I’m not mad on cars, jewellery or designer clothes but I do love collecting memories. Give me an epic view with a loved one and the sun on my face over a new handbag any day. Holidays and trips away with family and friends give you precious moments that you reminisce about for years to come. The memories take you back to a place, a scene, and a moment that you’ll remember always and that’s precious. It’s priceless. Like our Machu Picchu moment.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, Peru was all of that. It took my breath away and it had nothing to do with the altitude. We were there for just a few hours but it’s one of those holiday moments that will stay with us forever.
Train to Machu Picchu
We didn’t have enough time in Peru for a four-day hike so we took the train to Machu Picchu. I just love a train journey and so, it seems, do many of us because there was a buzz of excitement at Poroy station as the train pulled in. Tickets were checked, passengers boarded, whistles blew and we were on our way.
The landscape changed constantly throughout the journey as the train rolled along. Vast plains and farmland were replaced by low hills and the Urubamba river rushing alongside the track. Looking out of the window I could see the length of the train in front of us as we took a bend. The track ahead stretched into the endless distance of the Andes.
The Andes
Hills changed to mountains then to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes as we climbed upwards into the Sacred Valley. All the while our journey is accompanied by the rhythm of the train clattering on the tracks. Finally, we pulled into Machu Picchu Pueblo station as the train’s air horn blasted our arrival.
Machu Picchu Views
A short bus ride and a few minutes walk and Machu Picchu was almost in our grasp. We turned a corner and at last we could see the Incan citadel spread out before us. The block terraces, ramps and walls of the ancient city sit high in lush, green scenery with a backdrop of misty mountains. It’s breath-taking.
We walked through long-abandoned corridors and peek through windows into sun temples and out onto panoramic views. How did the Incan people move the huge blocks that make up the dry-stone walls and fuse them into place by manpower alone? What did the intriguing astronomical alignments mean to the ancient Incan civilisation? Machu Picchu is a blend of mystery and history and it’s beguiling.
A Machu Picchu Moment
We sat for a while in a quiet place soaking up that iconic view and connecting with the energy of the ancient Incan people who once inhabited Machu Picchu. For a while it seemed like the other people around us paled into a hazy distance. It felt like time had stopped and ancient civilisations were present in the breeze around us. It was only us, that view and a moment I’ll always treasure.
Win a trip to Rome
British Airways Holidays has teamed up with HuffPost Travel to celebrate those amazing little moments that make your holiday unforgettable. Share your favourite holiday moment and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a city break to Rome. #BAHolidayMoments
As well as entering the competition above let us know what your favourite holiday moment was in the comments below.
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I think maybe once or twice I’ve mentioned that I’d love to follow in your Machu Picchu trip an trace each and every footstep. The train option is high on my list!
I’ll be writing about our train journey in an upcoming post. Stay tuned!
I’m definitely a fan of a romantic epic train journey and I have wanted to try this one for myself – I have to second the experience of having bad fog in Seattle & Vancouver and around SF but I’m pretty sure the likelihood of bad weather in Peru isn’t as high as the Pacific North West or Pacific Coast Highway 🙂
I think you just have to make the most of every minute whatever the weather, wherever you are!
Peru … yes, I know … have to visit, so long I have the strength. Beautiful .. I have seen pictures of Peru before and it’s really something very special. This train journey sounds amazing, but with my luck .. it will probably foggy if I do it. Happened twice now for me … The Pacific Coast Highway, USA … between LA and SF – it was like driving in a milk package. And my epic train journey between Seattle and Vancouver … same thing.
That’s such a shame – one thing you can’t control is the weather. Had really foggy in SF too one time but sunny on another. We were so lucky in Peru – glorious sunshine. Will be writing about ‘that train journey’ some time.
