Moray - Cusco

The archeological complex of Moray is located at 33 miles from Cusco, following the road that goes to the Urubamba Valley, to the northwest. From an aerial view, Moray formations seem to be huge hollows, built as enormous and perfect circular amphitheaters. However, being actually there at those amazing pre-Columbian constructions can be one of the most extraordinary experiences while visiting Cusco rand the Sacred Valley of Incas. This is not only because of the impressive landscape. It is also because of the information that you will receive from the expert regional guides about the theories on the origins of Moray, the reason for building it and its functionality during the times of the Inca Empire.

Origins of Moray
Several theories tried to explain the origin of Moray and its amphitheaters. There is a simplistic theory, which appears whenever the human activities are difficult to clarify: an extraterrestrial incursion. A second theory, suggests the hypothesis of a meteorite storm, which produced such huge holes in the ground. Then, the population from the Inca Empire took advantage of those formations for building their amphitheaters. Of course, a third theory attributes the whole construction of Moray's system to the ancient inhabitants of these lands.

Even when the first two assumptions were true, the Incas have had to perform a tremendous job during the excavation of the circular downward platforms around the walls of each hollow. These were built like perfect concentric circles, laid out as terraces 23 feet wide. Some of the hollows reach depths of 500 feet. This alone represents the work of thousands of people during several generations of hard labor.

Moray: the Agriculture Lab of Incas
The first investigators saw the Moray archeological complex as a group of amphitheaters used for performing and musical arts, due to their similitude with the ancient Greeks' structures. However, modern studies have determined the real reason for the existence of these constructions. The Incas used the circular platforms for experimental agriculture. This new perspective is based in several evidences. The construction in descending platforms allowed the creation of microclimates. In fact, the temperature and other indicators in the surface are typical of mountain weather. While descending, the central platforms are surrounded by a subtropical climate. And, if you reach the very bottom, you will be able to experience a tropical weather.

Investigations indicate that these circular constructions were something like an agriculture lab. The Incas used the difference between platforms in order to acclimate their vegetables. By planting potatoes in the surface, for example, and after subsequent progressive transplants to the inferior platforms, season by season, they were capable to adapting the tubers and other vegetal products to the jungle environment. By following similar procedures, the Incas found the method to exchange vegetal food from the mountains to the rainforest and vice versa. This is also one of the multiple evidences of the particular interest of Incas about the environment integrity.

The Moray Unique Experience
The only presence of these unique constructions at 10500 feet of altitude is enough to astonish the visitor. The irrigation channels, the system of stairs to pass from platform to platform, the acoustic quality of the amphitheaters are some of the many wonders that you will be able to enjoy there.

Back in the day, most of the tubers, corn and other crops were generated directly from Moray. Take into consideration that Peru counts with more than 3000 varieties of potatoes, among other impressing numbers of agricultural products, most of which may have been engineered at Moray. Thus, you will be visiting what could be the cradle of modern day crops that are currently consumed all over the world!

This article was written by a Peru Travel expert at Peru travel Now, available to help you custom design your exciting Peru Tours

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Artisans of Morocco: The Carpet Weavers

When you walk down the streets in Morocco, you will be greeted by rows and rows of colorful Berber carpets that hang on the old walls. Each of these beautiful masterpieces are all different, each with their own design and color.

High up in the Atlas Mountains there are many small Berber tribes. Each of these tribes have there own artists that make carpets. These carpets are formed by intricate knots that are tied by the skillful hands of the artists. Each artist has their own story that they want to tell through their carpets and it is shown in the colorful design. The symbols of the tribes are woven into the carpets, along with any other shape or color that the artist wants.

The carpets are made up of three basic textures as a result of the materials that are used to make them. The three textures are thick wool, thin wool and a mixture of the two. Each of these carpets has their own feel and atmosphere which makes the options limitless. The colors of these carpets are made from natural dyes such as Saffron, crushed rocks and kohl. A result of the chemical free dyes, these carpets are not only beautiful to the eye but also very environmental friendly.

The carpets designs have different patterns according to where they were made. Some carpets are brightly colored with reds, pinks and yellows, and have a very busy design. Others are made of more soft colors such as brown, dark green, blue and maroon. As a result of the huge variety of colors these carpets make home decorating a breeze. They always make a lovely touch to your home weather it be by making the walls colorful and vibrant from the hanging carpets, or from making a room cozy and warm from a thick woolen carpet on the ground.

