Peru day 11

Today is the last day of our trip . . . at least we have the entire day before we fly home on the red-eye.  While in Cuscso we stayed at the Palacio del Inka which was beautiful and really nice . . . as you entered the check in/front desk area . . .

. . . and the view from our room.  While it isn't spectacular it was much prettier at night with all the lights . . .

We did not leave the hotel until 8:30am.  It took 10 minutes to drive to the airport, 5 minutes to clear security, and our flight boarded at 9:00am.  Can you imagine trying to arrive that late for a flight in the US?  The flight to Lima was easy and just as beautiful . . . I did not have a window seat but Colin and I were seated together.

It is Sunday and the center of Lima is full of people.  As we arrive the Changing of the Guards is starting.  It is a lot different from the one we attended last week as there are horse mounted guards all over the place.

It is very festive and lively.  We only stay for a few minutes and then move on to our lunch location.  We are welcomed inside of the Casa Aliaga and quickly met with a tray of drinks and hors d'oeuvres.  The drink tray had about a dozen drinks and I pointed to one asking what it was . . . all I heard was a local drink that taste like Bailey's; sold!  It was strong so quickly ate some hors d' oeuvres.  Casa del Aliaga is the oldest colonial mansion in Lima.  The carved 'A' on the wooden door is amazing . . .

The house has been owned and lived in by the Aliaga family and their descendants since around 1535.  It was very nice.  Before we could explore the casa and eat, we had some local musicians and dancers perform for us . . .

 

While the mask were a tad scary it was fun to watch them.  We were then shown to the dining room . . .

. . .  where we had an amazing meal!  The food was so yummy.  We were given time to roam the casa which is where this family lives . . . sort of weird as there are family pictures all around and we are just walking around . . .

I can't imagine what this must have cost.  It was back on the bus . . . but wait there's more . . . we placed Jeopardy on the way back to the hotel because the traffic was awful!  I was on team Cuy and we lost to team Inca Kola.  It was fun to see how much we remembered from the trip . . . we lost on the bonus question but had fun.  We arrived back at the JW Marriott Lima and the tour is officially over but we are provided with a  hotel room for the night.  Most families were staying an extra day but we are flying out at 11:30pm.  We said good-bye to our guides . . .

. . . and head out for one last churro . . .

. . . and back to the room to relax, shower, and change clothes before heading to the airport.  We are on our own now.  When the taxi pulled up to the airport we are back to reality and hauling our own luggage to check in.  It was a great 11 days.