** PERU - IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF VON DANIKEN **
This is the 3 Sept 2004 Edition of
this page.
CHAPTER SIX
MACHU PICCHU
25th June 2001 (Monday)
Eagerly, I got up at 4.30am, but the 'call' didn't arrive until 4.45!! I went into breakfast at 4.55am (up a floor
from my own bedroom!) for 'setting me up' on this DAY OF A LIFETIME. We'll be at MACHU PICCHU!!
Returning to the foyer, I waited for my lift to CUZCO RAIL STATION (due at approx 5.35am!). It turned out
to be a VAN ride of about 3 miles, and at the station our 'personal rep' took the three of us to get the FIRST
three seats at the FRONT of the OBSERVATION CARRIAGE. That was certainly a well-appreciated service -
and VERY GOOD SEATS.
The carriage started to climb STEEPLY out of Cuzco at 6.00am up a ZIG-ZAG climb to a fair height above
Cuzco on our way to MACHU PICCHU, - by a very scenic route!! Before this journey had hardly started,
I was joined by a 'yank' who came from OHIO. We had very interesting conversations for the WHOLE of
our train journey (of about 69 miles.)
The Rail Company had given us BREAKFAST BOXES ( very useful to those who'd missed one - although I
hadn't!). I put mine in STORE in the box.
Our 'rep' joined us on the train at the MACHU PICCHU stop to guide us through the overcrowded streets for
getting to the host of COACHES served by one massive queue (only ONE TRAIN per day - and that's ours!!).
That coach ride took us up the zig-zag road (for approximately six miles) to the site's entrance and toilets.
We had VERY GOOD PRIVATE GUIDING from our Independent guide, who took us everywhere and
explained EVERYTHING in PRIVATE. This was in a marked contrast to the massive groups with their 'bellowing guides'
in a wide variety of languages!! I especially thanked our guide personally for his very pleasant and enjoyable way of doing
things. He purposely avoided the slightest crowd, ensuring that JUST the THREE of us could hear his voice well
separated from the 'hoards'. (He even volunteered to carry my small amount of handluggage all over the site!! This was well
appreciated by 'yours truly' - now a 64 year old man!)
He even showed me the "gent's toilet" 25 minutes before the end, allowing Sally Anne and Rhoda more 'free time'! He told
me the time to be at the bus-stop - and I met him and the girls, there, later.
Shortly after the start of our descent to the RAIL STATION (Puerta Ruinas), which was co-located with a very useful
restaurant, we were intrigued by a little lad who started running down-hill at he same time as our bus. He was waving and saying,
I think, "Hi-hi-Hi- beat you!!" Two corners further down this zig-zag descent - it appeared that another little lad said
exactly the same thing. Surely, it couldn't be the SAME lad! All the passengers waved back at him. It WAS the SAME boy.
This was repeated EVERY TWO CORNERS on our very rapid descent. He was still waving and shouting!! He certainly
grabbed our attention over this MASSIVE descent! Just before the final bend, we could see him just BEAT US and cross
the bridge. Our driver stopped and let him on, and he still continued to shout and wave in his own inimitable way!!
After two more high-spirited words (I don't know what they meant!) - he proceeded to collect our THANKS and also
a FINANCIAL appreciation of his personality and BRAVERY! Before his exit from the bus, his personality was extended
by giving his THANKS to US in several languages! He then talked to a lady at he front of the bus for a few seconds -
and then gave THANKS in yet another language. He got a MASSIVE applause for his personality and bravery. [I understand
that we had descended 700metres, or 2333feet, down this zig-zag course!]
A little further on, we exitted from the bus and walked along the RAILWAY line to the restaurant in a beautiful setting - and
very close to the Puerta Ruinas RAIL STATION.
There were BUFFET meals for each of us before returning to the RAIL STATION and boarding our train
at 15.00hrs (or just before then) for the ride to OLLANTAYTOIMTO. Over this stage of the journey (27 miles),
the guide and I chatted profusely about each other's countries (political & social!) which was very informative and mutually
very interesting. We both enjoyed the encounter.
He got OFF the train to 'meet and greet' the guy who takes us in a van for about 25 miles to our hotel (an old MONASTERY
at YUCAY!). At one point he was stopped by a policeman (possibly a friend) but no 'infringement was involved' - not even
speeding! After we went on our way, that policeman stopped another van for another chat!
On arrival at our YUCAY hotel, we got a very good welcome - and I was in my room by about 17.05hrs, and soon found
refreshments, the breakfast room and its times - then walked around the beautiful EX-MONASTERY gardens and an
interesting museum. I then returned to my room, wrote-up some notes and started to prepare for bed at 19.35hrs (after a tiring
eventful day!)
(continue in next chapter!!)
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