Closing the circle - 180º - Machu Picchu...

Perú

Over the last decade or so I've had two desires.  The first of which was to explore the world a little more.  The four months I've spent in South America on my Andean odyssey (with rainforest add-ons) has gone a long way to satiate that thirst.  The original plan to travel south through Perú and Bolivia, experiencing both countries in depth, was scuppered in the early stages.   First, by the discovery of the possibility of attending the Eagle Condor Festival in Brazil.  I factored this into my plans, no hesitation.  The other huge disruption to my well-thought-out route was meeting the girl who has now become my other half only four days into my trip.

Mexico

Many years ago I saw a picture of the legendary Machu Picchu.  Before then I'd been lucky enough to visit some European countries with my family but this place sparked a desire to travel further afield that would grow over time.  Eventually, I got to visit some more exotic locations both alone and with some great travelling companions:  Mexico by myself to begin with, charging round Morocco with Phil came next, laughing all the way from Salvador to Rio with John in Brazil followed and, most recently, a life-changing journey through northern India with Andy.  I thank them all for putting up with my idiosyncrasies.  But the primary motivating factor for all these trips was still unseen by my eyes - Machu Picchu.

Morocco

Thanks to sage advice from my old pal, Erry, I booked the Inca Trail whilst in the UK.  Had I not I wouldn't have been able to trek along this famous route.  It is thanks to him I was able to open the circle properly.  Early in my adventure my dream finally came true and this wonder of the Incas was before my eyes, surpassing my expectations.  However, I had to leave early to meet the rest of my group but when I did I somehow knew I'd return.  And that I did.

Brazil

My novia and I woke before four in the morning to try and beat the huge influx of tourists to the site arriving by bus. The walk up the steep path in the dark was one of the best bits of the day.  The silent forest around us slowly came to life as the sun rose.  It was only as we neared the top of the path that the first buses arrived.  The weather was similar to my previous visit; mist covering the valley and hills, all views obscured.  In contrast to November, the weather would not become a glorious sunny day but, now firmly in the wet season, would only get worse.  We had a chance to roam the site with only a few other tourists.  It was good to see the reaction of someone seeing this place for the first time.  Really great, especially as Machu Picchu was also one of the main reasons she was in Perú.  So, sat at the top of Huyana Picchu in the clouds the exploration of South America came to an end, at least for now.  And in the place of Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat began to rise in my mind's eye.

India

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.”

John Hope Franklin