Peru_Day8_MachuPicchu

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The cafe at the Inca Terra in Aguas Calientes. You have to cross the train tracks to get there.
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Morning at Machu Picchu
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Steph at Machu Picchu in the early morning. The best time for viewing as nobody else is there!
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Red looking at terracing at Machu Picchu
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The "Squabbits" of Machu Picchu
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Inca water works at Machu Picchu. Note the path carved in solid bedrock in the background.
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Monique and Red at far side of tunnel under Condor at Machu Picchu
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Steph stands beneath the wings of the condor. (Machu Picchu)
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View of main courtyard and Wayna Picchu at Machu Picchu
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Tree in the central courtyard of Machu Picchu.
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Steph and Monique in the central (terraced) plaza of Machu Picchu.
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Temple of the sun at Machu Picchu. Posts outside window for hanging reference lines.
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Carved bedrock in a typical Inca fashion below the temple of the sun at Machu PIcchu.
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Entry way into noble's temple of the sun area, Machu PIcchu
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Cut stone of the outer wall of the temple of the sun, Machu Picchu. There is no mortar and there are no gaps and these stones have interlocking elements not visible.
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Red taking a nap in the same place Pachacutec is likely to have slept. Machu Picchu
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Blue flowers at Machu Picchu
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Steph and Monique in central Machu Picchu with nary a soul present.
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1 inch diameter hole in rock. Machu Picchu
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Red and Hawk contemplating each other at Machu Picchu
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Hawk and Huayna Picchu. (Machu Picchu)
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Hawk, perched at Machu Picchu
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DSRC shirt at Machu Picchu
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DSRC shirt, Red, Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu courtyard.
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DSRC shirt, wayna picchu and machu picchu courtyard, tree. Machu PIcchu
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DSRC shirt, red, up towards Machu Picchu peak. Guard house in background.
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The Intihuatana of the sun temple at Machu Picchu. The Urubamba River valley nearly 1000 feet below.
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Elizabeth stands in front of the Urubamba River Valley (Machu Picchu)
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Harry, Miguel and Ruben (guides) on top of serpent rock at Machu Picchu
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Downriver of the Urubamba River Valley one can see the massive scar left by the landslide that shut down the Perurail line beyond Aguas Calientes.
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Megolithic stone construction of the Anan Machu Picchu temple.
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Carved out of bedrock, a sight line of the Southern Cross (Intihuatana). Properly aligned as well.
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Steph contemplates the alien nature of the Intihuatana at the high point of Machu Picchu.
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Solstice checking feature in Urin Machu Picchu. This long narrow tube only lets in the sun one day out of the year. Harry hangs out.
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View up terraces, Machu Picchu
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View towards main courtyard, machu picchu peak and guard house. (Machu Picchu)
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Rock carved in the shape of a body lying down....something very odd to see among Inca Ruins. Is it original? (Urin Machu Picchu)
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Bamboo walking sticks signify the end of the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu.
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The Pueblo Viejo, a safe bet for lunch, dinner or a pizza in Aguas Calientes.
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The main square of Aguas Calientes has a large bronze sculpture of Pachacutec (the 9th Inca).
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Monique and Steph oustide the Inca Terra hotel of Aguas Calientes
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Smog and the black smoke from the train fill the isolated valley that Aguas Calientes lies within.
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Hungry? (Aguas Calientes)
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Hungry? (Aguas Calientes)
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Thirsty? (Aguas Calientes)
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I'll take a Guinea Pig combo meal, please. (Aguas Calientes)
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The entry to the hotsprings of Aguas Calientes
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The town of Aguas Calientes
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The town of Aguas Calientes
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Map of Aguas Calientes (now Machupicchu) at the Train Station.
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Fashion show on train....the gimp comes out to start the show!! Leslie can't believe it.