Peru – Day 8 – Moray, Chinchero, and Inca Musuem

Moray Agriculture Panorama
Moray Agriculture Panorama

Outside Chinchero Walls
Outside the Chinchero Walls

Chinchero Panorama
Chinchero Panorama!

On Thursday, we said goodbye to the folks heading to hike on the Inca Trail and then headed back to Cusco. On the way back, we stopped at the important Inca Agriculture center at Moray and then visited the ancient Inca settlement at Chinchero.

El Paisa - A Sampler of the Sea
When we got back to Cusco, we went out to eat at an amazing locals restaurant, El Paisa , where we enjoyed live music and ate until we were completely stuffed!

Inca Museum Courtyard
Clare, Dennis, Laura, and Larisse at the Inca Musuem
Then, we walked off the huge lunch with a visit to the Inca Musuem.

After not getting a wink of sleep, and Dennis being sick for half the night, we got up feeling groggy and grumpy. I asked the hotel to make us some plain eggs with bread, which seemed to sit okay in our stomach.

We were on our way to Moray, which was the center of the Inca agricultural system. I took a few pictures on our journey through the Sacred Valley and rising back up to the planes of Moray.
Cliffs in the Sacred Valley
Cliffs in the Sacred Valley. I wondered if any of these walls allow for climbing…the patina coated rock looked very strong.

Rising Above the Urubumba
Rising above the Sacred Valley, looking back towards the Urubumba town and river

Cusquena Grain Fields High Above Sacred Valley
The famous Cuzquena beer is made using grains grown on these fields. The company leases these fields for their beer production!

Moray Complex Relief
Overview of the Moray Complex, taken in the Inca Musuem!

Moray Agriculture Complex
The Inca developed this elaborate system of terraced beds, built in a 360 degree circular shape, to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of specific crop species. Once they would have a crop dialed down, noting the altitude and aspect to plant for the optimal yield, they would send orders for villages with terraces in similar positions to grow that crop. In this way, the Inca empire dominated agriculturally, and were able to feed their people.

Terraces at Moray with Floating Steps
Built in steps, to allow the farmers to easily climb from one terrace to another terrace! There can be as much as 2 degrees difference in temperature between one level and another!

After our tour of Moray, we drove on to the ancient Inca town of Chinchero. It threatened to rain, so we pulled out our jackets, but it never did much more than a light sprinkle.

Chinchero Street with Inca Gutter
When we got to Chinchero, we took a short 10 minute walk to get to the ruins. I turned around near the top of the hill, to get this picture looking back downhill. Again, the Inca designed amazing streets, with a gutter in the middle to channel the water down the hill.

Chinchero Sign
The Chinchero Sign

Chinchero Terraces
Chinchero Farming Terraces

Chinchero Cathedral Entrance
The beautifully designed door to the Chinchero Cathedral. Above the door is a restored mural, which was discovered under years of over painting and plaster.

The Chinchero tour did not take more than 30 minutes and soon we were back in the van, whizzing towards Cusco.

We had worked up quite an appetite with the walks around Moray and Chinchero, so we decided to eat at a local restaurant called El Paisa. It was highly recommended to us, so we were excited!

El Paisa Menu - Funny English Translation
The english menu had some pretty hilarious translations and also, it was priced higher than the spanish one. So, be sure to ask for both menus!!!

El Paisa Wall Painting
El Paisa Mural, How pretty! You can see the band playing on a stage, just under this mural.

El Paisa - Shrimp Fried Rice
The Shrimp Fried Rice…Delicious!

Inca Statue - Not to Scale!
After we all stuffed our mouths with lunch, we went our separate ways. Larisse and Laura decided to join Dennis and I for a tour of the Inca Museum. Pictures were only allowed in a few spots, but I quite enjoyed the museum and I thought it was worth the entrance price!

We decided to go to Starbucks, I know how typical!, for a coffee. It was rainy and cold outside, so the coffee really hit the spot. We enjoyed hanging out with Larisse and Laura in the groovy lounge at Starbucks; it reminded us of home.

Dennis was still feeling pretty sick at the end of the day, so we went to the MacSalud clinic. Dennis got a first rate check up by a doctor, who prescribed him an antibiotic which we hoped would help him get sorted out. Then, we headed back to the hotel and ordered chicken noodle soup for dinner (Doctors orders!).

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