Machu Picchu. Memorable day in more ways than one.

A truly phenomenonal, awesome place. Far far better than I'd expected, certainly up there with my most unique experiences.  Despite (or maybe because of the rain) the site was uncharacteristically quiet, the guards, notoriously aggressive, were charming, helpful and happy to let me wander at will regardless of one way signs. No pressure to have a guide, fine to take a picnic inside (normally a no no), all of which helped make this a magical day.

I hadn't got up for the sunrise, the forecast was too bad, a wise move as it was apparently completely obscured by cloud. Instead I got the bus around 9 am, when the dawn crowds had vanished. It's a hairy, scary, 30 minute climb twisting and turning up the mountain to the summit site. And coming down I came as close as I ever have to dying..

But at the time I knew nothing of what was to come.  Rain showers came and went as I trekked up to the Sun Gate, an hour's steep climb with very high rocky steps, but worth it to be literally up in the clouds, the valley below lit by shafts of sun light.

First sight of Machu Picchu rising out of the mist

Up with the birds in the cloud forest

Heading up to sun gate, highest point and the place where the Inca trail enters Machu Picchu

Slipping and sliding back down, I spent an entrancing afternoon exploring this sacred site, inside the ruins now inhabited by alpacas, and climbing the surrounding mountains to get a view from every possible perspective.

Heading back from sun gate

Incredible structures up in the clouds, withstanding all for over 500 years

Literally on top of the world

In the shadow of the mountain

Awesome!

So beautiful

Alpacas, me and the ancient sacred spirits.

They definitely pose!

there is a storm coming in!

Heading out finally to get the shuttle down I was on a high, exhilarated, happy, carefree, literally on top of the world.

On top of the world! Unaware of what was to happen next

Then came the most traumatic moment of my entire life.

The bus crashed. 

Hurtling down  the sheer mountain road  back to Aqua Calientes, we skidded on a hairpin bend, careered alongside the guard rail, teetered perilously over the  vertical drop below before, miraculously, bouncing back to smash into the cliff face.

In the ensuing chaos, smoke, screaming, blood everywhere, I was convinced I was going to die and I would never see my beloved family again.

Incredibly, I escaped with severe bruising, esp to my face which hit something hard,  and deep cuts on my legs. Others were  much worse off, though as far as I know, no one was killed.

The Peruvian medics were wonderful, sending ambulances for us, sitting with us in the dirt holding hands to comfort people. I just couldn't stop crying and a woman sat with me in the van (I was too scared to get in but there is no other way down, it's too far) , she  comforted me in Spanish all the way to the town. At the clinics free treatment, free painkillers, free anti-inflammatory cream, and a police escort to the hostal where the staff were also so, so kind, bringing me much needed cup of tea.

I'd had a memorable day in Macchu Picchu anyway, and now this day will go down as one I will never, ever forget. Surreally, as we sat in the post crash debris , a rainbow came out above us.  A reminder to cherish every day, because life is beautiful and you never know what's round the corner.

Not long now til I come home. I have always appreciated my wonderful, special family, my lovely friends, my happy life, and today I cherish it with a passion after coming so close to dying.  I am so, so  lucky 😊😊😊