Urubamba, Peru - Polarsteps

The last day in Cusco we spent outside the city, touring through the beautiful Sacred Valley! We were a bit in doubt of rushing it, but it worked out beautifully. Although we spend little time at each site, we still had enough time to enjoy it. 🎉 Thinking of how to describe this day to our family and friends, we thought it must sound all very similar to you. Another staple of Inca-blocks and some potato field? Yes it it. Still all different to us! Lets sum it up: 1️⃣ A traditional weaving centre🪡, we got some coca tea and a women starting singing for us - although she didn't look as if she (or we) enjoyed this (you can hear the new voice of Peru in the video). And Frank tried a poncho, but it was way too expensive 🫰. -sad Liselot, because she wanted to buy it all- 2️⃣A former palace with a big terrain for planting one of the 4000 kind of potatoes that Peru is rich. Of course this place is now a church🤷. 3️⃣More agriculture! However, this one was really awesome as it was used as a test centre to get the best adapted species for certain climate/terrain. They create microclimates via the shade and acces to water on the different levels of terraces. 4️⃣The Salt-mine 🧂, a site that really stands out. As the Andes used to be part of the ocean, before it was lifted up, the mountains got a big salt-reserve. In this place brine water bubbles up and since Inca times they have been using canals to fill different shallow baths. The sun will dissolve all the water and what is left is salt! The upper layers are for consumption and the brownish layers are used for things like bath salt. Super cool! 5️⃣Lunch!🥔 Very important part of the day! 6️⃣This is the most touristy stop on the route and worth it! It's an old fort with temple on top. This is actually one of the only places where the Inca's kicked the Spanish asses once👊. Very impressive! 7️⃣Another agricultural spot and natural refrigerator! The Inca's used the windtunnels caused by the valley's and mountains to build storage units strategically placed at cold places with a lot of ventilation. Very clever!🤓 8️⃣And more of an obligatory visit to a jewel shop, not sure why we had to go through it. Learned something about silver and our horoscopes (of course). But skipped the buying part. That was our presentation, if you have any questions, feel free to ask us. Ciao!

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Peru