June 9th - On the Inca Trail

How many days is this now? Only 3???? Where are we getting the energy to walk this!? God only knows... and I firmly believe that we are not walking this trek alone. Thank goodness someone up there is looking out for us, that´s all I can say!

Most trekers have said that the Inca Trail was far more challenging and strenuous than they had ever imagined. Bruce and I finally realize what they meant! Walking on old Inca paving stones is not an easy task. As my friend Anne said, and we have both experienced this, we just have to keep our mind carefully focused on the step in front of us. As I mentioned before, we missed taking several photos due to this ´focus´, as the energy required to safely walk can be tiresome. This slow walking, step by step, at altitudes where the air is so much thiner is challenging to both of us.

Day 3 - We climbed another ridge (3860 m) following the Inca highway to the ridgetop ruins of Sayaqmarka. We walked carefully through a narrow tunnel, named the Tunnel of Love, and then we entered the the famous cloud forest, renowned for wild orchids, layslippers, bamboos of all types, with birdsongs everywhere.

Our campsite this evening, was a very rocky one. We had to watch our footing as we walked around to the dining tent, the tent toilets and just finding places to admire the magnificent scenery. Wewere were situated very high up (3530m) overlooking more Inca ruins and the Wilcanota River.

This was to be our coldest night ever. I needed to wear my new Peruvian toque, and Bruce was properly ´rugged´up, as they say. As this was also our first clear night, we had a splendid view of the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere - clearly seeing the Milky Way, the Southern Cross along with so many other constellations. As a group we sat outside and were totally transfixed - the stars were so beautiful! We felt we could almost touch them....

Our cooks continued to prepare these light, but wonderful, nutritious meals, beginning with the delicious Peruvian soups. Tonight, Bruce and I shared our bottle of Pisco (Peruvian grape brandy) with our group, which the cook heated up, using limes and cinnamon for flavour. A great hot toddy! Then off to sleep... with Bruce sharing his sleeping pills with other hikers - imagine!