Beyond Expectations

I've wanted to visit Machu Picchu for as long as I can remember.

Before I started seeing the world in earnest, in my early 20s, when I took my first overseas trip and promised myself that I'd make travel something I would do at every opportunity, there were places that I added to my bucket list. Machu Picchu was one of them but back then, it seemed too remote.

Still, I kept it in mind.

I wanted to see the Great Wall of China when I first learned about it in elementary school, and again I thought it was too remote. Yet, in 1997, I found myself standing on it and discovered that nothing is too remote if you put your mind to making it happen.

When DW and I had young kids, we wanted to travel with them, let them see the world beyond their neighborhood, so we took them across Canada, to the U.S., to Italy, France, Cuba, and more, but we tended to shy away from so-called remote places. Travelling with tots comes with its own challenges.

When they got older, they didn't seem keen on travelling with DW and me as much. In 2019, they travelled with friends: Kid 1, to the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France; Kid 2, to Greece. Kid 1 wanted to go with me to South Korea, when I went solo, also in 2019, but I promised her I'd take her another time.

I don't know if I'll fulfill that promise but I'll try my best.

But the kids haven't been interested in joining us in Mexico, when we've offered. They didn't want to go with us to Portugal or Costa Rica. When we said we were going to Peru, however, they both expressed an interest. It seems they've also seen images of Machu Picchu and thought it would be nice to see, but that it seemed pretty remote.

Going on Mom and Dad's tab, however, made it desirable.

We took a train from Ollantaytambo at 5am to get to the Inca mountain city for 8:00. It was raining a bit but looked like clouds were constantly shifting. While photos often show the archeological site bathed in sunshine and clear skies, I was hoping for a bit of drama. I didn't need sunshine but I didn't want the area to be completely shrouded in cloud cover.

I think we got the best weather.

Someone had said that video and photos don't do Machu Picchu justice. You have to see it with your own eyes. From what I saw and what I captured, I absolutely agree. I haven't looked at the images that I took with my D-SLR yet but my Android photos are all I have to share for now.

Stay tuned for more.

One of my bucket-list destinations has been checked off. It did not disappoint. I have another remote place to go to in the next year. But now, nothing seems too remote.

Happy Thursday.