Explorers Inn Lima

... famous but disgusting Peruvian hairless dogs, apparently famous for helping keep arthritis sufferers warm!

In the afternoon we did a self-guided city tour. The city was founded by Francisco Pizarro (the Spanish explorer and conquistador who defeated the Incas) in 1534 so there is lots of Spanish colonial architecture, particularly around Plaza de Armas. We wandered around taking photos and grabbed a bite of lunch from one of the pollerias – they make excellent ...

... a few hours in Lima, got a taci to the trusty "Plaza de Armas" which every city has... we found somewhere to eat and drink... wandered around a local food market... went to the S.S.H.H (the public loo`s...!) and wasted some time in an internet cafe... there was the weekly sunday special parade through teh streets of the plaza, but this time the militarty were throwing their guns up and ...

... Cocktail skills as we were shown how to make the traditional drink of Pisco Sour that I love. Recipe below but you need to find some Pisco (if you do please let me know where we can get it.

Off to lunch and our guide had selected a traditional Peruvian restaurant, Aromas Peruannos, which had a range of the Creole and Peruvian dishes made with the ingredients we had been introduced to at the market. Our appreciation of Peruvian food had increased.

Lima, Peru prieststrip

At the Lima airport, our guide met us outside of baggage claim. We were relieved that he was there after our experience in Cusco. We had 7 ½ hours before check-in for our international flight and an itinerary that promised to give us a flavor for Lima yet also be relaxing. Since it was Sunday, we also had the pleasure of his wife's company ...

Thursday morning 8am....
One last call to Mon cheri and I am jumping in a taxi to CDG airport!!
Check in went smoothly and we were given very good seats at emergency exit doors,
Champagne gets served very easily and stewarts start to like the 3 celebrating frenchy!!!
We have a quick lunch and get offered somemore champagne with the staff at the plane bar!!!
By 4pm, we are in a veeeery happy mood and ...

... with a llama on top of her head instead. Most amusing but only briefly, so we needed to find something else to do to get through the day here. At that point the answer became clear as I could see a KFC, the first western food since home, and started to steer Steve towards a family size bucket. In fairness to him he put up quite a protest about it but I reminded him he owed me one for returning his sight, following the episode in the desert, and we agreed ...

Weather is dry but a bit chilly - we are wearing all of our layers at once and the bed in the hostel has loads of blankets on - we think this is to keep the bed bugs warm! only joking it is a lovely place really central in Miraflores , the people are really nice and friendly and the food is really nice as long as you dont ask what it is.......

The hostel is in the seaside bit of Lima, Miraflores and lots of ...

... a picture and, of course, we obliged.

Thursday, April 23, 2009
We were told to be at the airport EARLY-like 2 hours early. Not so as there wasn't even an agent at the Taca desk for an hour after we got there! So much for sleep. We also found out that a departure tax is charged every time you fly here, not only when you leave the country. When we landed in Cuzco, we were met by our guide, Percy Salas ...

... horrible little bite on his left arm...boo hoo. She is a beautiful little wild fairy and her mom is a great lady, we wish them both the best. Soon after we went to meet Paola, her friend Marco and little Killa, together we went to a Theater festival far in the outskirts of Lima. There were various acts and talents some cultural, realist and some ...

... of the ruins to completing an epic 12-hour day at Machupicchu, in which i managed to be the first one on top of famed Huaynupicchu (The Nose of the head that sits behind the ruins in most people's photographs of Machupicchu). We hiked all the ruins, some of which we had all to ourselves. It was a great day; one to be cherished to be sure. We visited Otayallantambo, a smaller, lesser-known ruin on the way back to Cusco and then spent a few days in Cusco catching up on ...