LOCATION: Lima, Peru
The major focus was a sleep-in, a laundry and the bank. Ticked off those essentials effortlessly and managed ti weave in a few adventures in the capital as our layover day before heading to the Amazon Basin.
A little nervous about our packing choices for this next leg. We have to skim off 10 kg into an overnight bag and leave the rest behond. The only 100% surity is the insect repellent and the malaria tablets. Got those and plenty of changes of undies and sock and some long sleeved garb and trousers. Have opted to leave @Mac's hiking boots vehind becausee, incredibly, the heat of the Galapagos lava walks have also taken a toll on his soles! They have come unstuck as well.
Mind you, if we had been serious in our concerns for footwear we could have bought new ones from any of the dozens of shoe shops we have encountered here in Lima. Bizarre the number of options- shoes must be a thing.
The Adventure
I feel that I need to include our laundry and banking stops as part of the adventure. Thank goodness for Google Maps and a eSim. Other than being dorky with phone out, pointing the way, we can find our way to these essentials.
As a reward for our success in the laundry (the staff very helpful and organised) we pulled up a table in Nados Caffe. As it turned out this young entrepreneur had only been open for four days and he was very hands on and personal with his attention. We enjoyed a full hour here, learning about his journey to opening his doors, loved his special coffee brew and cookies and featured in the marketing campaign he was filming. Tried on the hats, hat the obligatory photos and our polaroid instant pic now features on his customer board. He was a gem.
Back to the hotel with just 15 mins up our sleeve before @Juan arrived to pick us up for our exploration of the old town precinct. Have to be honest- not quite sure I got this. First of all, have to remember that we are in the desert here - everything is covered with a film of dust but at least the temperature is cooler and very pleasant for a stroll.
Visited the Bolivari - a prestigious hotel that still operates today and has hosted loads of famous guests including Ernest Hemingway and even the Rolling Stones. It is also the home of the first elevator in Peru and a Model T Ford. The working hotel has its foyer set up at a museum.
The walk was from San Martin square (Yes, the same One) to the Main Square. The pedestrian mall has been converted to a "tourist strip." It is a combination of restored facades and abandoned buildings and the lower floors, which in their previous life were stables have been converted to stores (every second one sold shoes!!!) which boasted bargains of every variety. Not sure how it became a "thing" but in amongst the shoes stores and alpaca sales rooms there was an abundance of Sex Shops - and once you spotted one the signs just jumped out.
@Juan took us to the public square (blocked off because of expected protests- it is election time), described the architectural remnants and wove in the history of Lima since independence. Visited the Convent and viewed the gardens, the library and the galleries and met the Saints and were privy to the preparations which are in full swing for Sunday's procession for the 87% Catholic population.
Threw in a silver sales woman and an Alpaca showroom - and walked us along the river through local stalls and live performers.
Hmm, definitely a "tourist" walk - the main goal was to sell you something - with reassurances that everything here was "much cheaper than Cusco."
Rounded out the afternoon with a drive by of an archaeological site that predates the Mayans/Incas and really much more interesting than the shops of the old town
Had spotted the Pizzeria earlier in the day and it turned out to be a great choice. We managed to squeeze in to the Happy Hpur with 10 minutes to spare and fronted up for Gin & Tonics and Pisco Sours. Declaring that i am officially done with that drink it is absolutely just too potent for me. The pizzas hit the spot and I was invited to lend a hand - not that I had a clue! A second venue for the day where we were made to feel so welcome. No roof on the venue here, dinner was enjoyed under the stars and best of all just need to cross the road to get home.
Straight from the itinerary
Today you'll visit the modern and colonial part of the city of Lima, known as The City of Kings, starting with the districts of
Miraflores and San Isidro before heading to the Historic Centre.
Once there, you'll visit the Main Square, where you can take pictures of the amazing colonial architecture that surrounds it.
Then, walk to the Chocolate Museum to have an exquisite experience with Peruvian cocoa. (definitely did NOT do this - @Juan took us to a silver shop and and alpaca demo!!)
Afterwards, you'll visit the impressive Convent of Santo Domingo, before heading back.
You'll pass through Huaca Huallamarca before reaching Miraflores, where you'll get off at Love Park to take stunning photos of the landscape of the Lima coast before returning to your hotel.
Can you believe this?
The cliffs of Lima (Costa Verde) are 80–150 meter high, eroding sedimentary walls that serve as a dramatic, paragliding-friendly backdrop to the only South American capital with a Pacific ocean view. These bulbuous, sandy bluffs separate the city from pebble beaches and are constantly carved by wind and sea, creating a unique urban-wild landscape.
Survival Barometer
Steps 16 150
Weather 27 - perfect weather!
Health malaria tablets added today ... fingers crossed for no reaction!
For Jesse - looks like capybaras must be back as a possibility
"Traffic is a bit crazy, can't look!"
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