Slept well again. Woke at 7, showered and finished packing for today’s excursion to the Sacred Valley (Valle Sagrado.)

Our next stop was Moray where we photographed the impressive Incan agricultural ruins comprised of concentric circles.

Onward until we came to Las Salinas de Moras where we viewed the pods of evaporating mineral water; the residue that is left behind is pure salt.

We continued north until we entered the Sacred Valley at Urubumba. After a few more miles through the Valley we arrived at the train station at Ollantaytambo. It was a most enjoyable and interesting three-hour drive through the gorgeous soaring snow-capped Andes, and we were sad to say adios to our friend Miguel.

At the Ollantaytambo train station, we relaxed at Café Mayu and enjoyed delicious sandwiches and salads.

As we sat in the outdoor waiting area we listened to the sound of the Urubamba River rushing by. Again today, the weather is sunny but cool and breezy.

At 3:30 pm we boarded the west-bound train. We happened to have been given the best two seats on the train – at the very front with an unobstructed picture-window view of the beautiful Andean scenery.

For the next two hours we watched, exhilarated, as the train slowly descended thousands of feet, following the rapids of the Urubamba River passing through several tunnels carved out of the rugged and steep Andean mountains, and waiting on side rails as other trains passed by, heading to Cusco. Included in the fare was a small snack and Inca Kola. It was interesting to watch the foliage change from the sparse scrub of the highlands to the lush jungle of the lowlands as we descended in altitude.

At 5:07 pm we pulled into the station at Aguas Calientes, a town built in the twentieth century to provide food and shelter for the countless visitors to sacred Macho Picchu, 3 kilometers away.  Hiked up a seemingly endless hill with our luggage, thgen checked into our hotel, the La Cabana and rested.

The huge market near the train station was reminiscent of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. We wandered among the many stalls window-shopping until our stomachs told us it was time to eat. At 7 pm we selected Ohawarina Restaurant and sat outside enjoying Pisco sours, Cusquena (Peruvian beer) and pizza. Fabulous people-watching spot on Av. Pachacutec Mz.

We have been amazed, and pleasantly surprised, at how many loose, free-roaming (and perhaps feral) dogs we have seen along our travels in South America. Peru, perhaps, can boost the most, and the streets of Cusco and Aguas Calientes are populated with strays of all sizes, colors and breeds. And all of them seem to be as friendly as can be. On our first night in Cusco, as we sat in the Plaza de Armas, a stray came up to me, wagged his tail, rolled on his back so I could pet his stomach, then rolled over, placed his head on my foot and fell asleep. Like Cusco, the alleys of Aguas Calientes are home to countless stray dogs.

Our pizza and drinks hit the spot and the people-watching was stellar. It was fun to watch people, particularly folks our age, struggle up the steep climb (all of the streets/alleys seem to go up.) But then it was our turn to hike UP to our hotel, the Hotel La Cabana Machupicchu which seemed to be about as high as one can be in Aguas Calientes, and we huffed and puffed the whole way.

Back in our room on the 3 rd floor (no elevators here) we caught our breaths and planned our logistics for tomorrow morning’s excursion to Machu Picchu.

By 9 pm we were sound asleep, dreaming about tomorrow’s magic.

Next Day