Peru day 2

Today we had breakfast in the hotel restaurant and it was much better!  We also made a hotel change which I am glad.  While the hotel we were staying at was really nice, our room had a moldy smell which does not do well for two allergy suffers.  I knew our new hotel would not be ready but needed to drop our bags so we could meet our tour guide from Peruvian Local Friend.  Today we embarked on an 8 hour tour . . . thankfully it did not start until 12:30 and it was just us, guide (Mariela), and driver (Arturo).  A little tidbit of Lima . . . it has 43 districts in the city.  We are staying in Miraflores (where a lot of tourist stay) which is nice and busy.  Our first stop was to the Barranco district.  We stopped at the old Ermita which we learned is haunted and no longer is use which is too bad because it is beautiful . . .

The bright yellow front is just a facade . . . look towards the back where you can see it falling apart.  Here's a better picture . . .

We drive up and stop at a viewpoint where there is also the Peru version of Christ the Redeemer statue . . .

It was silly but we did have a nice view of the city of Lima . . .

Back in the car for about a 45 minute drive out of the city to Pachacamac.  The temple of Pachacamac is an archaeological site in the Valley of the Lurin River.  Most of the common buildings and temples were built between 800-1450 shortly before the arrival and conquest by the Inca Empire.  Looking down the original road . . .

 Going in to the Temple of the Sun . . . you can see some of the original red paint . . .

 . . . there were many groups of workers doing repairs . . . you can see the new and old bricks . . .

It was warm, dry, and dusty outside but really glad we visited.  We sure did get our workout climbing to the top but the views were worth it.

The walk down was harder than the walk up, but we made it!

A view from the bottom where we just climbed . . .

The traffic in Peru is constant.  There is always friendly honking and while it seems chaotic to me they seem to know where to go and when.  I have yet to see an accident with cars and people.  We only stopped at one official museum today, Museo Larco.  It had great reviews and a 'must not miss' everywhere I read so we went.  It was really nice and without Mariela we would have learned nothing.  Having a guide really does help . . . she knew the highlights and the must see areas.

We skipped the erotic art display . . . was worried too many question would come my way!  By this point we are hungry.  We can't seem to get down the eating schedule and sleep schedule.  Since we had a local guide we stopped at a small local place called Antigua Taberna Queirolo.  Colin devoured a ham sandwich, and I had a tamale with pollo with a side of marinated onions . . .

Both were so yummy especially those onions!  I paid for lunch for all three of us and it was only 40 soles or about $12 plus we had drinks too!  I was amazed at how inexpensive the meal cost and did not see one single tourist there either so that was good too.  Our final stop of our day was Parque de la Reserva or Fountain Park.  We had 1 hour 25 minutes until the show with lasers, music, holograms, and of course fountains.  We walked around the park looking at all 13 fountains.  Colin was trying to not get wet . . .

. . . but wanted me to get wet . . .

My favorites . . .

It was nice to chat with Mariela about the local community and Peru.  She told me she had to study for two years at university to be a tour guide; guess that explains why she knows so much about Lima and the history of Peru.  I was shocked that a teacher makes about 1,000 soles per month which is only about $350 per month. We talked about social issues, corrupt government, weather (it hardly ever rains in Lima), crime, and family. Another thing that I mentioned to her was I have not seen one single person smoking in two days!  We also have only noticed a couple homeless people.  She said the people are taught to work hard, don't be lazy, and family takes care of you if you need help.  It was show time so we positioned ourselves right in front of the main fountain.  The show was good and then it was over.  Loved this photo of us . . .

We headed back to the car and Arturo managed to detour to avoid all the crazy traffic.  The one thing that is always certain is traffic in Lima is awful!  We arrive back at hotel and managed to check in and grab free dinner at the executive lounge.  Shockingly enough Colin at pork stew,  Who is this kid?  Or he must really be hungry.