to say it when my brother Bob and his wife Elaine were visiting and he said he thought he'd like to hike it. Oooops. I really had no idea what I'd got myself into. I can walk forever but we don't do much climbing in the lowcountry.
This was four days hiking in to the sanctuary through high passes of some of the most glorious mountains in the world. We hiked with guides who set up tents, fed us and carried the bulk of our luggage. On the last morning we were first up and at the entrance ready to hike in. The path was slippery and narrow along the side of the mountain and we hiked single file in the dark. We couldn't see anything except our feet in front of us. We arrived at the Sun Gate at dawn and this is what we saw. Clouds. I didn't even know that we had arrived until the mist lifted and we were there. Unbelievable.
17 comments:
beautiful, it's one of my dreams to visit this place.
Joan, did the high altitude affect you? I want to go see Machu Picchu at some point but back when I was stationed in Colorado it took me months to get use to the thin air.
Wow... what an amazing journey. The first picture looks like the guy and his llamas live on the edge of the universe. I like Travel Tuesdays!
Well worth it. Such incredible scenery.
I did okay. I was worried since we live at sea level. Of course, I drank the coca tea morning, noon and night not realizing what was in it. I had a silly grin on my face in every pictures.
Amongst the clouds and angels...
Beautiful! Good to see your "Walk This Way" t-shirt again.
There you are in one of the most beautiful and picturesque scenery in the world and I'm admiring your t-shirt!
So...what's in coca tea? Should I be drinking it at work to smile more?
It has the alkaloid that is in cocaine. I had no idea and it is very mild but I do drink a lot of tea. Someone told me I might not want to drink it before bed and I said, Oh, no, I am a tea granny, I can drink it and go to bed. Apparently there is enough to make a urine test positive for cocaine. I had a good laugh about it. They encourage drinking it for altitude sickness and digestion. Worked for me!
It has been a while!
It was pretty amazing.
They do! More travel Tuesdays to come.
What a grand experience !! Many good memories and terrific photos.i think that I should have some of that coca tea to survive this campaign and election!
Outstanding, Joan! My daughter climbed up to Machu Pichu a few years ago, in her early 20s. She has suggested that we should do it with her. It would take a lot of prior training, but I haven't ruled it out. Love your silhouette photo.
We loved the coca tea! Some of our fellow hikers had GI problems; we thought that was more from the muddy/hygiene conditions, although a hiker in another tour group actually died from altitude sickness (the pulmonary kind) the last night on the trail. The worst part for me was the slippery rocks. Definitely a must-do trip!
Yes, they tell everyone to drink it for the altitude and for digestion. A friend recently brought me back a box.
Slippery - I was so attached to my walking poles I almost wanted to bring them back on the plane. Couldn't have done it without them.
I love traveling on Tuesdays too! Remind me and I'll pop by for a visit.
Machu Picchu is someplace I have never been!
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