To the Ends of the Earth — A Travelogue, Memoir, and Other Writing
Machu Picchu
First cloud-shrouded glimpse of Machu Picchu
First, getting there. We departed the hotel early to walk along the creek and through the shops in a light rain to the Peru Rail station. We were accompanied by a troop of dancers and singers dressed in native Inca attire. They were very cheerful and boisterous for that hour of the morning. But it enlivened us all.
Waiting room at the Peru Rail train station in OllantaytamboAn earlier train enroute to Cusco from Aguas FriasThe town of Aguas Frias (Cold Waters) at the end of the train line, the gateway to Machu PicchuFrom the rail station, buses take most visitors to the park entrance. The only other way to get there is to hike the final segment of the Inca Trail from Aguas Frias to the Park Entrance.Entrance to Machu Picchu Archaeological ParkFrom the entrance, it’s a short walk to the first overlook above the ruins. We walked it in a light rain but it made no difference—we were all very happy and grateful to be there.Machu Picchu was built in the 15th Century during the reign of Inca Emperor Pachamanca.It is located at an altitude of 7,970 feet or 2,430 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains north of Cusco—its actual purpose remains a mystery.A portal exemplary of the site’s dry stone construction; the steel ramps were added later to protect stone thresholds from excessive wear and to provide safer passage.
On, to the Temple of the Sun…
The Temple of the Sun was supposedly the site of a celestial calendar.The Temple of the SunI have to check on this but I think this is the Intihuatana ritual stone or altar—there are some slighly smaller ones nearby.More examples of intricate dry-stone construction; note the size and shape of the stones.The central green commonsLooking across the central green commons; note the terraces, most likely used for agriculture— many more surround the site.A roof recreated in the original style using what archaeologists think to be original materials.Starting the walk back to the entrancePathways between the terraces along the wayThe Urubamba River far below and, yes, we had to get back down there!
In 1983, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
A Finis Terrae 