Took a nice day tour near Cusco. We started the day by seeing how the locals hold alpacas, sheep, and guinea pigs to obtain wool. This wool is then first cleaned with a root and colored with various natural pigments. So called fixers like lime juice set the color and can be used to achieve different shades.
Then we visited Moray, a sort of agricultural laboratory constructed by the inkas in the 14th century. The circular terraces allow for different micro climates. On each level various crops were planted to test how well they grow and how the yield will turn out. This knowledge was used to obtain optimal harvests for each crop, such as different species of corn and potatoes.
Then we visited a salina, a place where Salt is being harvested. A natural stream carries sweet water through various sodium-rich rocks. The water picks up the salt, which is then caught in small pools. The water flow to a pool is stopped and the water evaporates in the sun, leaving the salt behind to be harvested. The whole operation is run by a cooperative of families in a town nearby. The salt produced here is of a high quality, it's a rose salt that is high in minerals. Apparently it is sold to high feluten restaurants all over the world, including Germany. At the end we got to try some chocolate with this salt.Baca selengkapnya