WOW. What a beautiful and enchanting day. The weather was warm and sunny as we started our journey through the sacred valley and up, up, up on a winding mountain road to 11,502 ft. The vistas along the way were incredible with jutting green mountain sides and the wildly flowing Urubamba river in the valley. Andean women and children were tending their gardens and their livestock and looked surprised to see us as we rounded each bend. After about an hour, we arrived at a village. The children on the playground of the school came running over to see us and they waved and smiled. We stopped for a while and took photos and learned about their village life. Several of the women came nearby and set up shop.
After descending the mountain we stopped at Ollantaytambo, the second most important Incan site. Our guide Pedro did a great job of explaining the historical significance of the site. Many in our group climbed to the top, but I felt that I should keep the stragglers company in the Inca Coca Cafe. Afterwards we stopped for a huge buffet lunch at a lovely colonial hacienda with beautiful gardens. They had coca tea, coca buns and coca cookies. I decided that it was my duty to try all three. It´s official, I am now addicted.
Another early morning tomorrow as we check out from our hotel and board the vistadome train to Aguas Caliente, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We will then motorcoach our way up to the top and spend the day at the summit. Can´t wait!
Well, it is time to climb the mountain to my hotel room again. Luckily the walkway winds through pretty gardens with fountains. The sky is clear tonight so we might get to see the Southern Cross. I better get one more cup of coca tea to help me make it to the top.
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