After Ellis backpack had arrived, we were finally ready to explore Peru. Yeah! First stop was Cusco, but just for one night (Ninos Hostel) to arrange our visit to Machu Picchu (MP). As you can not buy the entrance ticket to MP at the site, we spent half of a day to find the National Institute of Culture, where you can buy the ticket. It is so secretly hidden, that even the tourist information in the city center has the wrong address and the cab driver had to ask four or five times for directions. Awesome! Of course you can not buy the bus ticket that you need to get to MP there. Not willing to spend another half day looking for the bus ticket office, we decided to buy this ticket in Aquas Calientes.

After arriving in Ollantaytambo by means of collectivos we got a first glimpse on a big Inka fortress. From there we took a nice train ride through the beautiful valley of the river Urubamba to Aquas Calientes, managed to get the bus ticket (Wohoo!) and had a wonderful dinner at the Indio Feliz.

The next day we got up at 3:30am as we wanted to take the first bus up to Machu Picchu (MP) to get possibility to climb Wayna Picchu (you have to be one of the first 400 visitors to do so). And we got it! However, the weather was awful: Cloudy, foggy and a lot of rain. Not the best for enjoying beautiful views of South Americas tourist attraction number one. Furthermore, we followed the rules on the ticket that stated that you are not allowed to bring food and water into the complex. Which is entirely bullshit, as there is a) no control at all and b) they don’t sell stuff inside. Stupid! So after a quick round through the complex we went to a bistro in front of the entrance where we had an overpriced breakfast in the cold and waited until 10:00am, which was our time for the Wayna Picchu.

It was still heavily raining and cloudy all over the place at 10:00am, but I can be quite persistent when it’s about hiking, so we started to climb the Wayna Picchu in the rain. Arriving at the top, we had a beautiful view ;-)

However, Petrus was nice again. The rain stopped halfway to the top and as we were almost on top the clouds started to open up. So we waited a bit more at the top of Wayna Picchu and were rewarded with a perfect view of MP and its surroundings in bright sunshine. Yeah!

After enjoying the view and the sun for quite a while we went down and decided to hike down (and up!) all the way to the Moon Temple as well.

The impression of the main complex was totally different in the sunlight. All in all, we had a perfect combination: Mystical clouds and rain in the morning, perfect view and sun in the afternoon. Thus, we returned quite spent but happy and thankful for a great day to Aquas Calientes. @Babsi: Thanks for all the good tips regarding the trip from and to Machu Picchu!

Back in Cusco we decided to spend New Year’s Eve here. Strolled through small alleys, visited the cathedral, and went to the market (where you can get everything: from fruits to whole pigs). The evening of New Year’s Eve we spent in the Suite of the Flying Dog Hostal. Heating for the towels in the bathroom, heating in the room, fridge, TV and DVD player, couch and big bed. Awesome! We had a perfect evening, watching two movies and enjoying togetherness. Great start into 2011!

Greets from an impressive place and a Happy New Year!
Michael