Huayna Picchu- a Priority on My Bucket List

 

I haven’t compiled a definitive bucket list on paper yet, but if anyone asks me to name one place in the world I want to visit above all the others, my answer will be, without any hesitation, Machu Picchu, the best-preserved city of the Incas which, thanks to its strategic positioning in the heart of the Andes has fortunately escaped the destructive wrath of the conquistadores.

However, after watching many videos about Machu Picchu and its unique location, I realized that the mountain peak which rises right next to this fabulous wonder of the world, Huayna or Wayna Pichu, is no less fascinating than the Inca city itself, as it also features spectacular temples and Inca ruins. Therefore, when I think about the magical moment of finally reaching this fabulous stronghold of the mighty Inca Empire, I already imagine myself facing a dilemma: Shall I climb the stairs to the top of Huayna Picchu as well or shall I avoid such an adventurous hike?

It is obvious from the Youtube videos I have watched so far that the trail to the summit of Huayna Pichu is not recommended for people who fear heights. It is a journey made on steep, sometimes very narrow steps on which tourists have to be extremely focused to avoid a tragedy. There are also steel cables which help them in the most difficult portions of the trail, which indicate how dangerous this trek really is, and from what I have seen the descent is even scarier as there are segments in which the stairs are so steep that tourists actually have to crawl their way down until they return to the foothills of Huayna Pichu!

It is also true, however, that those who choose the entire package and include Huayna Picchu in their itinerary are rewarded with some truly exhilarating views once they reach the top; to see Machu Picchu and the entire area surrounding it from above must be a unique experience, which I would like to live one day. I am convinced that all the people who were there didn’t regret their choice of climbing Huayna Picchu for a single second. It is a hike which might also occupy a high position in my bucket list, but for now, all I can do is watch how people who visited those fabulous places lived some truly extraordinary moments in the Peruvian Andes.

Mountain Roads- Often Scary, Always Fascinating

 

Last year, as part of a summer trip to some of the natural and cultural landmarks of Romania, I had the chance, among other great exploits, to travel on some truly unforgettable mountain roads, such as the one from Curtea de Arges to Vidraru Dam, a journey full of extraordinary sights and discoveries which left me with great memories that will be never be deleted from my mind.

As the trip was made at a relaxed pace, there were several stops along the way until we reached the dam, so there were plenty of opportunities to take pictures. However, the almost indescribable beauty of the mountain landscape was also scary. As the road was going higher and higher it was more difficult to look down at the canyons under it., and going close to the edge of the road was obviously dangerous, as the view of the deep ravines below was a warning to everyone to be extremely cautious. Definitely, it wasn’t a trip recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.

This combination of feelings and mental states which ranged from wonder at the incredible natural beauty of the mountain to fear of the frightening ravines below is a truly remarkable experience. It can also be your last adventure too, if you feel too cocky and ignore the danger by going too close to the margin on the road. That’s why I preferred to keep a little distance from the guard rails, and even so I can’t deny that I was feeling a little anxious, and now when I look back at the photos made on that occasion, I almost relive those stunning moments. Mountain roads are truly splendid, but they can also, be highly dangerous, so we must always be very cautious when we are there.

The Sphinx in the Bucegi Mountains- a Natural Wonder of Romania

 

Sometimes I feel the need to detach myself from the immediate reality and let my mind wander throughout centuries. One way in which I try to connect to the past is to look again at pictures of spectacular sites I visited and relive the feelings I experienced when I saw amazing things like wonders of nature or historical buildings or monuments.

For instance, today, after watching a documentary about the Roman conquest of Dacia, my mind flew immediately to an amazing natural rock formation which is one of the symbols of my country: the Sphinx from the Bucegi Mountains.

Two years ago, when I made a journey high in the Bucegi Plateau, this 8-meter high and 12-meter rock impressed me because it resembled perfectly the head of a Dacian warrior. It was hard for me to believe that it was the work of nature and not of the human hand, but that’s the reality. Now, when I look again at the pictures I made with this quiet giant called the Sphinx, I almost expect him to wake up and gather people around him to defend the country from its invaders.

Shaped by the action of nature throughout thousands of years, the Sphinx stands still and proud like a true king of the Carpathians. For some people, it’s just a rock and nothing else, while for others it has a symbolic and mythological value. As for me, I have to say that I consider it a perfect illustration of nature’s capacity to create unique and wonderful things that will last as long as the Earth itself.