|
We had to take a train and a bus to
get here, but we arrived at 6am, long before most other people. We had
plenty of time to see the ruins before it started to rain.
The weather was at first cloudy, which provided for some interesting
pictures.
The plateau of the main ruins is at 8,000 feet. The mountain behind it
peaks at about 9,000 feet. (if you look very closely, there are more ruins
at the top of this mountain, we hiked up it later). The valley below, all
around is at about 6200 feet. There are, therefore, 1,800 foot cliffs on
all sides of the village.
We did a little short hike to find an Incan bridge. On the way we
encountered what we named 'The Cliffs of Insanity.' The photograph shows
merely one third of them. They were probably nearly 4,000 feet tall.
Here is the Incan bridge used to pass by a massive cliff.
Another view of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu
We then hiked up Wayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu that I
mentioned earlier. On the way we encountered this striking flower.
The ruins built on top of staggering cliffs were mind boggling. To
consider walking on some of the stairs that they had built (one could fall
3,000 feet if one were to fall) was impossible.
But some of the staircases were mandatory. The green stuff way down by the
river are full grown trees.
A little house near the peak of Wayna Picchu. I would live here if I
could. The panoramic views out of those windows is incomparable.
A view of Machu Picchu from Wayna Picchu.
Machu Picchu again.
NEXT PAGE ---> |
