Lima for a day

We had quite a long delay at Pearson Airport, so it was after 2 a.m. before our heads hit the pillow in the Lima Wasi Hotel; a pleasant hotel, well located in the Miraflores area. Breakfast was provided in the rooftop restaurant and we headed out to see as much as we could cram into the day. This would be one of the few unscheduled days of the trip. Lima is a big bustling city - very confusing street configurations and we had been advised to take taxis to our destinations. But instead we set out on foot and quickly found that we were very close to the beach front where the waves crashed in on the black sand beach. Perched above the coast line, tucked into the cliffside was a contemporary shopping and entertainment centre, Lacomar. If we were in a shopping mood, this would have been perfect, great for people watching - but also a good spot for restaurants, which as it turned out was where we dined with our group in the evening.
I had quite a list of "must-do's" in Lima, but clearly we had to make a choice. We decided to go and check out the pre-Incan mud brick pyramid, Huaca Pucllana. This pyramid has only been recently excavated by archeologists (since the 1960's). To all appearances a dusty hill, it was mostly a hangout for dirt bikers, who enjoyed its peaks and valleys. And then, lo and behold, excavations expose this series of incredibly well-preserved mud brick structures, dating back abouy 2000 years.

A guided tour is included with the admission price. Here we also made aquaintance with our first llamas and alpacas. Second on my to-do list was lunch at the restaurant overlooking the pyramid. Its written up in all the guide books as the place to dine - recommended also by some friends. It was busy with large groups, clearly many of them locals, all enjoying a hearty lunch. I sampled a typical Ceviche, while Peter tucked into the tuna. Very yummy.

Now there isn't time to visit the main square, the Plaza des Armes, to see the lovely Spanish architecure, built over the Incan structures. So instead we head back to the beach front and find our way down the cliffside to walk along the beach, where we watch surfers riding the waves and hang gliders soaring above the city. it is windy, but not too cold. We head into Nautica Rosa, the beautifully situated pier restaurant. It feels cosy and decadent to be drinking cocktails and eating rich chocolate cake at sunset on the beach front of Lima. It is time for our first meeting with our Gap travelling companions. I am immediately impressed by our guide Manuel, who knows all of us by name without introductions. It takes me most of the two weeks to get the three Robs correctly identified. Seems like an okay bunch of people. Some only joined us the next morning. There are 4 of us Canadians, two from Washington State whose luggage was lost enroute, one young Aussie girl, a couple of New Yorkers and the remaining 7 are from the UK. We have a quick go-round of introductions and then its off to dinner.

Manuel takes his job of sharing the local culture and best food options with us, very seriously. This becomes apparent right away as he encourages us to try a variety of specialty dishes, all of which are delicious. This is only our second meal in Peru, but we quickly find out that food design is a huge part of most restaurants. We almost all take out cameras as the food is brought to the table.

Early start tomorrow as we head to the high altitude of Lake Titicaca.