Category: Peru

Today was mostly a driving day. We hit the road late morning after tracking down some breakfast and checking out of the hostel. The goal was to make it to the city of Urubamba. Two of the sites we wanted to visit are not far from there.

We went back out the same way we came into Santa Teresa. The views from the mountainside roads were as amazing today as when we first saw them.  Absolutely stunning!

Continue reading “24: Back Through The Sacred Valley”

The first stop of the day was the Maras Salt Mines (or salt evaporation ponds}.

The ponds were first put in place by pre-Inca civilizations. They are fed with water from an underground stream of mineral rich water that some describe as a ancient ocean that was trapped underground. The water travels through a network of small channels to the ponds and flow is controlled by blocking off sections of the channel with rocks.

Once the ponds are filled, they are left for a period of time so the sun can evaporate the water, leaving the salt behind. Families in the area own, tend, and ultimately harvest the pools. The salt is sold locally in the Sacred Valley as well as internationally.  If you ever purchase Peruvian pink salt it may very well have come from these ponds. 

Continue reading “25: Salt and Agriculture”

We used the last two days in Peru for a more leisurely look at Cusco.  You have seen some of the sights in this first section of pictures before, but this will give you the daylight glimpse.

There was a photographer in the plaza trying to find anyone that might be interested in having a picture taken in front of the statue of Pachacuti. The majority of visitors were taking selfies, but he was out there trying anyway. At one point he did decide to take a break though.

Continue reading “26: Cusco”