MACHU PICCHU

I had been waiting to visit Machu Picchu for soooooooooooooo long! Every time i saw the Inca Ruins in pictures or on travel shows a wave of absolute serenity would sweep over me. We decided to go to Peru for our honey moon so that I could fulfil my dream and that we did. We arrived in Cusco on a rainy morning and were met by our taxi that was supplied by the hotel. The taxi was complimentary and the driver spoke basic english. This was not an issue for me because I speak perfect Spanish but don't let this deter you from visiting this amazing city because there are many tour guides that speak English.

The Terra Andina hotel was fantastic, a close walk to the city centre which is absolutely beautful. For a hotel with only 3 stars the rooms were comfortable and the food in the hotel restaurant was so delicious. Breakfast was great they had everything to tantilize the taste buds. Coca tea was on tap to help with the altitude sickness and it works. My only recommendation would be to get a bigger room.

I had prebooked our train tickets to Machu Picchu because even though it was the low season I didn't want to miss out. This can be done through the perurail.com website. Modifications are currently happening at POROY station so we were only able to get a train from OLLANTAYTAMBO. It takes about an hour and a half to get to OLLANTAYTAMBO a lovely little town and you can go via taxi or bus. I opted to use our trusty taxi driver who is training to be a tour guide (Alfonso Farfan Ph:997544825) and also turned out to be part time Police Officer so we were in safe hands. PS: his English is quite good. Off we set for our train ride to "Machu Picchu"! The scenery on the way was amazing and thanks to our trusty taxi driver we got to visit a family business on the way where we got an up close and personal look at how wool was prepared from start to finish and also how they made all sorts of tapestries. It was amazing. The family was called "The Minka family" and it was a previlege to be invited into their home.

Unfortunately that day all trains were cancelled and I was so upset because it was the only way to actually get to the ruins and the only reassurance I got was that if they open the train line again tomorrow morning we will definitely have a seat. To cut a long story short we got onto the train and arrived at the ruins by midday. It was a rainy day (due to it being the rainy season) and purchased the bus and entrance tickets to the ruins at Aguas Calientes and made it to the beautiful ruins. It was all that I expected and all the dramas from the day before disappeared.

Some recommendations if you have limited time as we did make sure that the day you arrive you head off to Machu Picchu and if you can stay at Aguas Calientes do it because it is a fantastic town. The hot water pools are nice too so if you have some time walk up that steep hill and relax for a little while, you can rent towels just before you enter and the bathrooms/changing rooms are very clean. Spend some time at the OLLANTAYTAMBO ruins and drink plenty of water wherever you are. When you book your train ticket make sure you sit on the left hand side on the way there and on the right hand side on your way back that way you get the best view. The Vistadome train with the food service was wonderful it made the trip even more memorable. You will need atleast one day to wander throughout the city of Cusco and I would definitely use a tour guide so that you see a lot more. If you like to take pictures the locals are more than happy to get snap shots taken of them but you should offer them some coins as a nice gesture. It is easy to change money most shops change money. The entrance tickets to Machu Picchu must be paid in soles. Take a rain coat if you are going in the rainy season and this is the best time to go if you don't like crowds.

The ruins are amazing and a must see - ENJOY!