Early start this morning - we had to be underway by 7am, so it was early up, breakfasted, packed and out of our lovely hotel. We went by our little bus from Urubamba to the Ollantaytambo train station where we had time to purchase a collapsible walking stick for $US10. It is awesome. Quite a few people on our tour have had knee and hip replacements so there were a number of sticks purchased.

Our train carriage was a vista dome carriage and very nice indeed. We were served drinks, pastries and fruits during our trip of about 90 mins! When we arrived in Aguas Calientes our group was met by porters from our hotel who took our overnight bags to the hotel for us. We then went along as well, and completed check-in formalities although we weren't actually allowed in till later in the day. We then took our day bags down to the bus stop and hopped on a lovely, well-organised leather-seated Mercedes Benz coach (a little different to mum and dad's experience circa 1976). The bus trip up to the top was spectacular and the whole experience was run like a well-oiled machine. To be spending the 22nd anniversary of my beloved dad's death in a place that he absolutely loved! How truly fitting!

I was surprised to find that when we walked through the entrance way and emerged to the view of the site that I became quite teary. It really took me by surprise - the beauty and wonder of it all, or the fact that my dad loved it so much, I don't know. But it really is just awesome. I wandered around the site for as long as my knee would let me, and then found a comfy seat with one of the most fantastic views in the world, while Tom and most of the others continued to explore. Tom continued right up to the top to the guardhouse where he was able to get some brilliant shots (but his camera doesn't talk to my technology so I can't share them). The weather closed in at one stage, but we had been warned it can change in just 10 minutes, so we were lucky to have had a good couple of hours of brilliant sunshine. Everyone was warned to bring raincoats.

After enough exploration was had by all we journeyed back down to the village and walked back to our hotel where our room keys were waiting for us. It's a beautiful hotel - a bit on the Eco side. Our room is quite large and our bed huge. The hotel is spread over many acres of land which is planted with rainforest plants and the sound of the tumbling river is constant.

After a refreshing shower we joined several of the group for free afternoon tea with brownies and cookies and then went back to our room for a little nap before dinner.

Dinner was a great time, and it was included in our trip! We had two tables at the 8pm sitting and it was Mel's birthday. Mel is the delightful special ed teacher's aide from Newcastle and she hadn't told anyone but her husband quietly let slip at dinner. Luckily Pepe already knew and had organised an incredible Black Forest Cake with a candle that wouldn't blow out!

We had complimentary Pisco Sours (followed by a bottle of Rose Syrah), followed by delicious smoked salmon with aioli as an entree, and then tenderloin of beef with a Marsala sauce. This was finished with a french chocolate cake and the birthday cake! URGHHHHHH soooooo fulllll!