We first
heard about Moray from the Wrights at an Explorers Club meeting. Their descriptions and photos were
right on target. Moray is 1 ½
hours by taxi from Cusco, all uphill through breathtaking scenery. We could have been in Switzerland if
not for the sheep, goats, burros and fornicating dogs.
Moray itself
is a giant amphitheater of concentric terraces, each said to have a different
microclimate suitable for specific crops.
All but four are covered in grass while the lower ones are planted in
corn and other crops we couldn’t identify. The stonework has that Inca attention to detail that we have
come to recognize.
On the way
back we stopped briefly at the Salinas salt pans, which we thought would look
like salt pans in Africa. Instead
this was an enormous hillside covered with swimming pool sized evaporation pans
that fill with mineral laden water from a hot spring above. Salinas has been a source of salt since
Inca times.
Our final
stop was at the town of Chinchero, a touristy place whose claim to fame is the
church built upon Inca walls. The
Plaza was filled with women and their colorful goods spread out awaiting the
next busload of tourists.