The carpets come in all shapes and sizes. The largest size can cover a floor of a very large room and the smaller sizes can make a doormat or a bed room carpet. Each of these carpets will vary in pricing as a result of the size, color and age. If your carpet is large then it means that the time to make it will be well over a month so the cost will go up accordingly. As you well know, Saffron is worth its weight in gold so even if the carpet is small and it is dyed with Saffron then it will be more expensive. Finally, if the carpet is of more then 100 years of age it is considered an antique and its value will have increased.

The carpets of Morocco are both colorful and unique and will provide a lovely atmosphere to your home. If you are looking to take a trip to Morocco is sure to stop at the carpet shops and see for your self the beauty of this art.

Jaffar Wilson currently works with Experience It! Tours offering tours to Morocco and Libya Tours

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What To Do in Singapore in One Day

Singapore is a small city-country and attraction highlights are not so far from each other so you can just hop from one place to another. Aside from that, the city's transportation system is very good and most popular sites can be reached by the train. If it's your first time in Singapore and you only have limited time to explore, it's best to use the MRT or the taxi to get to your destination. So this won't be too hard even if you haven't been in the city, you don't even need a tour guide on your sightseeing. All you need is an adventurous heart and some cash to proceed. What to do then if you only have a day in Singapore?

Depending on what time of the day you are most free. If you start early, you may want to try Singapore's local toast, the Kaya toast (toasted bread with butter and Kaya made from sweetened coconut milk) matched with the Singapore-style cooked egg (slightly boiled egg) and Singapore local kopi. This is available in hawker centers. Airport cafes also serve this.

From Changi Airport, your first stop is the Esplanade (Theatres by the bay) the iconic durian structure in Singapore. You can find cosmopolitan food centers, malls and the library esplanade. Take some pictures and enjoy the place. Also, just nearby is the Merlion Park where you find the Merlion (half lion half fish) of which Singapore is famous for. You can relax and sit on the benches in the park and take photos as this will be your ultimate evidence that you have been to Singapore. A Singapore trip without the Merlion is incomplete. Around the area are the Singapore flyer and the Marina Bay Sands. You may choose to ride the flyer, the largest observation wheel in the world for a 30-minute ride for a spectacular view of the city and the neighboring countries Indonesia and Malaysia or just go to Marina Bay Sands Skypark which also offers the same view. You can also do a lot of things in Marina Bay Sands as this one is an entertainment complex where you find shops, casino, restaurants, hotel and the art science museum. This place is great for taking pictures. From Marina Bay, you can pass through the Helix Bridge, the world's first double-helix structure inspired by the yin and yang concept of the Asian culture which is said to bring wealth, happiness and prosperity to Marina Bay. This bridge links Marina Bay to the Singapore Flyer and the Gardens by the Bay. This will complete your half day tour.

As to where to go for lunch, the esplanade has lots of food centers around depending on your choice of food. Some local food to try on includes chili crab, chicken rice, hokkien mee, laksa, etc.

If you're still free in the afternoon, you may want to visit Sentosa and take some photos with you. Just hop on the MRT going to Harbourfront and buy a ticket either for the monorail or the cable car ride going to Sentosa whichever you fancy. You can do a lot of things in the island with the beach and the Resorts World Sentosa including the Universal Studios. A day is not enough to do everything especially if you want to enjoy the theme park. But there are a lot of beautiful things to capture your camera with. Just choose the activities you want to do. There is an information booth when you get down where you can find information on what to do in the island.

However, if you're only free time is in the evening, the Esplanade, Merlion Park and the Marina Bay Sands are also perfect at night as it transforms into an enchanting beauty with the colors of the lights and the dark night where the view is spectacular. After enjoying this part of the city, hail a taxi and go to the nearby Clarke Quay where Singapore's night life is so alive. Have some food and drinks or go for a boat ride along the Singapore River. If you want some adrenaline pumping activity, you can also find the Gmax here where you'll be able to try the reverse bungee.

After exploring the city, you can just hop on a taxi or the nearest MRT station and go back to Changi airport for your flight. However little time you may have, the important thing is you enjoyed your stay and you have a glimpse of the city.

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