Adventures By Disney Peru - Moray,the Salt Mines and a Rock Star
This morning we got to sleep in a bit as we are headed to the archaeological site of Moray which was not too far from our hotel. It was a fantastic ride - we were in 3 vans of 12 or 13 people (which achieved the purpose of making this large group of 36 a small intimate group of 12 or 13) each van had a guide to explain anything of interest we saw along the way. Paved roads lead to Inca built roads which finally lead to dirt roads. From what the guides said not too many tour groups go to Moray and I found that unbelieveable as this was one of the most visually impressive sites I had ever seen anywhere!
You may be wondering what exactly is this? It may even look to you like a sprout growing within the landscape or some kind of beautiful landscape/artwork that can only be appreciated from the hilltops above. According to our amazing local expert guide Harvey (yes, we had our 2 adventure guides AND a local expert guide) the Incas were experimenting with the effect of climatic conditions on crop growth. Harvey went on to say how by terracing crops the Incas were able to achieve micro-climates (the temperature difference between the top of the hill and the bottom was between 10 and 15 degrees. The lower terrace was more humid, the higher cooler and windier.) It was all so beautiful, peaceful and interesting at the same time! This was the only one we saw, there were three of them spread out amongst the site. Quite a few of our intrepid Adventurers climbed down to the center of the site to perform a ritual to the Pachamamma (mother earth) . Because the terraces are shaped like a theatre, the sound carries and when those who were less adventurous (ME!) when standing at the top of the hill we were able to hear what they were saying at the bottom. After about 1.5 hours we were back in our vans and on our way to the Salt Mines at Maras or Salina de Maras.
These salt mines have been mined in this area for well over 500 years, since the Inca times. Salt was such a great commodity at that time, worth more then money or gold, and this mine was the largest salt producer of the southern highlands. The way it works is that the salt miners (which are now a co-op of the local families) direct the Qoripujio (the underground spring) when it surfaces, to these three thousand plus man made wells. Because of the exposure to the sun, the water then evaporates and the salt remains on the surface which is then harvested, cleaned and then sold at the marketplace in the mine complex. There is even a pink salt produced (it is pink due to the magnesium in the area) that makes a great gourmet cooking salt. The view of this complex of nearly 3000 wells is spectacular. During the dry season the local workers demonstrate the ancient techniques to visitors. Who knew salt could be so interesting!
You may be wondering what exactly is this? It may even look to you like a sprout growing within the landscape or some kind of beautiful landscape/artwork that can only be appreciated from the hilltops above. According to our amazing local expert guide Harvey (yes, we had our 2 adventure guides AND a local expert guide) the Incas were experimenting with the effect of climatic conditions on crop growth. Harvey went on to say how by terracing crops the Incas were able to achieve micro-climates (the temperature difference between the top of the hill and the bottom was between 10 and 15 degrees. The lower terrace was more humid, the higher cooler and windier.) It was all so beautiful, peaceful and interesting at the same time! This was the only one we saw, there were three of them spread out amongst the site. Quite a few of our intrepid Adventurers climbed down to the center of the site to perform a ritual to the Pachamamma (mother earth) . Because the terraces are shaped like a theatre, the sound carries and when those who were less adventurous (ME!) when standing at the top of the hill we were able to hear what they were saying at the bottom. After about 1.5 hours we were back in our vans and on our way to the Salt Mines at Maras or Salina de Maras.
These salt mines have been mined in this area for well over 500 years, since the Inca times. Salt was such a great commodity at that time, worth more then money or gold, and this mine was the largest salt producer of the southern highlands. The way it works is that the salt miners (which are now a co-op of the local families) direct the Qoripujio (the underground spring) when it surfaces, to these three thousand plus man made wells. Because of the exposure to the sun, the water then evaporates and the salt remains on the surface which is then harvested, cleaned and then sold at the marketplace in the mine complex. There is even a pink salt produced (it is pink due to the magnesium in the area) that makes a great gourmet cooking salt. The view of this complex of nearly 3000 wells is spectacular. During the dry season the local workers demonstrate the ancient techniques to visitors. Who knew salt could be so interesting!
