Machu Pucchu-Day 2

She is every bit as beautiful today as she was yesterday morning. 

And today we've decided to watch the sunrise from the back side. 

The sky is just amazing this morning. The sun is up-but not yet over the mountains. Can you see the snow-capped mountains? 

And after our experience yesterday, we now know to treasure the calm & quiet of this morning. The lack of tour groups. The photos without people in the background. There is a quiet trampling of feet as people hike over the rocks that make up MP. The chill of the air & the magestic sight before my eyes. I feel like MP is mine. I don't have to share it with the other 2500 visitors who will be in awe of her beauty. In the morning sunrise, she is a best kept secret, shared with only a few. 

I'm relaxed today knowing we captured amazing photos yesterday. Which is a good thing because our camera batteries died after our 10th shot this morning. Thankfully we have our iPhones. (You'd be amazed how long a battery lasts without wireless or data.) 

Today we tried to climb Mt MP only to realize we needed tickets-which we do not have. We took photos in out GVSU shirts & hope to make the alumni magazine with said photo. We saw the agriculture sector with less tourists as well as the temple sector. 

And we sat in the "unfinished" section & stared at the terraces. Until security told us we had to stand up. 

The massive amount of rock still amazes me. 

And there was another encounter with llamas-this time we pet them. 

And now we are perched on the eastern terraces, relaxing. Taking it all in (and reading the guide book as we decide if we should hire a guide). 

We decided not to hire a guide after checking out prices and re-reading the MP section of our guidebook. Our pervious Cusco/Sacred Valley tours included the how as well as how to identify sacred spaces (no motar & polished stones). I didn't think there was any additional information a guide could provide us with-because most of my questions-the experts don't even know. 

We've met a couple of other groups of travelers & have passed along our tips (3 soles to check a bag is the best money spent all day). One group wanted to know if sunrise was worth it-we said yes for the tranquility. I also shared my sunscreen with them (they had a ginger in the group. I know how we burn). Those human encounters have reminded us of the travel community and how nice people are. A guy even yelled at us that he was a fan of GVSU & had watched our games on ESPN for years. 

And now we sit again-taking in all that is MP from the landing where we first saw her in all her glory. And she is still every bit as amazing as our first glimpse of her. 

We took a break, refilled our water bottles, used the bathrooms and went for another view from the top (went up one staircase 3 times for better views). And we sat again & just took in the wonder. I really like lonely rocks. They are an area of rocks that were cut, but not used. It's quiet. The guards don't care where you walk. And overall it's peaceful. 

Then we "found" a place we had not been before. After two days of combing the place over we discovered two sites we haven't seen!! 

(Not sure what it is as it was not in any of out guides.) Our enjoyment of MP was magnified with this find (and a couple of others which are on Chris' phone). 

We climbed up stairs again & took our final looks. 

And then we waved good bye to Machu Picchu. 

And took the harrowing trip back down the mountain. 

We went to the communal bath ( hence MP pueblo's real name is Aguas Calientes which means warm water in Spanish). Should have listened to the guidebook. Think about it. People who have been in the dust all day (or hiking the trails for 4-7 days) then climb I to stagnant warm water. Not only was the water not warm enough, I couldn't get over the murky color of the water. I was being a good sport and staying in the water for Chris. He was being a good sport for me. The nicest part was the hot hot shower to rinse off before leaving. I stood outside in 40 degree weather in a bathing suit. Skip the public baths if you ever travel to Aguas Calientes-MachuPicchu  city. 

We showered. And are now at dinner where we sit, playing cribbage & enjoying 4 for 1 pisco sours (they are the size of shot glasses). I'm happy that my seat is next to the wood burning oven as restaurant doors are kept open. Wanted to share one if our new found likes. This is stuffed avocado. An avocado with chopped up green beans & red peppers in mayonnaise and sprinkled with a shredded salty cheese ( the cheese here is amazing  no idea what it is ).

We're back to Cusco & then on a night bus to Puno & lake Titicaca. Bolivian visas will determine our next travels.