Lima, Peru

We arrived in Lima, Peru after a 4 hour flight from Columbia and on the drive in from the airport were surprised by the city, it was so busy it reminded us of India. Lima is the capital of Peru with a little over 10 million people and they all seemed to be on the street! 

We stayed outside the Center in a neighbourhood called Barannco which is known as an up and coming artistic area. We had a lovely apartment and decided to stay a little longer than usual as we were both tired, sometimes we wonder if we are still up for this on the go type of travel? But a good rest is always helpful.

The architecture in this area reminded us of Merida, Mexico so I am thinking it was built during the same colonial period...

We spent our days relaxing, doing a little walking and enjoying the many cafes and restaurants in the area...

This busy canta provided us with our first taste of causa, a very traditional Peruvian dish made up of stacked yellow potato layered with avocado and some type of protein. For Newfoundlanders it tasted like yellow mustard salad we ate on Sundays!

And then there was the ceviche, this one with grilled pulpo on top!

The dishwashers are very young here though...

The cafes were awesome and the lattes cheap!

Another favourite was freshly squeezed lime juice!

Being a hip area there were many great places to stop...

Every day we stopped in one of the oldest bars of the city for a “ chop “ which is what they call their draft beer. Always a friendly smile from the bartender and the regulars....

Oh and then there was Happy Hour to try out the Pisco Sour which is another national drink, it was tasty...

We did more than eat and drink as we walked almost every day but spent a lot of time in the main plaza just people watching...

Always something going on...

Also lots of street art...

Speaking of art we went to the Museum for Contemporary Art which was in the neighbourhood, even though the installations were written in English we still didn’t get most of the pieces!

The building was lovely though...

We did take the bus into the Centro area and did a walking tour. Their main plaza is quite large and beautiful...

While we were waiting to start the tour we visited the Cathedral which is also on the Plaza Mayor it was quite grand inside. Construction began in 1535, and the building has undergone many reconstructions and transformations, however it still retains its colonial structure and facade. 

Here is Don exploring the underground tunnels where ancient bodies are buried...

The altars were magnificent...

The outside view...

The Centro area has lots of nice pedestrian streets...

This lady was dancing for her supper so of course we gave her a tip!

Lima was established in 1535 on the banks of the Rimec river which still flows by today...

It is located in a valley with desert like conditions all around it and even though there is lots of water running from the mountains it is not drinkable. 

We passed by the Royal Palace at the changing of the guards...

There is a big brass band and quite a show...

Lots of churches...

Beautiful architecture...

On the outskirts of the city Lima sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean...

We walked down from the top to the water and could not believe how dirty it was! And the place was filled with people enjoying the day as it is still summer holidays here.

This real estate must be expensive...

Speaking of expensive...Miraflores, a neighbourhood in walking distance is one of the most exclusive in the city. Quite fancy homes, new and older...

This one is right on the cliff and they all have the coastline blocked off for private use.

A well kept older home...

We walked to Larcomar which is a really high end mall built into the cliff...

The view below...

Finally some scenes from our walks around the neighbourhood...

Lots of old VWs...

Colourful alleyways...

Shaded courtyards...

Graffiti sections...

Gorgeous flowers growing everywhere...

And for sale...

And finally more food...

We thoroughly enjoyed our time here but are now ready to move further south to the Andes region of the country. We are not looking forward to altitude sickness!