So far we've had quite a day but because we are traveling with Adventures By Disney, there was even more to come! After a brief respite at our home away from home, theSol Y Luna (where I was finally able to capture a picture of the hummingbird that has eluded my lens for the past 48 hours) we were off to see the studio of Peru's famous ceramicist Pablo Seminario! His works are exhibited all over the world. In the US they are in the Field Museum in Chicago and he also does workshops for the Smithsonian in Washington DC. I love the artwork that we have seen so far in this beautiful country, especially the beautiful ceramics, so I was super excited to go to Seminario's studio.
The inside of his studio is a large complex that can only be described as beautiful and peaceful. There are plenty of people working, but there are also fountains and gardens, some friendly llamas in a pen , a monkey, talking parrots, and an open air building where the clay is kneaded and ceramic pieces are being molded and and painted. It was all so visually appealing, but the icing on the cake was that Seminario himself was in the studio and consented to come speak with us! Seminario meets with very tour few groups, and Disney is one of the lucky few! I was thrilled (as were we all!) it really was like meeting a rock star. He told us how he got started and how his work evolved over the years. He then showed us some pieces he is currently creating for an exhibit and did some Q&A. We then had the opportunity to do some shopping. My husband is the lucky recipient of a gorgeous Incan Mask piece (which he adores) and I have a few pieces tucked away for future gifts for some of my friends. This was a great stop for the Junior Adventurers in our group as they got to make some clay pieces of their own to take home! What a fun day for both the big and small Adventurers.
Our Casita at the Sol Y Luna resort
Dinner was back at the ranch tonight. There was a cooking and veggie carving demo,which I was lucky enough to participate in. I helped Chef Nacho make none other then Alpaca stir fry and french fries. Everything was awesome, we even got the recipes for all the foods that the Chef cooked. ( He even autographed my recipe pamphlet!) While the Big Adventurers were watching and eating what Chef Nacho and his "assistants" were demonstrating , the Junior Adventurers were making pizza. Yum! Who knew the food in Peru could rival dinners I had in France and Italy! The best part of the night though was after dessert we were all still sitting at our tables, the lights dimmed, some salsa cha cha type music began to play and Chef Nacho and one of his lady friends treated us to the Urubamba Valleys version of dancing with the Stars! Everyone kicked their heels up and had a great time. Tomorrow is a big day though, so it was time to hit the hay...Up Next Macchu Picchu!
The inside of his studio is a large complex that can only be described as beautiful and peaceful. There are plenty of people working, but there are also fountains and gardens, some friendly llamas in a pen , a monkey, talking parrots, and an open air building where the clay is kneaded and ceramic pieces are being molded and and painted. It was all so visually appealing, but the icing on the cake was that Seminario himself was in the studio and consented to come speak with us! Seminario meets with very tour few groups, and Disney is one of the lucky few! I was thrilled (as were we all!) it really was like meeting a rock star. He told us how he got started and how his work evolved over the years. He then showed us some pieces he is currently creating for an exhibit and did some Q&A. We then had the opportunity to do some shopping. My husband is the lucky recipient of a gorgeous Incan Mask piece (which he adores) and I have a few pieces tucked away for future gifts for some of my friends. This was a great stop for the Junior Adventurers in our group as they got to make some clay pieces of their own to take home! What a fun day for both the big and small Adventurers.
Dinner was back at the ranch tonight. There was a cooking and veggie carving demo,which I was lucky enough to participate in. I helped Chef Nacho make none other then Alpaca stir fry and french fries. Everything was awesome, we even got the recipes for all the foods that the Chef cooked. ( He even autographed my recipe pamphlet!) While the Big Adventurers were watching and eating what Chef Nacho and his "assistants" were demonstrating , the Junior Adventurers were making pizza. Yum! Who knew the food in Peru could rival dinners I had in France and Italy! The best part of the night though was after dessert we were all still sitting at our tables, the lights dimmed, some salsa cha cha type music began to play and Chef Nacho and one of his lady friends treated us to the Urubamba Valleys version of dancing with the Stars! Everyone kicked their heels up and had a great time. Tomorrow is a big day though, so it was time to hit the hay...Up Next Macchu Picchu!
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