Lima, Peru August 26 and 27, 2023

Lima, Peru was a new city and a new country for us! About 32 million people reside in Peru and and Third of them live in Lima and the surrounding areas. Lima is actually made up of 43 different “cities”. It was very cosmopolitan and also contains thousands of years of history. We took another 2 tours with toursbylocals and our guide was Alfredo. He was excellent and we took a walking tour through the pyramid/Lima temple and the olive groves. We had a great day. However, the rub was that we couldn’t go back to the ship in between tours as the port was an hour’s drive each way. So we finished our first tour at 1pm and then had lunch. We then walked the city, saw an art show and a church and did some shopping at the Larcomar Mall. A mall built into a cliff. Then Alfredo picked us up again at 5:30 for our evening tour.

During the evening, we traveled up to the National Reserve and the tomb of the unknown soldier. We then saw the fountains and light show at the park. Next we went to an “authentic Peruvian dinner, with dances and a horse show”. I knew it would be touristy but sometimes you just have to be a tourist! It actually was great fun and the dancing was amazing. At 10pm, we then went back to the park to catch the shuttle bus to the ship. We had to wait for 45 minutes. It was so cold! I got back to the cabin and took a shower just to warm up. After a 16 hour day we were exhausted. Yesterday we bought magnets at one of the stalls outside the ship and visited the hot tub! It sure helps our aching bones.

We are now in Pisco, Peru. Today we’re getting on a small plane (gulp) and flying over the Nasza lines. More about that later. Here are pictures from Lima!

At the fountains.

Paddington Bear was from Peru!

The Lima temple/ pyramid. The adobe bricks were made by hand and stacked vertically to prevent the collapse of the temple during an earthquake.

The temple wasn’t excavated until the 1920’s. It used to be 7 times bigger but people built homes over it!

A smaller Christ the Redeemer

This olive tree was planted in 1580 by the Spaniards. Hundred of trees here. Olives everywhere. Did you know that if you don’t pick the olives, over time they poison the tree?

They still press the olives and make oil.

I think there were 13 fountains. We walked by them all, saw a great light show. We even actually walked through one. I didn’t get too wet!

We walked through this one.

Peruvian tamales are not like Mexican tamales. 2 beans and one bite of meat. They’re usually eaten for breakfast and the masa was delicious.

I forgot to include this in the temple pictures. After the temple was abandoned it was used as a burial chamber. The main person, was given a head made of canvas. What looks like bags are the children.

The horses were well trained, the dancing was excellent.

Break dancing, Peruvian style.

Kids in the park getting pictures taken.

Schnauzer alert. We still miss Kelly! one thing I’ve learned from traveling, people are basically the same everywhere. They love their kids, they walk their dogs and they’re just trying to do the best they can to survive in this world!