Lima

Sunset on flight into Lima

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I arrived in Lima late at night, so caught a cab straight from the airport to my hostel, Home Peru. Later on I was chatting to two backpackers who had taken an unofficial airport taxi into town & been robbed of $250 dollars in the process, so was very grateful I'd gone for an official taxi which only cost me $12 in any case (for the 45 minute ride). Better safe than sorry. Upon arrival at my hostel I discovered that they'd made an error with my booking, so instead of being in my own room with ensuite bathroom, I ended up in an 8-bed mixed dorm (without bathroom!!). Fortunately there was a nice lass already in the room who I spent the evening chilling with.

The following day I was able to move rooms which was a bonus. Still no bathroom, but at least a bit of space to myself. I hate to admit it, but I think I'm finally getting too old to do the dorm room backpacking malarky :o)  Anyway, having moved my gear over I headed out to explore Miraflores - the district of Lima in which I was staying. Miraflores is one of the nicest parts of Lima, & is on the coast. I spent the day pottering around the local Indian markets, supping very tasty iced coffees in a chain of cafes cunningly called Cafe Cafe, wandering along the coastal path & stopping off for a snack (some tap) in a clifftop restaurant en route - watching paragliders making the most of the breeze.

Miraflores (coastal suburb of Lima)

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The next morning I checked out of the hostel & moved to the hotel assigned to me as the first night of my next GAP trip. Upon arrival I met up with Lucy (who I'd said goodbye to in Quito just a couple of days ago) as well as a couple of the others who were to be in our tour group for the next 3 weeks - Phil from the UK & Rod from Aus. Along with another lass who Lucy had met at brekkie (Zoe) we headed out for the day to explore Lima city centre. I'd saved this for today since a number of people had warned me not to wander the streets of Lima alone.

We took a taxi to Plaza de Armas (the main square in the city centre) where we had a quick gander around the Cathedral before heading back out to the square to watch the Changing of the Guard outside the Government Palace. The police obviously expected trouble/missiles to be thrown through the bars at the guards, because we were only allowed to watch it from across the street & not from the pavement actually beside the palace!!! Very bizarre indeedy. Even more bizarre, there was a dog wandering around with a pair of glasses & cap on his head. Once we'd had enough of the display we headed across the square in search of a coffee.

Plaza de Armas, Lima city centre

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Next we headed onto Plaza San Martin where there is a bronze statue of liberator General San Martin, plus a statue of Madre Patria (the symbolic mother of Peru) who, due to a  misunderstanding,  has a little llama on her head instead of a crown of flames - the word "flame" in Spanish is llama! From there it was on to the National Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology which detailed the history of the ancient cultures of Peru. It was quite hard-going & I fell asleep half way round, but there were some beautiful ceramics on display! Such a heathen, I am.

Back in Miraflores we relaxed with another iced coffee before heading back to the hotel, ready for our welcome meeting with Roberto (our guide for the next 3 weeks). We also met the rest of the clan - Scott & Claire, D & Bob, & Janice (all from Aus), Cara & Ian (Irish) & Cass (English). We were given a briefing on our upcoming trip whilst sipping our first free Pisco Sours (many more to come!) - made from pisco brandy, lime/lemon juice, sugar/syrup & egg white. It was a very strong drink & brought me out in quite a hot flush - very embarassing - ha ha!

Monument in honor of general Jos de San Martin, in San Martin Plaza

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After the meeting we all headed out for dinner together & then to a bar for some drinks. Phil had to go back to a bar in search of his genuine Rolex watch which he'd swapped with the barman's fake Rolex the previous night. We didn't feel at all hopeful for him, so were pleasantly surprised when he returned an hour or so later sporting the genuine article. I assume the barman had no idea how much it cost (he probably thought it was as fake as his), otherwise I'm not convinced he'd have been so happy to hand it back!

We had one more morning in Lima before heading off to explore the rest of Peru. A few of us spent most of the morning shopping in the Indian markets. I bought a very practical & useful Peruvian Nativity Scene (don't ask) that is now weighing down my backpack somewhat.