Climbing Waynapicchu and last day at Macchu Piccu - Day 19

I stood in line for about half an hour so didn't set off up the mountain till about 7.30am - it was gorgeous and sunny but fortunately the mountain side that I was going to be climbing was in shade.  I loved this sign - now is decision time - BIG mountain or SMALL Mountain!  Glad I did the big one.  Was tempted to do the little one once I had come down from the big one but a slightly flecked right knee stopped me.

It really was hard going and some off it you were hanging onto the mountain side with not much between you and a 800 foot drop! Parts of it you had to scramble up using both hands grabbing the stones wherever you could to heave yourself up. What I didn't realise was going up was going to be easier than coming down!! I made it to the top in an hour which what they say it takes - it probably should only take 40 minutes and they add 20 mins for the Grannies - I don't mind being labelled with the Grannies if it gets me an extra 20 minutes!!!  The American guy that I met a few days ago who did it in 26 minutes must be on steroids or something - LUNATIC!!!

I got to the top and even climbed up to the top of the biggest bolder and stood and took this photo - I felt very brave.  I didn't really feel scared at any point - on the way down there was this brazilian guy who was really terrified of falling, I knew I wasn't going to fall so that's may be why I was a bit calmer.   I just took my time and it was all fine.

The view from the top was amazing and gives a completely different view of Macchu Piccu, not one you see often in photos - here is one where you can also see the sun gate - if you follow the big mountain (Macchu Piccu Mountain i.e. The Old Mountain) down to the left you will see a dip in the mountain before it starts to rise again - that is the Sun Gate and that is where I was yesterday - it looks miles away doesn't it? IT WAS!!!

The scenery from the top was just stunning - look at this picture of the mountains, it just took my breath away...

I lay at the top for about an hour before I started my descent - Meditating when you are at the top of the world gives a very different energy - its not deep vibrational and grounding like you would expect from lying on a rock but its light and bright and makes you feel happy to be alive.  May be thats why I didn't have any fear going back down, I was practically floating!!

Here is the photo to prove I made it to the top - well this was taken nearly from the top!  The terraces just underneath the mountain top is where everyone surfaces for air after the huge climb.  One of the guide was trying to say that the mountains take the shape of an Condor in flight from this position - can't quite see it myself, can you?

On my way down I met a beautiful butterfly - it was resting on the handrail which I needed to use to get down the steps but couldn't disturb her - isn't she cute?  She was basking in the sun.

I got back down at about 1040 so in all it was about 3 hours - an hour up, an hour at the top and an hour down.  I twisted my right knee which is my weak one pretty much at the start of my descent so I made slow progress down but it was so steep you didn't have a choice but to go slow.

The weather was still really nice so I headed off to find myself another meditation spot where I could stay for the next couple of hours.  I found a great spot with a great big rock to lean on and also take shade under as the sun was getting stronger.  I had such a nice time sitting to the side of the ruins but facing Waynapicchu the mountain I had just climbed.  I had a wee meditation buddy to keep me company - he stayed on my leg for about half an hour!!  didn't bat an eyelid (if grasshoppers have eyelids!) when i reached into my bag to get my camera.

I really can't understand where the energy is coming from at Macchu Piccu - why is it that everyone who visits is totally in awe of this place?  I really don't think its the stonework or the ruins, this is what the tour guides would have you believe - I think there is a greater energy between the mountains and thats why the Incas built their City there.  I think the connection between all of the surrounding mountains creates an energy in the centre of the area that works as a magnet and just draws you in. 

I really didn't want to leave so I had to do a deal with myself - after meditating and sitting until 1pm I went out of the entrance and sat outside at the cafe and had something to eat and a beer and stayed for an hour watching the hummingbirds drink out of the passion flowers on the vines and watched a wee lizard for ages on a tree branch.  I then headed down on the bus as I had promised myself a massage so off I went.

Now the massage was amazing but why is it that when men are massaging me they feel the need to jump on the massage table?!  It happened in Nepal when I had this guy massage me and he jumped on top of me (I was face down) he pulled down my pants and started karate chopping my arse!!! This guy wasn't quite so bad but he jumped up on the massage table at my head head and started massaging my back - luckily I was lying face down otherwise I wouldn't have known where to look with his crotch directly above me!!!  Anyway he gave a brilliant massage and really gave me legs and feet a work out which is great since they have been over worked in the last few days well from what they are used to anyway - not sure my feet or legs got much use in the 5 months I was commuting backwards and forwards to Edinburgh!!!

The river in Aguas Calientes was absolutely heaving after all the rain yesterday...

I loved this wee village too - even though it is totally kitted out for tourists there is something sweet and small still about it considering 2500 people pass through it every day.  The people are so friendly and funny too.  When i was with Adrian on day one I met a friend of his just as we were getting on the bus, I have seen him every day and he really makes the effort to seek me out to say hello - he was so happy today that I made an effort to speak Spanish - I asked him in Spanish how he was feeling!  Only problem is he answered me in Spanish so still have no clue how he was actually feeling.  Anyway he looked happy enough!!!

Macchu Piccu - the most amazing place on earth.  I LOVE IT, a piece of my heart was left buried next to the Inca wall during my Shaman Ceremony on the 21st.  I will definitely be back.

I headed out of Aguas Calientes on the 4.45pm train and I am now back in Cusco - early pick up tomorrow to be dropped at the bus station to get the Tourist Bus to Puno so off to my bed for 6 hours kip.

suzxxx