Lovely Lima

So we arrived in Peru excited for our forthcoming trek to Machu Picchu but with low expectations for Lima, its capital city. Everyone we had met who had been there before us told us there wasn´t much to see or do.

So the bar was set low and we decided to only spend a weekend in the city. Perhaps it was because we didn´t expect much or maybe because we were only there for two days, but we loved Lima.

Day one was spent walking around Miraflores, the upmarket part of the city where we were staying. While it is very commercial with McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut on every corner it has a great vibe, is right next to the beach and has some cool and unique things to see like El Parque del Amour with ´the kissing  statue´overlooking the Pacific Ocean.


We decided that the most important thing to do here was to continue our surfing training and set about going out for a few hours on Miraflores beginners beach. We hired our boards and suits at the beach - only S25 each (about 7 pounds). The surf was pretty good and we managed to catch some waves - Mike more than I. After a couple of hours I was exhausted so got out to relax on the beach - only to tread on a sea urchin on the way out - just what I needed before a 5 day trek to Machu Picchu. Some DIY surgery got most of the spikes out though and as reward for my trauma, Mike agreed to take me out for a posh dinner.

We had spotted a restaurant on Miraflores pier when we were surfing and so chose this as our venue for dinner. After getting all dressed up in our only ´smartish´ clothes we have and putting make up on for the first time in a month (me not mike) we headed out.

 

The restaurant and bar were very cool,  old school colonial where you could imagine wealthy ex-pats relaxing over a cocktail. `When in Rome...´so we ordered ourselves some Kir Royals - very extravagant for backpackers (Beccy - I was channeling our Cafe Rouge days and knew you would be pleased.) We were also celebrating as had just been told the fab news that our friends Emma and Rob had got engaged. Anyway the meal was lovely and we felt decadent on our night of extravagance. 

The next day was our last so after a long walk along the sea front, dreaming of a home-cooked roast dinner (it was a Sunday). It seemed we had managed to be in Lima for a festival - both religous and sporting. During our walk around Miraflores and Barranco the streets were closed off to traffic all morning and people took to the streets to take part in communal salsa, zumba, cycling, skateboarding and rollerblading events which was very cool.

After lunch we headed to Downtown Lima to see all the main sites. As it was Sunday there was a pilgrimage to the Cathedral and the church and convent of San Fransisco. This was amazing to see - queues of people lined up to give thanks to their saint with their offering of flowers overflowing inside the church.

 

We dedided to do a tour of the convent and catacombs - which was really interesting and well worth doing. 

As evening approached we headed to Parque de La Reserva to catch the Magic Water Circuit. Basically a series of water fountains that are lit up imaginatively, culminating in a very impressive light and audio show at the largest water fountain, this attraction is a must see. Words can´t do it justice so hopefully the photo below can. (ps Paddy the teapot fountain one is for you!)