Into the Clouds: My Trek to Machu Picchu

I have been fascinated by mystical sites for a long time, and I am so grateful that I have a job that allows me to travel to these mysterious places. Throughout humankind's history, we find people around the globe who regard nature with admiration, awe, and fascination. Our ancient ancestors believed all the universe's secrets were somehow hidden in nature's storehouse, just waiting for discovery. My first real vacation was in Peru in 2011. I explored the magical ruins of Machu Pichu, sacred sanctuaries in Cusco, the mysterious ruins of Pisac, and the magnificent fortress of Sacsaywaman. I have returned since 2015 to visit the other sites. The first time I visited Peru, I faced altitude sickness. I had to take altitude sickness pills to alleviate the pain.

Be sure to prepare yourself if you are going to visit. During my exploration, I encountered a lot of local Andean people. In Peru, taking a picture of the locals without asking permission is considered rude. If you want to get your picture taken with the locals, You have to ask permission first and offer something in return, such as a donation. A suggested donation is one sol, which is about 35 cents. If you are going to visit Peru, you will need at least two weeks to appreciate everything. In 2001, I booked it with a travel group, so my itinerary was all planned out. When I visited the second time, I went alone and had to figure out my way around. I met a few solo travelers, including Tom from Australia. Met him on the train on my way to Machu Pichu. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do Tambomachay the second time around. From what I remember, it was terrific. Sacsayhuaman was impressive as well. The ancient sites have a profound connection with the star system, the cosmos, and the planets.

What is left is huge, although the remains are believed to be only 20 percent of the original site.

One account claims it took 20,000 men and 50 years to build it. The completed structure consisted of three massive zig-zag fortification walls stretching over 1,000 feet: three high towers and a labyrinth of buildings and tunnels housed 5,000 soldiers. One stone block is 28 feet high and weighs 361 tons, amongst dozens of over 100 tons. The walls of giant megalithic stones were fitted together perfectly without any mortar. They are so snug that no one can slip a piece of paper between the rocks.

Another place I recommend checking out is the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Ollantaytambo, the sanctuary of the wind. Urko Temple is another one located in Calca Village. Similar to Egypt, there were many serpent sculptures and designs here. According to the Inca civilization, the Serpent symbolized fertility. They believed that everything had energy transfer, and we fertilized everything.

We feed our minds, emotions, relationships, working and home environment, spirituality, and many other things. It is up to us whether we fertilize them with positive or negative energies. What we fertilize is what we will harvest. Wow! I learned so much from that adventure.

When I finally arrived in Machu Pichu, it was one of the most vital, energetic vortices on the planet. The beauty of this incredible place blew me away. An effort must have gone into building it all from the surrounding rock. Some buildings sit on top of rock outcrops and almost look like natural rock. There are dead straight walls everywhere. The Incas built channels to distribute water throughout the city, and after 600 years, water still flows through them.

Many parts of Machu Pichu are still under restoration. The region's many earthquakes caused much of the damage.

Many of the symbols found in Machu Pichu and the ruins were connected to the stars, moon, sun, planets, and sky constellations.

The guide in 2001 told us that the stone buildings covering several square miles were in exact alignment with the Pleiades star cluster. During the June solstice sunrise, Machu Pichu becomes the sacred center. Two years later, CNN released a story confirming this. Amazing!

Machu Pichu is a perfect place for meditating, rejuvenating, praying, and making a wish. The mysterious fortress is very sacred and spiritual. Many people have said it is a powerful energy place, and you will surely get whatever you wish. You bet I made a wish! I have been fascinated by mystical sites for a long time, and I am so grateful that I have a job that allows me to travel to these mysterious places. Throughout humankind's history, we find people around the globe who regard nature with admiration, awe, and fascination. Our ancient ancestors believed all the universe's secrets were somehow hidden in nature's storehouse, just waiting for discovery.

My first real vacation was in Peru in 2011, when I explored the magical ruins of Machu Pichu, sacred sanctuaries in Cusco, the mysterious ruins of Pisac, and the magnificent fortress of Sacsaywaman. I returned in 2015 to visit the other sites.

The first time I visited Peru, I faced altitude sickness. I had to take altitude sickness pills to alleviate the pain. Be sure to prepare yourself if you are going to visit.

During my exploration, I encountered a lot of local Andean people.

In Peru, taking a picture of the locals without asking permission is considered rude.

If you want to have your picture taken with the locals, you have to ask permission first and offer something in return, such as a donation.

If you are going to visit Peru, you will need at least two weeks to appreciate everything. In 2001, I booked it with a travel group, so my itinerary was all planned out. When I visited the second time, I went alone and had to figure out my way around. I met a few solo travelers, including Tom from Australia. Met him on the train on my way to Machu Pichu. (Check out my video)

Unfortunately, I didn't get to do Tambomachay the second time around. From what I remember, it was terrific. Sacsayhuaman was impressive as well. The ancient sites have a profound connection with the star system, the cosmos, and the planets.

What is left is huge, although the remains are believed to be only 20 percent of the original site.

One account claims it took 20,000 men and 50 years to build it.

The completed structure consisted of three massive zig-zag fortification walls stretching over 1,000 feet, three high towers, and a labyrinth of buildings and tunnels that housed 5,000 soldiers. One stone block is 28 feet high and weighs 361 tons, amongst dozens of over 100 tons.

The walls of giant megalithic stones were fitted together perfectly without mortar. They are so snug that no one can slip a piece of paper between the rocks.

Another place I recommend checking out is the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Ollantaytambo, the sanctuary of the wind.

Urko Temple is another one located in Calca Village.

There were a lot of serpent sculptures and designs here that were similar to those in Egypt.

According to the Inca civilization, the Serpent symbolizes fertility.

They believed that everything has energy transfer and we fertilize everything.

We feed our minds, emotions, relationships, working and home environment, spirituality, and many other things. It is up to us whether we fertilize them with positive or negative energies. What we fertilize is what we will harvest. Wow! I learned so much from that adventure.

Finally, when I arrived in Machu Pichu, one of the strongest energetic vortices on the planet, I was blown away by the beauty of this incredible place and the effort that must have gone into building it all from the surrounding rock. Some buildings sit on top of rock outcrops and almost look like natural rock. Dead, straight walls everywhere. The Incas built channels to distribute water throughout the city, and after 600 years, water still flows through them.

Many parts of Machu Pichu are still under restoration. The region's many earthquakes caused much of the damage.

Many of the symbols found in Machu Pichu and the ruins were connected to the stars, moon, sun, planets, and sky constellations.

The guide in 2001 told us that the stone buildings covered several square miles were in exact alignment with the Pleiades star cluster. During the June solstice sunrise, Machu Pichu becomes the sacred center. After he told us this two years later, CNN released a story confirming it was true. Amazing! Machu Pichu is a perfect place for meditating, rejuvenating, praying, and making a wish. The mysterious fortress is very sacred and spiritual. Many people have said it has a powerful energy, and you will surely get whatever you wish. You bet I made a wish!