Hot Water

Agua(s) Calientes is alot lower than where we have been for the last three weeks or so, therefore, within seconds of arriving in town I had been bitten by some bastard flying thing. To be fair, it was the only bite either of us got the whole time; it must have been some special VIP welcome.

Anyway, after shivering through our posh journey (56USD instead of 16USD for the not posh, but couldn't possibly be any colder journey!) and savouring our complimentary breakfast - oh yes, that cold chicken sandwich showed those cheapskates on the scum train, we rolled into town.

Vistadome!

At the station we went to the sign for our 'splash-out' hotel. They had a list of people that they were expecting and we were not on it.

After a bit of faffage they decided to let us get to reception, where they gave us cold towels (just to cool everyone down another degree or two, I guess) and took our passports. When I finally got access to the internet (amazingly, they had no Wi-Fi) I realised that we were exactly one month early for our reservation. T and I were really quite relieved, as we were coming to the conclusion that we wouldn't be getting value for our pennies. We trudged into town ...

Agua Calientes

After hard bargaining, we settled into a reasonable hotel and wandered into town to work out what to do for the next three days.

Machu Picchu, Pizza and bugger all else, seems to be the town's motto.

Food (pizza) of Agua Calientes

We bought our tickets for the site (which have doubled in price since the 2007 Lonely Planet was published!) and the bus up the (bloody big) hill.

We then went for a wander down the road to see the museum - it was O.K. but the walk did provide us with our first sighting of the main attraction.

First sight

Our first night's meal was at Indio Feliz, which was lovely. Quiche Lorraine to die for.

An early night to catch the bus at 5:30am to get there for sunrise and avoid the crowds.