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We arrived in Lima and after leaving the airport we immediately felt the difference between high altitude and sea level.....ahhhh how wonderful it felt to be able to fill your lungs completely with thick air without getting a headache and feeling like you've run a marathon. And having that sea level right beside us was an added bonus. We stayed in an area of the city called Miraflores which sat on the coast of Peru, and our hotel was a 15 minute walk from those towering, vertical cliffs that treated us to beautiful sparkling views of the Pacific Ocean that Lex and I haven't seen for 5 months.
We checked into our amazing hotel and got settled, which wasn't difficult considering Mum and Dad had once again spoiled us with luxury that unfortuntely we were staring to get used to. So....with Dad and Lex headed off to get aquainted with the bar, Mum and I relaxed a little in her room chating, reminiscing and feeling grateful for the experiences we'd all shared together on this trip.
The next day, we enjoyed the hotels awesome buffet breakfast and once organised headed out to explore the streets of Miraflores, Lima. Deciding that I needed new clothes we all headed to the mall which was built on top of the cliffs that looked over the ocean and after an hour or so of buying absolutely nothing decided to grab a bite to eat. We then headed off in persuit of the Indian Markets with our trusty guide Steve....the Guide of Lima! Well, after a few ummmms and ahhhhs, Dad lead us to our destination and we once again enjoyed the Peruvian markets, although not much was purchased it was still an experience.
That afternoon, we enjoyed the facilities of the hotel and chilled by the pool, enjoyed a couple of drinks, treated our bodies to an almost too hot sauna and headed back to our rooms to get ready for dinner. After finally finding our way to a restaurant we'd spotted earlier on in the day we all enjoyed a tasty dinner and an equally tasty bottle of Chardy. Feeling weary, we headed back to the hotel and called it a night.
After a well earned sleep, we once again enjoyed breaky and after chatting to the concierge organised Dad and Lex into a paragliding session. That day was beautiful with clear skies, a warm sun and perfect winds to enjoy a Peruvian paraglide. This wasn't the case at the start of the day but the Inka Gods and Paccha Mumma showed mercy and treated Dad and Lex to incredible views and a memorable afternoon. Mum and I were also treated that afternoon. While the boys were enjoying the breeze of Lima, we enjoyed the pampering of Lima.....and for next to nothing we both relished in a manicure and pedicure package that exceeded all expectations!! We left satisfied and amazed that Australia could offer so much less and charge so much more! We met up with the boys and we all finally made it into the main square of Lima where we enjoyed a local dinner. After walking around the beautifullly maintained gardens of the main square, we became interested in a huge palacial looking building, and after a few questions to the guards, were told that it was the President of Peru's living quarters. So Mum and I, feeling a little cheeky, asked for a photo with the guard. I asked him if I could hold his gun, and after looking at me like I juts asked if I could shoot the President, I told him I was just joking and luckily he laughed along too. We then went back to the hotel for our last night there. We all called it a night as Mum and Dad were getting up fairly early to fly back to Argentina.
It was definately difficult to say goodbye to Mum and Dad, and equally as difficult to say goodbye to the hotels, buffet breakfasts and great service.......ahhh the high life!! A couple of tears were shed and after realising it was just Lex and I again, a couple more were shed......there's not too much goss when its just the two of you!! Just kidding.
So, we found a new hostel to stay in which turned out to be pretty good since we decided to stay on in Lima for another 2 weeks. The reason for this?? Elton John. Mum and Dad found in the local newspaper that he was performing for the first time in Lima!!! So we marched off to the closest ticket office and purchased two of the cheapest seats in the arena!! However, in the mean time....what to do here? So Lex, being the annoyingly motivated person that he has so recently become, decided he would use the time to go to some more Spanish classes. So with him booked in for 4 hours a day, I got in touch with my relaxation side and chilled in the the room. Ahhhhh, laziness can be so rewarding!
Two nights into Lex's classes we went out for a yummy dinner and then headed into Lima's main square to check out the muched talked about Fountains of Lima. Picture a huge landscaped garden full of fountains of different shapes, sizes and heights. It just so happens that the tallest spurting fountain lives in these gardens and an interesting fountain show. Lex and I didn't quiet know what to expect, however we left pretty impressed by the entertainment and lights show.
At the end of the first week, our awesome Canadian friends Lauren and Brendan rolled into town for Aussie day! So after a few backyard beers and nibbles we met up with Lex in the afternoon, shopped for dinner at the supermarkets, cooked up a storm and let the celerating begin.......and my god did we do that well. So well that the next day we all couldn't remember too much and poor Lex had to go to class......haha motivation can bite you in the ass! The next day we headed back into Lima's centre to visit the city's catacombs that live under the main church and which house the bones of thousands of Lima's locals dating back to the 1500's. Lauren, having studied bones at university, especially found this interesting however the rest of us found it a little weird and we headed off to enjoy some local food.
The next night we made friends with a guy from Amsterdam and decided to hit one of the many casinos in Miraflores. Whilst walking, a town 4 hours away (Ica) experienced an earthquake that measured 6.5 on the ricta scale and Miraflores felt the tremors. Mmmmmmmm, thats strange, we didnt feel a thing. We were told this by a woman that worked at the casino. Lauren, who is a little paranoid and claustrophobic, did an about turn and headed straight out the doors. I found her in the supermarket across the street holding a bread roll. "What are you doing?" I ask..."They weren't selling beers anymore so I thought I'd buy this...". I eventually convinced her to come back to the casino.
That 2nd week with the Canadians was spent enjoying each others company and organising to meet up later on in our trips which, as luck would have it, would only be a couple days later. Finally the 1st of Feburary rolled around and thus marked the day for the piano man ELTON! We had an early dinner and headed to the arena to be greated with traffic, scalpers, lines and people selling beers. Lex and I took the oppurtunity to invest in a couple of beers whilst we waited in line. We made it to our seats in time and was a little worried as they weren't the best and it also seemed we were sitting a section where people with a personality with zero-nothing sat. Oh well I thought, I'll make up for there cheering and singing and that I did. Elton didn't disapoint and we enjoyed the night despite the arena only being half full.....Elton....this is Peru, might've been an idea to lower the prices a little!!
The next day we packed up and finally said goodbye to Lima and doing so, we again, said our farewells to the coast. Not too worry.....more good times ahead!
- comments
KEITH & BETH MESSERVY What can we mere very ordinary old Aussies say but "WOW' It all reads like a fairy tale but we are so happy that you are having such a wonderful time - keep it up, stay well and enjoy - Love G & G
Mum Thank you for the incredible recollection of our amazing journey together!!! Love your blogs - they always make me laugh! You are a very talented and entertaining writer xxxxxxxx (so are you Lex)
Lozzzzaaaa Hahahahahahahahai forgot about the earthquake! Scary! Good times... Good times indeed!
Aunty Karen Maybe I should come over for the pedicure sweetie!! Your detail is fantastic, am enjoying reading your adventures xox