The day started with a bit of a mad rush. We got a taxi to Cusco's San Pedro station only to discover that our train departed from a different station 15 kms out of Cusco and that we had to be there is 20 minutes. So another taxi and a bit of hair raising driving; but we made it.

The train - the vistadome - was quite nice, with glass panels in the roof for a better view of the scenery. We sat opposite a Philippino man who lives in Manly, and an American from Salt Lake City. We had a pleasant 3 hour trip (with breakfast) into Aqua Calientes, the tourist town in the valley below the Machu Picchu ruins. The town was a surprise, much smaller than we had expected from the map in the guide book, with only one street - the other streets shown in the book were only alleyways. Hotels/hostels/restaurants and souvenir shops everywhere. We found a hotel overlooking the river, and the main street, got some lunch and then it was time for a bus ride up to the ruins and our first look at this famous site.

Unlike the Nazca lines there was no let down. Not only are the ruins themselves spectacular the setting, with steep mountains and deep valleys is also breath taking. Even the bus ride from the village to the ruins was an experience. A series of switch backs that climbed a slope that at first glance looked too steep for vehicles.

We spent a pleasant afternoon walking around the site. We had both seen many photos of the site so the general shape and layout was familiar but the reality is still captivating. Photos do not do justice to the steepness of the walkways and terraces and there were some places where it was down right scary to walk - and walk without guard rails. We both commented that this site would be very different in the US or Australia with authorities trying to protect tourists from falling.

After an interesting afternoon, and a rest in the hotel, we had dinner at a restaurant called Indio Feliz , which was recommended to us by the campground hosts in Cusco. It was a good choice, wonderful food and about $40 for two, 3 course meals.