Peru: Lima

(Post by Colin)

Hi folks,

As you know we are in New Zealand now and you should start to see a good few catch up blog posts over the next 2 weeks.  Starting with the first post for Peru.

Our starting point for Peru was Lima.  Lima is the capital and the largest city in Peru. We had a pick up from the airport straight to our  Hostal in the Barranco district ..

Barranco Sign

On the way we drove along the beautiful coast line .  Lima is a coastal city and as it was winter much of the time we were there its was  a little foggy...

Lima Coastline, Mira Flores

Barranco is an area a little off the main tourist drag  of Mira Flores but a close walk. It is considered a bit more bohemian  than the main tourist area  Mira Flores.   We stayed in a very average Hostal called Aquisito.    The first room they showed us here was literally the size of the  double bed... and did not look so clean. It was also right near the breakfast area and we knew that that would not be a good idea !   We asked to see more rooms and we found a reasonable one.  Whilst we were checking in - I read an open email on the proprietors screen - it was in English and from a couple writing about a robbery from their room that had taken place whilst on the premises.  Oh dear..  I made sure everything was well and truly secured before we went out for dinner that night !

Barranco

But with that start - Lima turned out to be a very safe feeling city.  Mira Flores, Barranco and the historical centre felt very safe. In fact the whole city felt more like a European city than a South American one in many ways. People seemed fairly well to do here and there was far less obvious poverty. Certainly a whole different ball game to Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador..

In Barranco we had our first taste of Peruvian graffiti and street art

The next day we headed into the historical centre and had a wander around looking at the Plaza de las armas  ( the main square) and a few of the many many  churches...

Plaza de las armas

Church

Plaza de las armas

Street in old town

Many of the churches  have  relics in them , like the bones of a saint or  a bit of cloth from the clothing of a saint etc.  Many miracles have been attributed to the skull in the below picture..

We did a tour of  San Francisco Cathedral and Catacombs. We were not allowed to take any photos.   This was were all of the priests used to be buried. The bones are arranged in artistic ways with skulls here and there - although I did learn that they have only been put like that since the 1950's.  I guess to make it a more interesting tourist attraction..

Peru has a reputation for the quality of its cuisine and so we were keen to try it out..  We had one of our best meals here in a little place in the old town for  15 nuevo soles. ( £3.50)   3 courses and a drink.  It was  delicious.  In Lima you could spend a tiny amount all the way up to more or less the same as in London for a meal. 

Blue corn

We also got our first taste of the Pisco Sour ,  the first of many and a taste that I think we may have now for the rest if our lives.   Pisco is a grape brandy similar to Grappa ..  If you can find some Pisco somewhere have a go at making this as it is delicious !!

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces pisco
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce key lime juice
• 1 egg white
• Angostura bitters (2-3 dashes)
• Ice cubes

Preparation:

1. Mix the pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice to fill, and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into an old-fashioned glass, and sprinkle the Angostura bitters on top of the foam.
4. Serve immediately.

Pisco Sours

One other place we went was to the shopping centre in Miraflores. This is built into the cliff and it seems that the Peruvians are rather proud of it !  Great views for sure..  although prices are similar to being in a London shopping centre..

There was a lot we could do in Lima and surroundings but we had limited time in Peru and so we did not want to spend too much time in the city.  We also knew that we would be coming back to Lima before we left and so would have a bit more time to explore.   Both Kizzy and I liked Lima and felt that it would be a cool city to spend more time in.

One more thing to mention. Healthwise so far on the trip all has been well. However Peru proved the end of that run for me  As soon as we arrived in Lima I began to feel progressively unwell - runny nose, chesty cough etc etc..

First impressions of Peru -  It seemed more European, more  affluent,  less chaotic...  Onwards to the Sacred Valley !

You can view the Lima album here.

Lots of Love,

Colin & Kizzy