Sep 19, 2016.  MP to Marriott Hotel, Cusco, Peru.

• Early breakfast, then all four off to MP (the entrance is a short walk from the hotel, which is why we stayed there), again beating the crowds.  Different light, everything glowing.  I had to take a dump behind some walls, and Len continued on to another hike.  I stayed with Bruce and Che, we returned to the hotel for breakfast, then I headed back to MP for the hike that Len took - Cerro Machu Picchu - but the morning session was over, so I couldn't go.  Instead, I walked down from MP to Aguas Callientes, about an hour and a half, first on the road, then on a steep stairway.  

• Visited the Museo Manuel Chavez Ballon at the bottom, a nice summary of the history, both ancient and modern, of MP.  Better was the adjacent botanical garden, with some nice orchids.  Later came across a Butterfly garden, where I watched beautiful big iridescent blue butterflies extricate themselves from their cocoons.  Finally met up with the other three at the main plaza at 3, as agreed.

• Another great meal at another restaurant recommended by LP, then the train for Pisac.  Just before it left, somebody from our hotel knocked on the train window to get out attention, and showed us a package of shopping stuff that Len had forgotten.  Lucky Len!

• The train ride took about five hours, but they served drinks and a dinner, and then had a style show of clothing for both men and women.  Nice stuff, but nobody bit.  Taxi to the Marriott, shower, bed by midnight.  

Look how well we avoided the crowds at the entrance by staying in the adjacent hotel: