LIMA, PERU ( 2 DAYS)

World Tour of 2013

With Brigit and Sophia (Sonya) 

Lima Peru, February 6 & 7

Bidding Ecuador farewell we set sail for 1 day on the Gulf of Guayaquil to Peru.  While on board our ship we become acquainted with fellow passengers and crew, eat more than we'd like to admit and generally relax.

Lima, Peru's capital city and the fifth largest city in Latin America, is widely considered to be one of its most beautiful.  Sit back and relax as you join us with the ever-changing panorama of city sights that take you back in time to the days of the Spanish conquistadors, Colonial heritage and the vivid modern-day scene.

Day 1 February 6, 2013:

We get a glimpse of that era during a visit to Plaza Mayor, a UNESCO World Heritage site.   The founding destination of the Historic Center of Lima, the Plaza Mayor, is lined with some of the city's most important buildings, including the Government Palace, City Hall, Archbishop's Palace and Cathedral of Lima.

Cathedral of Lima (construction began 1535)

 Inside the Cathedral of Lima we marvel at the Churriguerra altars and beautifully carved wooden choir stalls

Final resting place of Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire (1531-1533)

 

 Plaza Mayor

 Lima, known as the "city of demonstrations" as shown the day we arrive the Plaza Mayor.  Luckily we were spared the demonstration of 300-500 nude cyclists which took to the streets March 2012

Leaving Plaza Mayor we then visit the historic San Francisco Monastery, originally constructed in the 17th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Peru's most cherished, with an impressive convent library of centuries-old texts, eerie display of subterranean catacombs and religious artwork.  It is said that 70,000 people have been buried here.

San Francisco Monastery

 The San Francisco Monastery possesses about 25,000 antique texts, some of them predating the conquest

  Lima's first cemetery were the the catacombs filled with bones and skulls arranged in circular patterns

 On going restoration of the San Francisco Monastery

Next we have a refreshment stop in the heart of Miraflores at Casa Garcia Alvarado, a historical gem.  Constructed in 1912 it provides a glimpse of how life was lived by the Peruvian elite.  It was in the early 1900's that the upper class began to build luxury homes in Miraflores, one of the first residential districts to be established outside the downtown district.  Built of adobe, decorated with wood on the facade, and containing large inner courtyards, they became the new haven for Peru's most notable families.  

Casa Garcia Alvarado is a piece of "living history" with one of the great Peruvian families living there.  We are graciously greeted by its owners, Mr. Genaro Castro Iglesias and his beloved wife, Aurora Thorndike. The grand tour consists of the entrance hall, the grand salon, the music room, dining room and onto the terrace and gardens.  Music plays, house servants pass trays of delicious hors d'oeuvres and Pisco Sour beverages.  Yum - O!  
A good time was had by all.

Being good ambassadors of the United States we present Mrs. Thorndike with a gift upon leaving which she most appreciates.

 Casa Garcia Alvarado

 Presenting Mrs. Thorndike with a gift from the United States

Crystal diamond heart we are giving to special people we encounter 
around the world 

Our adventure continues to the nearby Parque del Amor (Lover's Park), a perfect spot to celebrate the romanticism of love.  We wander through the gardens, gaze at the sculptures, read the romantic quotes scripted in mosaic tiles and take in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean from the towering cliffs of Chorillos.

 El Beso ("The Kiss") by Victor Delfin

 Beautiful flower gardens in Parque del Amor

 Love poetry written on tile mosaics

Beautiful coast near Parque del Amor

Later in the evening we re-join our motor coach driver for the scenic trip back through the elegant residential neighborhoods as well as the shanty districts of Lima to where our ship waits us in Callao.  We reflect on a day filled with intriguing sights and friendly people in the vibrant city of Lima, the capital and largest city in the vibrant country of Peru.

Day 2 February 7, 2013:
We're off to shop the Indian Market where the excellence of Peruvian artistry is on display and bit of retail therapy is had.  We pore over the colorful weaving with bold geometric patterns, stone sculptures, wood carvings, clay pots and stunning gold and silver jewelry.  We picked up several stunning pieces of jewelry before returning to the pier.

Indian Market

Beautiful Inca style jewelry

We re board our floating home-away-from-home and set sail across the calm South Pacific Ocean for 4 days at sea to Easter Island, Chile.  We talk about a return trip someday to Peru to one of the most well-known archaeological wonders of the world, Machu Picchu which holds plenty of secrets of Peru's ancient glory of the Incas and the Norte Chico civilization before the Spanish colonial rule.  A must-see destination.

 

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Lots of love to you all and best wishes for a Happy Chinese New Year - February 10th!
Talk to you soon.  Love, Brigit and Sophia

*****