South America with Sandra

Caught the train back to Ollaytantambo and met our guide for today. Hamilton! Such a Peruvian name, hey?

We then got whisked off to Mara’s. A unique salt field where salt water trickles from underground and is collected in shallow troughs. The salt then crystalises and is scooped out to dry, iodine added and then bagged for sale. This has been a salt pan since the Incas.

Next off to Moray, a suspected Inca laboratory of agriculture. They apprently experimented with growing vegetables in the circular terraces and then sent instructions on how to grown said vegetables to all the other kingdoms. Spectacular engineering and innovation.

Last stop, a traditional Peruvian village called Chinchero where the local ladies showed us how wool is made and turned into textiles. We were shown all the natural colours. Then of course taken around to buy something local to support these delightful and very colourful women. I’m sure I’ve been ripped off so this is a BIG donation to the locals.

We are now in Cusco. Up in the mountains still. An ancient city with many old and new buildings. We are staying in yet another beautiful hotel. We went for a little walk. Ate dinner at a local restaurant for a tenth of the price and delicious food. I had a Peruvian-Chinese fried rice. Yum. 🤤

Came back to the hotel because I was frozen. Best place to be was at the bar with a Pisco Sour. I think I’ve had the best one yet! Tomorrow the bartender is making us a cocktail with…wait for it…Flora de Jamaica aka Rosellas!!! Bring on tomorrow.Leia mais