We (T)Inka it's good at Machu Picchu

It's 4am and the vibration of my alarm under my pillow has done its best to awaken me from a Valium sleep. Early early mornings are now the norm, though I'm sure it's them that's making me... What's the word?... Forgetful.

Yesterday I managed to leave Georgie's only bra and dirty pants in the changing room of some natural hot springs. So today she's making her way up to Machu Picchu we just me as support. Hence why I've got the rucksack.

We weren't the first at the bananas and oversized Sugar Puffs for breakfast but still we managed to make it through the tin roofed town of Aguas Calientes and onto the second bus by 5.30am to twist and twirl up to the ancient city's entrance gate.

The overviews of the remote relic are possibly it's most impressive feature. It's an archaic pagan foothold, guarded by misty malachite mountains; an abandoned city that remains hidden majestically in modern times. Well, except for the tourists and shuttle buses.

Still, with the determination of of latter day explorers we clambered our way up to the Sun Gate, passing other near-adventurers making their way down, those whom have followed the original footsteps of the Inka Trail, to get an overview of how difficult it was to visit such a noble and powerful example of human architecture.

We wound down again to the ancient Inka Bridge, now blocked off for safety, it's sheer cliff drop on one side doesn't, presumably, adhere to modern health and safety rules. Still, as a joke I hope they get, we signed "Fell Off" and "Safe" next to our names in the book of visitors that attempt to reach the bridge.

Finally, after a sit down next to the trio practising yoga to listen to some music and catch our breath, we wandered the corridors and walkways, houses and temples of the city itself. It's least impressive close up, the overview is what makes it seem so worthwhile, but I might just be being biased as I shattered both shin and knee attempting to leap Parqeur-style across two rocks for a photo. Insult was added to injury as one of the many whistle happy guards onsite scolded me for being up there in the first place.

The hour hike return was possibly the last thing we wanted to be doing after such and early start, but we reached our hotel just before the rain really started. Definitely a highlight of our trip so far.