Journey to Dreams: Peru Part 6

Morning came early once again. My room at the hotel was on the third floor and the dining and kitchen were on the fourth floor directly above me. They start serving breakfast at 5:00 am, so the noise started by 4:00. It could have been worse if I had planned on sleeping in, but we needed to be in the lobby ready to go by 6:00 am. So breakfast at 5:00, then finish packing and head down to the lobby to check-out, store our bags and head to the bus to take us to Machu Picchu.

The sky had a mix of clouds, fog and some sunny spots. We weren't sure what we would encounter once we arrived up the mountain. We had it all - often from sun to fog to clouds and back to sun within minutes. It really added to the atmosphere of the place. I felt like it was perfect.

We were booked in for Circuit 3. This one encompasses the best tour of the ruins. We were on Circuit 1 as we came in on the Inca Trail the day before. That has a view from above looking down for great photo ops. Circuit 2 which is the most popular for those that didn't hike in has a combination of views from above and touring some of the actual ruins. I was glad we were on Circuit 3. Our guide was very knowledgeable and was able to explain how the buildings were used and what their day to day lives were probably like. He was patient as everyone repeatedly stopped for photos yet managed to keep the group together. I think we spent over three hours touring the ruins before heading back to Aquas Calientes the nearby town that was built to accommodate the tourists. It is a very touristy town filled with hotels, bars and restaurants. They have incorporated quite a bit of art into the landscape and the river flowing through town adds a bit of sereneness. I will say though that walking down the main street with all the bars and restaurants was a sensory overload for me. I really did not like it. We had over three hours until our train would depart so to fill the time myself and another solo traveler explored a near-by market then found a nice coffee shop to get a bite to eat. We sat there for well over an hour. By the time we were to head to the train station it had started to rain. It was time to go!

I was nearing the end of my Peruvian adventure with one day left in Cusco which I would fill with shopping and then a very early flight home the following day. Nineteen days had flown by. I wasn't sure if I was ready to return home, but my plane ticket said otherwise. It would be a long trip with the flight leaving Cusco at 5:00 am and my final flight (of 3) arriving in Austin at 9;45 pm. I had connections in Lima and Miami. The two hour lay-over in Lima was not quite enough time as I barely made my connecting flight. Miami went smoothly. I lost my phone in Lima - I think I left it at the Security screening as I was practically running to my plane. I didn't realize it until it was too late. That really made for a stressful day. I was so glad when I got to Austin and saw my daughter arrive to pick me up. I stayed with her that evening and drove home the following morning.

Now to start planning for Nepal!