Machu Picchu

Woke up to a gorgeous day.

Navy just chillin in her p.j.'s in front of Machu Picchu, as one does.

Farewell, Llactapata Lodge.

Then we hiked down, down, down. It was unpleasant but what can you do? Javier's family got left way behind.

Signed in here, and continued walking.

Javier got us some passion fruit and bananas for snacks.

It looks beautiful, but it was actually pretty terrible. So hot, so humid.

Lunch, yay! Javier got us set up and then went back to find his family. He called a different guy to meet us and go with us the rest of the way to Aguas Caliente (although I'm sure we would have been just dandy on our own).

These popsicles were the best thing ever!! They were like, real fruit otter pops. I had pineapple and it was soooo good.

I'd say most tourists take the train rather than walk along the tracks (although there were plenty of people doing that too), but back when I was setting things up with Javier, I kept telling him it was too expensive and he had to cut things out, so he would get us a cheaper hotel, and he cut out the train ride and we walked instead. Better that than $80 a train ticket or whatever it was.

Finally got there!

We had dinner, got to our hotels, slept, and met up the next day. We had 2 hours to explore Aguas Caliente before we had lunch. Jethro, Hazel, Navy and I went together and we got some brownies and icecream. The other boys and Ethne went with Dad and honestly I don't know what they did.

We had lunch at the fanciest restaurant we had eaten at yet. This band came and played for us too, which was fun. 

Then we ran and got in line for the busses up to Machu Picchu. I saw this big group of missionaries so I had to go get a picture with them! All the missionaries in the mission get to go one time while they're out.

Got up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu! It's incredible!!

 It's also a crazy-crowded place, and so Brett didn't enjoy it as much as he would have if we had been able to move along at our own pace (but of course they can't do that), plus some of the areas were still roped off for Covid regulations. You have to have a guide, so Javier had gotten one for us. Honestly, I didn't try very hard to listen to him.  Brett and Kami are shaking their heads at me, I'm sure.

Hazel got herself a lizard. (Actually I think Jethro pinned it for her.) I love how their faces are the same here!!!! hahahahaha

Woohoo!! THE picture!

They have strict rules at Machu Picchu about things, like no drones, no tripods, no tik tok dances, etc. But I had Hazel go ahead and try a handstand, and sure enough--a security guy came over and had me delete the pictures and even go into my trash and permanently delete it from there. But luckily I only deleted TWO of the the three pictures. :)

I love Navy! 

No one else wanted individual pictures in front of it- oh well I guess.

It was a beautiful day, and beautiful time of day with the sun gliding down, making everything golden.  I have some of Hazel's pictures mixed in here too.

Ethne, looking all celebrity-esque again.

Viscacha!

I wish Wyatt were in this picture. But, after a while it's too hard to wrangle kids, or even know where they are. ha

Pretty amazing experience.

This is a random picture of people's bug bites.

 

We rode the train back to Ollantaytambo, and from there, rode a van back to Cusco. 

Cusco late at night. Well, probably not even that late, but everyone was very exhausted.