.. Jalbum 8.3 June 8, 2007 - We got an early start and took the 6:30 a.m. bus up to Machu Picchu Park and made the sunrise just in time. It was a pretty spiritual - to see so many people focusing on what it must have been like 500 or so years ago for people living here to see the sun rise over their city. Afterwards, Odon, in his typical self, gave us a well informed and touching tour of the ruins. After the official tour, Grace would rest for about an hour watching our bags as I zoomed up and down Huayna Picchu. When I came back, Grace and I began wandering around the ruins a little more and eventually picked a quiet terrace overlooking Machu Picchu to meditate and people watch. We finally bid farewell to Machu Picchu and left at around 1:30 p.m. We had a nice buffet dinner in town with the rest of the group at around 2 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., we boarded our train back to Cusco. The train ride was interesting, with good views and some interesting entertainment. Sometimes I am amazed at how creative the "entertainment" could be. For example, to sell locally made clothing, a couple of good looking "conductors" who served us food and drinks earlier would also put on a fashion show, using the aisle as a show floor runway, walking in style to hip music played over the loudspeakers. The train was a slow train. After over some four hours, including a half an hour van ride, we finally arrived back at hour hotel. Grace and I would walk around town a bit to buy hats for her sisters before we rejoined others for a celebratory dinner. Odon would not join us for this last dinner though he did show up to say good-bye with his daughter.... slides/DSC_3569.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Sunrise at Machu Picchu #1 Sunrise at Machu Picchu #1 slides/DSC_3569.jpg slides/100_5033.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Specters viewing Machu Picchu at sunrise Specters viewing Machu Picchu at sunrise slides/100_5033.JPG slides/100_5032.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Machu Picchu at sunrise Machu Picchu at sunrise slides/100_5032.JPG slides/100_5034.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Allen at sunrise Allen at sunrise slides/100_5034.JPG slides/DSC_3567.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Overlooking into river valley Overlooking into river valley slides/DSC_3567.jpg slides/DSC_3595.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Machu Picchu Flag Machu Picchu Flag slides/DSC_3595.jpg slides/100_5036.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Examples of how thatched roof was tied to the stone structures Examples of how thatched roof was tied to the stone structures slides/100_5036.JPG slides/100_5040.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Classic Machu Picchu View in the morning light Classic Machu Picchu View in the morning light slides/100_5040.JPG slides/100_5041.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Terraces at Machu Picchu Terraces at Machu Picchu slides/100_5041.JPG slides/100_5042.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 One of 2 quarries at Machu Picchu One of 2 quarries at Machu Picchu slides/100_5042.JPG slides/100_5044.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Example of the use of the artificial and the natural to form shelters at Machu Picchu Example of the use of the artificial and the natural to form shelters at Machu Picchu slides/100_5044.JPG slides/100_5046.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Temple of the Sun Temple of the Sun slides/100_5046.JPG slides/100_5047.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Allen at the Main Gate Allen at the Main Gate slides/100_5047.JPG slides/100_5052.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Rock representing the Southern Cross Constellation Rock representing the Southern Cross Constellation slides/100_5052.JPG slides/DSC_3657.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Odon demonstration the alignment of the rock representing the Southern Cross Constellation Odon demonstration the alignment of the rock representing the Southern Cross Constellation slides/DSC_3657.jpg slides/100_5054.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Grace with terraces and quarries in the backdrop Grace with terraces and quarries in the backdrop slides/100_5054.JPG slides/100_5055.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Allen and Grace Allen and Grace slides/100_5055.JPG slides/100_5056.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Main courtyard at Machu Picchu (used for ceremonies, games, etc.) Main courtyard at Machu Picchu (used for ceremonies, games, etc.) slides/100_5056.JPG slides/100_5058.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Sun dial at Machu Picchu Sun dial at Machu Picchu slides/100_5058.JPG slides/100_5059.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Grace at main courtyard Grace at main courtyard slides/100_5059.JPG slides/100_5061.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Note the use of rocks to represent real mountains Note the use of rocks to represent real mountains slides/100_5061.JPG slides/100_5063.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Ruins and prominent rock formation (forgot the name) in the back Ruins and prominent rock formation (forgot the name) in the back slides/100_5063.JPG slides/100_5064.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Ruins with Huayna Picchu in the back Ruins with Huayna Picchu in the back slides/100_5064.JPG slides/DSC_3737.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Reflection basin Reflection basin slides/DSC_3737.jpg slides/100_5066.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Worker's section of ruins #1 Worker's section of ruins #1 slides/100_5066.JPG slides/100_5067.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Worker's section of ruins #2 Worker's section of ruins #2 slides/100_5067.JPG slides/100_5069.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Worker's section of ruins #3 Worker's section of ruins #3 slides/100_5069.JPG slides/100_5071.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Stairs at Machu Picchu Stairs at Machu Picchu slides/100_5071.JPG slides/100_5072.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Temple of the three windows (three has a special meaning in Incan culture) at Machu Picchu Temple of the three windows (three has a special meaning in Incan culture) at Machu Picchu slides/100_5072.JPG slides/100_5074.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Allen with terraces and guardhouse in the backdrop Allen with terraces and guardhouse in the backdrop slides/100_5074.JPG slides/DSC_3752.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Fat Chinchila at ruins Fat Chinchila at ruins slides/DSC_3752.jpg slides/100_5077.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Temple of the Condor at Machu Picchu Temple of the Condor at Machu Picchu slides/100_5077.JPG slides/100_5078.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 One wing of the condor One wing of the condor slides/100_5078.JPG slides/100_5079.