Lima, Peru

We arrived in Lima on Thursday February 13th, 2014 and we were collected at the airport by the hotel's driver. We were staying at the Peru Star Hotel in the pleasant district of San Isidro, which is outside of the old city, in a quieter part of town. We pulled up in a residential street outside a large pair of garage doors, which unbelievably opened to a nice courtyard, reception area and small restaurant. After checking in we proceeded through to the back arriving at our petite apartment. Conveniently for us it was located on the ground floor, beside the water feature and beyond were the gardens and swimming pool.

The apartment had a small kitchen, which we only used for making tea, as breakfast was included in our stay. The breakfast was very good, with fruits, juices, coffee, tea, eggs, cheeses, ham etc. We really did not need any more to eat until dinner time.

As we had limited time in this capital city, located on the Pacific Ocean, we booked a city tour, where our first stop was the Parque del Amor, the Love Park. Parque del Amor, located in Miraflores, overlooks the Pacific Ocean and was inaugurated on Valentines Day, February 14th, 1993. On Valentines Day each year young couples participate in a competition for the Longest Kiss. Lovers also come to enjoy the sunsets. It is part of the Malecon where you can walk, ride bikes, run, etc. It also has beautiful gardens and a lovely mosaic wall. After leaving the park we made a brief stop at the adobe and clay ruins of Huaca Pucllana which served as a centre for ceremonial and administration for the advancement of the Lima culture between 200 and 700 AD and is also located in the Miraflores district. These ruins are still being excavated and reconstructed brick by brick. From here we went to the historical district passing through Plaza San Martin and stopping for a short while in Plaza de Armas where all of the government buildings, palaces and the cathedral are located. Our last stop was the beautiful Basilica of San Francisco, but unfortunately photos are not allowed inside. Lima's first cemetery, were the catacombs under this monastery. The catacombs were in use until 1808 when a new cemetery was founded outside Lima. The catacombs were only discovered in 1943 and there are an estimated 70,000 corpses here. The bones are lined up in narrow hallways with one area of several large holes in which the bones and skulls are arranged on top of each other in a circular pattern. Apparently, the catacombs ceased to be used, as water seepage over the decaying bodies polluted the city water. People were buried here so that they were closer to heaven after they were interred.

The next day we visited Miraflores, the upscale district of Lima, with lovely parks. There are many feral cats in the parks, who are fed daily by a group of volunteers. The cats are very well cared for and friendly. Small children pick them up and carry them around and they just hang like limp rag dolls, seemingly enjoying the attention. Also in Miraflores is the new open air, upscale shopping mall, Larcomar, built right into the cliffs. It is a popular destination for both international visitors and local people alike, where you can enjoy cinemas, upscale shops, restaurants and beautiful views and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Miraflores also has an amazing artisanal market, located in arcades under cover and known as the Indian Market, situated at Petit Thouars street. There are many good quality products for sale, bargaining is expected, it is safe and very colourful. Good Alpaca sweaters are available here. Miraflores is a very vibrant area with good, hotels, coffee shops and restaurants,

The next day we left for Cusco, Peru and another very different adventure.............