Checked out by 05:30 and took a 6 Sole taxi to the train station. 25 minutes early.
I was the 2nd man thru.
Had perfect seating on the train: LHS, Carriage #1, Seat #1.
I won't bore you with talk of the interesting people seated across, and beside me, but trust in the fact they weren't exactly trailer trash!
It took just under 4 hours to make the journey to the town; and the vista i.e. from the Vistadome, was spectacular.
In my hotel suite at 10:30 sharp. Why did I fork-out for a suite you ask? I WILL NOT be travelling down this path again in my life, ever!
Might as well enjoy the time.
The room was fabulous, but it is really the 600 sq. ft. balcony overlooking the river that made it worth the extra coin.
I relaxed till noon.
Left to score the bus tickets, $ 7 USD each way, and the entry to the citadel, 124 Soles.
It took 20 min.+ to climb up in their new fleet of mini-buses; and the views were something else.
On arrival, at the entrance, the locals are carrying out some Limey chick on a stretcher. Seems her flip-flops weren't such a good idea up there. Especially in the rain.
I had purchased new hiking boots specifically for this; water-proof with detachable & replaceable cleats.
At Machu Picchu itself; the weather was changing every 60 seconds. Sometimes the sun looked like it was gonna peek out. This was followed by torrential downpours. In between, the fog would come in to where you could not see 50 feet in front. Then a "hand of God" would scoop away the mist, and photo-shooting resumed.
Traversing the "long route' is not for "couch potatoes". Other than one moment of fear on a plateau with no appparent way off; I was cool.
Debated whether to climb Hatuchay Picchu for a better vista; but the quota of 500 for the day had been reached. Thank goodness.
Here are just a few pics. Many others have taken many better; and the weather that day didn't help!
Spent almost 4 hours up there in total.
On the way back, the bus was full of teenage college girls. Yummy too!
Dr. J.