October 26th, 2005 – Optional tour of other sites around Cusco
Our tour leader, Gwen, has organized an optional trip for some of us today where we will be visiting more Aztec ruins in the country side. It was an additional $25.00 U.S. for this and a few decided to go on an optional rafting trip. Most of the group decided to just hang around Cusco today and visit some of the local sites.
One of the group members decides to go out on his own in an area that was not so safe and paid the price. His camera bag with two expensive cameras and passport were taken from him as he strolled around one of the back streets. In the end, his passport was renewed back in Lima at the consulate but not until there were many forms to fill out and an explaination to the local authorities. This is where a tour leader and going with a group in such countries really pays off. He would of had quite a time trying to arrange everything on his own. Gwen had photo copied all of our passports on the first day of this journey and it was for good reason to look back at it now.
Tour of other sites around Cusco
After breakfast we board a small van and head out into the countryside where we had an opportunity to see some of the bigger farms. We have a guide and driver for the next 5 hours and with the small group it worked well.
Touring the country side by Cusco
A view of the country side on our bus ride. Early spring in Peru.
A site called Moyer
We first stop at a site that is called Moyer, We have a chance to walk down to what appears to be a small valley that was shored up along the banks by the Aztecs long ago.
It appears to be terraces in a large circle and it was probably more than a hundred and fifty feet deep in the center and probably close to 1000 feet wide at the top. Each terrace is built roughly 3 to 4 meters above the next one. At the bottom terrace it measures around 125 feet and it just makes you wonder where all the water goes. They do get some good rainstorms and by the looks of where it’s built you would think it should be filled with water. But it never does as our guide points out; it disappears into the porous rock below the surface. It’s not only the valley where it’s built that the water could collect, but also the water from a small mountain and some of the farmland would drain into it creating a lot of water.
Moyer
We take a trail and steps down to the bottom of this site.
Moyer
It was unclear why it this was built the way it is. Our guide tells us that even after heavy rain there is no water at the bottom of this entrapment. One theory is that the water is actually caught by this site and appears somewhere else as an aquifer. Yet another mystery of this area.
Moyer
This is one of the circles that has not been restored.
Salt Pots
After we finish our visit of Moyer, we head off to another tourist attraction which is probably not of Aztec origin. It is called the Salt Pots where a small stream is flowing out of the hillside with very high concentrates of salt.
Salt Pots
Small holding cells were built along the stream and as the stream runs through it, the salt collects to the bottom. Then, it's eventually taken and bagged for sale.
Tour to the Salt Pots
A view along our way down to the salt pots.
Tour of the Salt Pots
Roughly, there is a thousand of the holding cells and some how the people living around here manage to know which family owns which cell. It provides them with a little income.
Salt Pots.
The driver drops us off at one end and we have a chance to walk through the center of them all; he picks us up at the other end.
Salt Pots
Another view
Salt Pots
Going for a walk through the area.
Salt Pots
Our group carefully walking through the area.
Salt Pots
You had to be sure footed walking through the area, one slip could find you inside one of the pots.
On our way back we drive through a few small towns and make it back to the hotel by 1:00 pm. Took a much needed rest in the room before going for another massage at 4:00; it was a much needed one. I was getting a little tight from yesterdays hike but all was better after my appointment. Another $25.00 Dollars but again it was worth it.
We all meet for our last group dinner tonight as some of us go back to Lima in the morning and some of the group goes on an amazon extension. It never worked out for me to take the extension, as it would add a few days on to the trip. At the time of booking I wasn’t sure if I could get the time off but as chance would have it, it could have been possible. I was wishing that I could have gone but there was some time in Lima for me to look forward to before leaving on my long trip home. We picked another good restaurant and most of us spent just a little more than we usually do; it was great meal and very well done. I end up spending more than $70.00 Soles ($25.00 CDN) It looks like I’m going a little over budget on this trip, nothing to serious and still with in reason.
We decide on a pub after the dinner and we all enjoyed a few drinks before saying some Good byes before going to bed. I end up meeting some great people from England and I do hope to keep in touch with them. Hoping one day to make it over to Europe, maybe I'll be able to visit some of my friends from the Explorer trips over the last year.