Peru, 2011

February 24, Lima, Peru

Slow start but still out of hotel by about 10 am.  Went for a walk along beach for about 3 hours.  Walked through some very nice neighbourhoods.  This area is the more affluent part of Lima.

To get to the beach you have to go down a huge cliff, guessing about 100 meters.  Walk down the road, and hope there is an elevator up!  The cliff is made of dirt and rounded river rocks.  Very interesting.  

The beach has big waves and there are many surfers but not many people in the water swimming.  They have also covered the beach with rocks, guessing to protect the sand.

Well no elevator, so found some stairs to go up!  Not so bad.  

Ended up at the Love Park, and the Kissing statute.  Walked along the top of cliff to Larcomar mall.  This mall has a huge open area that overlooks the ocean.  Very nice even for a mall.

Stopped for coffee for a while and then headed back to hotel.  Another very quiet night!

February 23, Lima, Peru

Had a lazy morning, but still up very early.

Had to change hotels this morning.  The new hotel is about a 30 minute walk from JFK square.  Got settled and then back to the square.  Caught the city tour to main square.  The buildings in the old part of the city are very nice.  Most built in 1600 and 1700 with some much newer.   The square is busy with people.  Apparently they are getting ready for the festival that starts in a few days.  Government house had a band playing, with many people dressed in costumes.  Looked great.  The tour included a visit to a 'museum', which really turned out to be the main church of the downtown area.  Stayed a while but then left and wandered around the square.  Walked over the bridge to have a look and then back to square.  

Got back to the starting point and decided to catch the night tour.  Well it covered most of the same areas but this tour spent more time at the Magic Water show.  Many fountains lit up, and one big one with a light and laser show.  Very well done.  This water park is in Guiness as the largest.  Met a young guy on bus that works at a museum who took it upon himself to look after us in the park.  He was very nice.  Again, he is working on a tourism degree!  This tour also had a stop for tea and snack at Sheraton Hotel.  Nice, but not sure why.

Back to hotel.