Galap a gogo: 14th May: Machu Picchu

Today was very special because we were doing one of those 'once in a lifetime' things. After a quick breakfast we were taken to Estacion Ollantaytambo, where there was a palpable air of excitement. The Vistadome train is a 1.5 hour journey with huge panoramic windows and skylights showing off the magnificent scenery along the Inca trail. It's a day tripper's train, which is why we could only take a 5kg hand luggage on board. At the end of the line is Aguas Calientes, from where we picked up a bus for the 20 minute ride up a switch-back mountain road to Machu Picchu.

Some things in life come with a big fanfare, and Machu Picchu certainly lived up to all the trumpeting. A complete citadel perched on top of a mountain, with living quarters, temples, gardens, irrigation channels, drainage, agriculture - a frontier town that has survived almost intact. We enjoyed a guided tour in the morning to understand how the city worked in ancient times, had lunch, then free time in the afternoon, when there were far less people, to enjoy the experience in our own personal way. Louise hiked up to the Sun Gate, Ian and his camera wandered at will, and I passed the afternoon sitting on a bench at a lookout point. The view was sublime and provoked a contemplative mood. How fortunate I am to witness so much of our wonderful world. At 2430m, Richard was still feeling the effects of the altitude and described his experience of Machu Picchu as 'breathtaking'. He decided to quit while he was ahead and made his way back to the hotel.