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The Stellar Day at Machu Picchu

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Day 7 – Jun 19, 2017 It was supposed to be cloudy with rain today, which had been the forecast since we arrive in Peru. We were up at 5:15 so we could get to the entrance gate by 5:50 and be among the first to enter the park. Of course, the walk from our hotel to the entrance was about 100 feet. To our delight, the skies were crystal clear and the temperature was very mild [thank goodness weather forecasts are often wrong!]. There was already a bit of a line there when we arrived, but it moved very quickly, and when the gates opened at 6AM sharp, we were in the park at 6:05. Adam and Barry took the high road to get on some of the higher terraces that overlook the city itself. Joe and Steve took the low road to be among the city buildings. We wanted to capture pictures from all angles as the sun rose over the city. Now, for those astronomically challenged, sunrise is at 6:11AM refers to when the sun comes above the horizon. Keep in mind that we are deep in the very high mount...
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The Most Amazing Hike in the World

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Day 6 – July 18, 2017 A belated Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers reading this post. Joe, Adam, Barry and I noted that it is one Father’s Day we will long remember. [Note: It is also Father’s Day in Peru.] There are a few items of interest that I have been saving for now so that I could share them in a list. Who knew that Peru had: Many forms of cactus (I guess I should say cacti for the Latin scholars among you); Eucalyptus trees imported from Australia that are now taking over the country; Bamboo at very high altitudes; and 151 varieties of orchids? We boarded the Vistadome train (i.e. a train with skylights so we could see the mountains as we rode through the Urubamba Valley) toward Macho Picchu. Note, it is very important to pronounce the place Machu Pic-chu (pick-chu … not pee-chu) for reasons that cannot be explained in this family friendly blog. I will let your mind wander on this one or your curiosity lead you to do some research on the un-preferred pro...
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The Narrower Road and The Hike

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Day 5 – June 17, 2017 [More internet connectivity issues - so I am not sure when you are reading this.] We awoke early for our ride to Pumamarca to visit an Incan site high above the Urubamba Valley. Our ride was quite interesting to say the least. We started on narrow roads leading out of the town of Ollantaytambo. How narrow? At one point our minivan came face-to-face with a small motorcycle-turned-into taxi (“mono-taxi” is the local word). There was no way for both of us to pass. After some finger pointing and a few unkind words, our minivan BACKED DOWN the very narrow road to where it widened by a mere 6 inches, which was enough to let the mono-taxi through. We got off this “main road” onto a smaller, gravellier, and more narrow road to start up the mountain. I must say it was a bit nerve-wracking as the edge of the van was right along the edge of the road which was right along the edge of the abyss. As it turns out, as we approached another turn-off, there was a newly...
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