Lima

Where does three weeks go? We are on the last leg of our trip now. 90 minute flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima and a white-knuckle taxi ride from the airport to our apartment. Cars drive fast and with very little regard for anything in their way, be it bus, bin lorry, car, motorbike or pedestrian. We are staying in Miraflores, a suburb of the city that is lively and full of bars and restaurants. Being in this loud busy city was a culture shock after the jungle.

The only advantage of being over 60 is that younger people stand up on a bus to let you sit down. At first I gratefully refused but i soon learned to gratefully accept. Also incidentally can use special assistance aisle at airport checkin and boarding. 😂

Our next day we thought we would explore the centre of the city. We travelled there by bus, which was very crowded. We had found a city walk in the Lonely Planet guide book and this took us around most of the important and impressive buildings in the centre. It started from the Plaza San Martin.

Beautiful buildings, including the Hotel Bolivar which claims to have hosted the likes of Clark Gable and Mick Jagger in the past. Also the Pasteleria San Martin which was famous for this particular cake. Not impressed.

Our walk took us past Inglesia de la Merced, built in 1541 and where the first Mass in Lima was said. The altars inside were so impressive.

We passed through Plaza de Armas and on past the Monasterio de San Francisco and finally to Chinatown and the market. Huerta Chunin is a small eatery in the market. The lady who cooked the reis estifado (beef stew) and mongondsito was born in peru but her dad was from Japan and came in 1920's.

Trips as usual are made not only by paces but also by emotions and people we meet and their stories.

We cooked at home in the evening but we did go out for a little while and we had our first Pisco Sour.