June 12-13, Salt & Machu Picchu

Covered a lot of ground in the last couple of days! We left Cusco early yesterday and drove up onto the high plateau above Cusco. We first stopped at the sunken terraces holes of Moray.


It's believed that the holes were used in crop experimentation acting as microclimates from the top terraces to the botttom.
We then made a brief visit to the beautiful colnial church in the town of Maras before continuing on. Our next stop was lunch and we were in for a treat! Adam had planned a gourmet and catered picnic on a bluff overlooking the salt ponds of Salineras.









We're talking chilled wine, fresh salads and alpaca filet mignon, followed by cheesecake!
After digesting a bit we walked down onto the surreal salt ponds of Saliners where people have been collecting salt from collecting water from the mountain stream and letting it evaporate since pre-Inca times.


We finished off our day by hiking down to the base of the Sacred Valley to meet our van and headed into the town of Ollantaytambo. We're staying at the beautiful Albergue inn an old favorite of mine.

Today we were up before dawn to prepare to catch our 6:40 train to Machu Picchu. The ride takes you along the banks of the Urubamba River through spectacular scenery, from dry rocky hills to lush cloud forest.






When we got to the ruins we split into smaller groups and spent the day photographing and taking in the epic location of the mysterious Inca site.





Amazing day which was topped off by another great meal. Off to the sauna now with a shot of Pisco in my hand! Saludos!