Yes, trips like that … you only do once, at least for me. But the weather we have to take as it comes. Looking forward to your upcoming posts. They are more like articles. You’re so talent. By the way my friend has talked me in to do Las Vegas in 2 years time .. for her 75 birthday, so long as I can do Chicago at the same time .. I will sacrifice myself. *laughing
This was definitely a once in a lifetime Wivi and I agree you have to make the most of wherever you are whatever the weather 🙂 I’m British I’m good at doing that! Vegas is madder than a bucket of spiders – such a blast! You told me before that Chicago is amazing – hope to find out for myself some day…
I was in such a bad mood last time we visit Las Vegas, because of my feet .. could hardly walk and the heat didn’t make it easier – so now I know better and … there is things I would like to visit – last time I was only moaning. *smile – Chicago is my kind of town as you know. You should recommend it to your customers – the best restaurant city in US .. and loads of things to do/see and so friendly.
I loved the Neon Sign museum in Vegas and the Mob Museum which is nearby is excellent too. I’d love to visit Chicago cos I’ve heard good things before from you about this city 🙂
Just want I was thinking about .. in Las Vegas. It’s not until 2019, so no rush in planning. *smile My 70th first … that I will spend in my beloved Biarritz,
When is your birthday? I’m heading to Biarritz for the first time in a couple of weeks. Staying just outside but hoping to get into the town. Only there for 2 days though… good news that it’s a favourite of yours – that means I’ll love it too!
11/9 – great day. You have to visit Biarritz … you will love it. I know some brilliant restaurants, but if you’re staying outside. The best fish & seafood restaurant in the whole area is Chez Albert in the little fishing harbour in the middle of the town. The town on the black rocks! Hard not to love it.
Thanks for the tips, will try and check out Chez Albert 🙂
Please, do …. I knew Albert … but he was killed in motorbike accident many years ago … and his girlfriend carried on, but I don’t know how it’s today. Their seafood plateau are amazing. 10 years since I was there last on my 60th.
We’re there for a very short time but will do our best 🙂
You will love the area.
I’ve got to tell you Suzanne, reading this has brought a few tears to my eyes. You’ve taken me right back to my own visit there and the sentiments you’ve expressed echo my own so completely – it must be the spell of Machu Picchu at work! That aside, one of those special moments I always refer to is the total solar eclipse I saw in 1999. Literally AND figuratively, that was ‘out of this world’.
So glad to hear you fell under its spell too – such a magical place. Our moment there was very special. I remember the solar eclipse very well too, who I was with, where I was and how the birds fell suddenly silent as the sky darkened.
I’d love to visit and the new Belmond train looks like an amazing way to do it! Favourite holiday moment – I think sunset over the river looking at the Taj Mahal is one of my pinch me moments – to be in India and to visit something like that isn’t something I ever thought I would be able to do!
I shall be writing about our train journey when I get a spare day which was absolutely amazing. As I walked through the archway and saw my first glimpse of the Taj Mahal it brought tears to my eyes! Sounds corny but true.
So many… spotting the ears of my first grizzly bear in The Great Bear Rainforest has to be. My first sight of a golden chedi in Chiang Mai is another.
Aren’t we lucky to have such great travel memories and hopefully more to come 🙂
I so want to do that train journey to Machu Picchu someday! So hard to choose my favourite holiday moment but seeing a bear in the wild in Canada has to be high up on the list.
It was an epic train journey and I will get around to posting about it on the blog properly some time! Seeing animals in the wild is truly special…
Ooh, exciting stuff, Suze! I’ve never been to Rome 🙂 🙂 Shall have to have a think.
Machu Picchu looks almost brand new in those photos. Incredible, isn’t it? Things have obviously changed because I always thought you had an enormous endurance test of a hike to get to those amazing views. So glad you could make another dream come true.
Oh definitely enter Jo, you have some fab shots. We didn’t have the time and I don’t have the knees for a four day hike anymore so we were lucky that there are other options. There are three different trains that run day trips to Machu Picchu from Cusco. We nearly didn’t get there as the station workers were on strike the day we were meant to go. Luckily we were able to bring our tickets forward a day…