The highs (and lows) of our visit to the Bolivian salt flats

Our trip to Bolivia’s salt flats and other worldly landscapes of the country’s southwest was somewhat cursed from the start. First off we missed the bus that we had intended to take to Uyuni (where most tours to the salt flats start), as we struggled to find a taxi and then the police decided to check our taxi drivers papers. We arrived at the bus station, just as the very full bus was leaving. This was not too much of a problem as there was another bus in an hour, but if only we’d known it was a sign of things to come!

Machu and Wayna Picchu

Wayna Picchu - shrouded in mist!

Machu Picchu is Quechua - the language of the Incas and still spoken in Peru today - for old mountain. It is overlooked by Wayna (sometimes spelt Huayna) Picchu, which is Quechua for young mountain.

When booking the Inca Trail, we were given the option of spending a little bit more to climb Wayna Picchu once we were at Machu Picchu on our last day of the trail and a quick search on the internet suggested it was worth it for getting a different perspective on the site.

No jumping at Machu Picchu and definitely no streaking

Just before going on the Inca Trail, I had read in the Guardian, that an Aussie and a Kiwi tourist had been arrested after streaking through Machu Picchu.

We therefore kept a close eye on the Aussie couple in our group, but while Alex did get his legs out once or twice, that was as far as it went and they successfully managed to stay clothed. 

The authorities at Machu Picchu are taking this incident very seriously though, hence the appearance of the following sign at the front gate.

I'd love to hear that conversation with the embassy!

There are also other rules and regulations to be followed while in Machu Picchu. The ticket explains that there should be no loud shouting or whooping, but we also found that jumping photos are also not allowed. This was the best we could manage (please don't tell anyone), before being told about this rule.