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DAY 3 – MOTHER’S ALWAYS THINK THEY KNOW BEST – BUT SOMETIMES WE SHOULD LISTEN TO OUR CHILDREN WHO ACTUALLY DO KNOW WHAT’S RIGHT

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“An adventure may be worn as a muddy spot or it may be worn as a proud insignia. It is the woman wearing it who makes it the one thing or the other.” – Norma Sheare

Today was challenging, exhilarating yet never exhausting.

We started the day hiking at Tipon . The Incas built these agricultural terraces and irrigation system over 600 years ago and today it is still perfectly functional.

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Inca construction defies logic. How can a water canal  built all those years ago with underground pipes still operate at the same pace  without leaking, without flooding, without changing?

Ice cold, pure spring water cascades over man made waterfalls into terraced canals following the exact path that was carved all those years ago. Remember the Incas didn’t have iron tools or the wheel.

We spent about 2 hours hiking round the terraces stopping often to snap photos and learn more about the terraces.  Sharon and I climbed  the floating rocks built into the walls as steps– and yes even after 600 years – they could still bear my weight. Note the walls are built without mortar. Image

There were times today that I wished I was fitter. It’s difficult climbing steps. It’s scarry navigating down rocky pathways. Walking distance is very tiring. Yet never did I even contemplate quitting. There are times when I needed to slow down and times when I look for the “natural park bench” and sit for a while absorbing all that is good around me. And when you have the time to stop and reflect all the good that really surrounds every one us , which unfortunately is not too often as we get stuck in the nitty gritties of life, there’s nothing sweeter.

Here’s a photo taken from the top of the terraces giving you a slight indication of how far we walked.Image

We then drove to the non-existent  Paqpachaca Inca Bridge – a suspension bridge that once crossed  the Urumba river and was recently washed away , where we had  a picnic lunch on a grassy hill overlooking  the river. Here’s where I wished I had listened to Margot and purchased right hiking pants she chose instead of refusing to wear them because I thought they weren’t the right style ( which is really a nicer way of saying they made me look fat!) Tiny burrs from dry grass hooked onto my pants – it felt like I had a thousand needles scratching my bum and legs. Who Knew? Well , everyone in our group knew that when outdoors  dress for the outdoors. Margot knew and now I know.  Sharon did her best to remove them, first with her hand, then with a plastic knife and finally with a smooth stone  -  but here I am still scratching.

Towards the end of the hike when we were starting to feel tired Disnarda showed us how to chew coca leaves.  You can see the absolute joy on Sharon’s face and note the coca leaves on the side. Image

Today I learned the value of friendship and the importance of a team – who guided me, advised and helped make the end achievable. Tomorrow was meant to be a free day but instead Sharon and I decided to join the group for a  5 hour uphill hike. This will be the final preparation for the big hike to Machu Picchu that starts Sunday morning at 6am.

I am so looking forward to tomorrow. I now have the right hiking pants. I’ll carry my backpack filled with water, eat a hearty and healthy breakfast and step into the bus with a renewed energy – and huge smile.

Cheers!Image



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