This was the start of our trip to Machu Picchu.  I wasn't really sure what to expect.  "Once you've seen one Inca archaeological site, you've seen them all?"  We were in Peru, and we couldn't not see it.  I'm not sure where the cynic in me had come from, my optimism was probably still laying under my warm bed sheets, sleeping cosily. 

We arrived at the train station next to our apartment, where a confused, tired and angry Axel couldn't understand why we were at a train station but catching a bus.  But that was the scenario at 6.30.  We were led into a colonial style waiting room and offered some tea which we greedily accepted, sat in some leather highback chairs and waited to board the first leg of our journey. 

A bus would take us into the start of the mountains where we would then take a train through the Inca Valley and stop at Aguas Caliente (or Machu Picchu Pueblo), where we would dump our bags at our hostel and then catch another bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu. 

The train was actually luxurious, well organised and had the most breathtaking views of the valley as we trundled along, following the massive, wild, brown river.  The stewards constantly came down the aisle with food and refreshments of all kind.  The kids got some crayons and a colouring in book.  I wanted to sleep but the views and drinks just kept rolling along, that I just didn't have time.  

Aguas Caliente was a strange yet alluring little town.  Made up mostly of hostels and restaurants, but with the most amazing backdrop of towering mountains, roaring river and the railroad running right through it. 

Edith had a wee snooze on the bus that took us up the single track, winding road to Machu Picchu itself, while Axel held steadfastly awake peering out the window and over the roadside edge.  

And then we were there.  The entrance was crowded with buses, tourists and guide touts.  Our hearts sank as we stepped out of the bus.  Heads down we marched towards the entrance, politely refusing guides and the sale of little woollen llama key rings.  Passports and tickets shown, we crossed through and almost immediately came across the site, spread out below us.  

It takes a few minutes to take the whole site in and realise how big it is.  From our platform, we were about half way up the mountain and construction could be seen up the mountain as well as down below us on a plateau where the main town seemed to be.  

There were other tourists everywhere but the place was so big, they were spread out enough, that you didn't feel trampled on.  The kids wanted to go up "through the jungle", so up we went.  We climbed up steps leading through tropical bushes and trees and eventually came out on a plateau complete with grazing llamas.  

Tourists vying for the best spot to create their memorable FB cover photo scattered the edges of the plateau, while I looked around and realised any wee nook and cranny has the best backdrop.  This place was a photographers wet dream.  

I tried giving the kids a little history lesson, but as usual, all they cared about was the llamas.  Edith had been spat on by an Alpaca in Copacabana and so Axel, not wanting to be outdone by his sister, was determined to be spat on also. 

There were selfie sticks galore, while couples attempted a photo with a llama without getting too close.  One llama in particular took a shine to one young lady's golden, hoop earrings, which gave us a bit of a titter, as we watched it follow her around menacingly.  Even with the threat of getting her ear bitten off, she continued to pursue that glorious FB shot.

We hadn't bothered to pay for a guide and so spent the afternoon wandering the ruins, Axel and Edith entering ancient store rooms declaring them to be their new house, Lorne and I having heart attacks while the kids bounced down staircases precariously built next to cliff edges, finding a hidden nook to have our illegal picnic (food wasn't permitted on the site).

We spent a lot of time laughing at tourists' photo poses, marvelling at giant rock sundials and thanking the sun when it finally came out from behind the mist. 

Even with all the other tourists around, it was still a spot where you could just sit back and stare at the massive surrounding mountains, imagine how long and how much manpower was needed to created such a site, or just enjoy the actual peace and silence that came with the place.  

Every corner we turned provided us with a new view and a new area of discovery.  There were enough passages and steps to keep the kids occupied and enough views to keep us happy.  I could understand now why so many people visited and raved about the place.  It is difficult to put into words how amazing the place was. 

Our picture of happiness soon came to an end though, like it usually does.  Today it came in the form of Axel having a meltdown. It started off as grumbles here and there about whenever he discovered a rock to climb and it instantly became his rock and "no one else is allowed to climb on it".  It dragged on for about half an hour until he was sitting on the ground greeting into his hands about nothing in particular.  He wasn't able to vocalise why he was crying, he just was.

We understood he was tired, a late night to bed and an early rise, coupled with 2hrs of charging around the site had resulted in him weeping uncontrollably against a 5,000 year old Inca wall.  

There was still a small section to be seen, so we agreed that Lorne would escort him back to the main entrance and get him a drink at the cafe, while Edith and I finished off the remaining section.  

Edith was happy with the attention and we even got to witness a couple of rabbit-cross-squirrel type animals playing on top of a stone "condor".

When we returned to the cafe, Axel demolished a chocolate brownie about the size of a stone from an Inca Wall and Edith mushed up some fruit.  We all decided it had been a tiring yet worthwhile outing and hopefully a good memory we could all keep. 

Dinner was early and bed was even earlier at about 8pm, but after a day in the mountains, you can't really blame us.