February 7, 2013 Lima, Peru ship departs 1:00 P.M.

Today we had a tour that I booked with Monica’s Tours to see Barranco and Pachacamac Ruins.  www.monicatoursperu.com

Monica is a warm and charming woman. Our guide today was Nieves and our driver was Jorge. Monica was along to assist and she changed our dollars for Nuevo Sol that we needed for admission and drinks. Highly recommend her services.

Barranco is a pleasant suburb of Lima that has kept its character much better than most of the city, and is the bohemian heart of the city. Situated on the seafront, the area has the feel of a small town, separate from Lima. During the day, Barranco is a relaxed, tranquil place but is better known for its’ vibrant nightlife. 

 Monica

 

Pachamac was the biggest ceremonial center on the Peruvian coast dedicated to the god Pachacamac. Vestiges of temples and Pre-Inca and Inca buildings can be seen that were built entirely with small adobe brick blocks. The Inca part of the complex is the best-conserved section. The site has palaces, squares and temples and a site museum that keeps the wooden statues of the creative God, “Pachacamac.” The highlight was the Temple of the Sun. (and the refreshing Inca Colas and local beer) 

 

We were joined today by Marianne, Pauline & Jeff, Christina & William, Hugh & Nancy, Fred & Kathleen and Andrew. (Sue was sick and was unable to join us) 

Our day could have gone smoother, but we got a late start due to some confusion for some on what time to meet. Then on our drive back to port we hit bad traffic and a broken down bus that had traffic backed up and we barely made the ship. We were an hour later than projected to get back (which was to be a half an hour before all aboard and an hour before we set sail) and we were sure glad to see the ship still docked. There was one other van behind us, so we weren’t the only slow pokes. Yikes, that was close! Monica had the driver bring us into the port and made sure the shuttles were still there to take us to the ship. We should have been left outside the port to come in through immigration, but that saved a lot of time not having to do that.  

Monica gave us all a gift at the end of the tour. An adorable  pottery piece of an Indian woman. Back on board now and a beautiful sail away with many little fishing boats and the huge rock formation island that used to house a prison. (like Alcatraz) We also spotted many huge brown jellyfish in the water. Don’t know what kind they are…we will need to research that. 

 

 

Security at the port was pretty strict. We had forms to carry that the ship filled out and we had to pass though the security and explain we were with an organized tour and weren’t walking on our own. The port area isn’t all that safe and they really try to make sure everyone is safe. Then, you walk through a metal detector and they wanded some people. Coming back at night we had to show the same forms and photo ID. All tourist areas are well policed.  

Now for 4 sea days before Easter Island. We have lots of pictures to get caught up on. (and some sleep)