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 The other wing of the condor The other wing of the condor slides/100_5079.JPG slides/100_5080.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Ruins with interesting handholds Ruins with interesting handholds slides/100_5080.JPG slides/100_5081.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Llama at a section of the courtyard at Machu Picchu Llama at a section of the courtyard at Machu Picchu slides/100_5081.JPG slides/100_5083.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Temple of the three windows Temple of the three windows slides/100_5083.JPG slides/100_5089.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 View of Machu Picchu ruins from peak of Huayna Picchu View of Machu Picchu ruins from peak of Huayna Picchu slides/100_5089.JPG slides/100_5091.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 View of switchbacks for shuttles to take visitors up to Machu Picchu Ruins View of switchbacks for shuttles to take visitors up to Machu Picchu Ruins slides/100_5091.JPG slides/100_5092.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Ruins at Huayna Picchu #1 Ruins at Huayna Picchu #1 slides/100_5092.JPG slides/100_5093.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Terraces at Huayna Picchu Terraces at Huayna Picchu slides/100_5093.JPG slides/100_5096.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Steep narrow steps at Huayna Picchu Steep narrow steps at Huayna Picchu slides/100_5096.JPG slides/100_5098.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Ruins at Huayna Picchu #2 Ruins at Huayna Picchu #2 slides/100_5098.JPG slides/100_5100.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Main courtyard at Machu Picchu Main courtyard at Machu Picchu slides/100_5100.JPG slides/100_5101.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Allen at main temple (note sinking foundations though) Allen at main temple (note sinking foundations though) slides/100_5101.JPG slides/100_5103.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Grace at main gate Grace at main gate slides/100_5103.JPG slides/100_5104.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Living quarters of Machu Picchu in the foreground Living quarters of Machu Picchu in the foreground slides/100_5104.JPG slides/DSC_3633.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Strolling through the ruins #1 Strolling through the ruins #1 slides/DSC_3633.jpg slides/DSC_3665.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Strolling through the ruins #2 Strolling through the ruins #2 slides/DSC_3665.jpg slides/DSC_3622.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Strolling through the ruins #3 Strolling through the ruins #3 slides/DSC_3622.jpg slides/DSC_3625.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Strolling through the ruins #4 Strolling through the ruins #4 slides/DSC_3625.jpg slides/DSC_3840.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Temple fo the Sun Temple fo the Sun slides/DSC_3840.jpg slides/DSC_3843.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Secret Place for Wedding Secret Place for Wedding slides/DSC_3843.jpg slides/DSC_3844.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Detailed engineering work Detailed engineering work slides/DSC_3844.jpg slides/DSC_3848.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 The Machu Picchu train far below The Machu Picchu train far below slides/DSC_3848.jpg slides/100_5106.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 "Backside" of Machu Picchu ruins "Backside" of Machu Picchu ruins slides/100_5106.JPG slides/100_5109.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Grace at a set of flying stairs connecting between terraces Grace at a set of flying stairs connecting between terraces slides/100_5109.JPG slides/100_5112.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Llama close up Llama close up slides/100_5112.JPG slides/DSC_3765.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 More llamas... More llamas... slides/DSC_3765.jpg slides/100_5113.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Grace checking out the sacrificial altar Grace checking out the sacrificial altar slides/100_5113.JPG slides/100_5116.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Last shot of Machu Picchu before we left Last shot of Machu Picchu before we left slides/100_5116.JPG slides/100_5118.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Last portrait at Machu Picchu Last portrait at Machu Picchu slides/100_5118.JPG slides/100_5119.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Allen and Aimee at the train station Allen and Aimee at the train station slides/100_5119.JPG slides/100_5122.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Grace and Allen with our train back to Cusco Grace and Allen with our train back to Cusco slides/100_5122.JPG slides/100_5123.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Allen with luggage Allen with luggage slides/100_5123.JPG slides/100_5127.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Grace and Allen in train Grace and Allen in train slides/100_5127.JPG slides/100_5130.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Map of train route onboard train Map of train route onboard train slides/100_5130.JPG slides/100_5133.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Locals at a train stop Locals at a train stop slides/100_5133.JPG slides/100_5134.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Corn bought from the locals for 5 soles Corn bought from the locals for 5 soles slides/100_5134.JPG slides/100_5136.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Entertainment onboard train #1 Entertainment onboard train #1 slides/100_5136.JPG slides/100_5137.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Entertainment onboard train #2 Entertainment onboard train #2 slides/100_5137.JPG slides/100_5138.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Music concert Grace and Allen stumbled into at Cusco Music concert Grace and Allen stumbled into at Cusco slides/100_5138.JPG slides/100_5141.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Celebratory dinner at Cusco Celebratory dinner at Cusco slides/100_5141.JPG slides/100_5142.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Food at celebratory dinner at Cusco #1 Food at celebratory dinner at Cusco #1 slides/100_5142.JPG slides/100_5143.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Food at celebratory dinner at Cusco #2 Food at celebratory dinner at Cusco #2 slides/100_5143.JPG slides/100_5144.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Food at celebratory dinner at Cusco #3 Food at celebratory dinner at Cusco #3 slides/100_5144.JPG slides/DSC_3853.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Local at Agua Calientes Local at Agua Calientes slides/DSC_3853.jpg slides/DSC_3854.html# Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0700 Beer and buffet at Agua Calientes Beer and buffet at Agua Calientes slides/DSC_3854.jpg