Changing spoiled nappies.

I wish I could churn poetic phrases to profoundly describe that day we stepped on ancient citadel Machu Picchu. But really, these three words perfectly summarize our trip to this mysterious 15th century Inca site above the Sacred Valley in Peru’s Cusco region. And well, basically, what I mostly remember about our jaunt aside from hyperventilating.

Traveling with a one year-old meant taking the train from Cusco (Ollantaytambo in our case) instead of doing the more adventurous (and expensive) 4-day hike to Machu Picchu. We slept a night in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, and rose at four in the morn to check out of the guesthouse and buy tickets for the first bus (5:30 AM) and admission (about $50) to the ruins. We allocated just about three hours for the archaeological site, as we were to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo that arvo.

Back in Aguas Calientes, we found out there was a landslide which blocked the only railroad that services Peru Rail and tons of us tourists were stranded for hours. While waiting at the station for the next available train, Luna just started walking by herself.

Most buildings have been reconstructed to show tourists how structures looked like.

Seven in the morn and still in a blanket of fog.

Expect the loudest cheers from tourists who did the 4-day Inca trail.

Easy hike up to this view point.

Fog lifted and tour groups trickled in.

“¡Que Linda!”, this girl said to Luna. And she asked if she could cuddle her.

Because a jump shot is necessary in sites like this…

… And heaps of smooches.

Don’t look down, love!

The last glimpse.

Because there’s no toilets around here (just outside).

Luna finally walking by herself. Also, the chaos in Aguas Calientes’ train station.