Lima, Peru

We docked at Callao outside of Lima, Peru, about 6:00 am, and were able to go ashore at 7:00 am. This is the only Peruvian port that we will stop at. The dock is an industrial one, and we needed to take a shuttle to the entrance/terminal, which takes about 5 minutes or less. From there you can get a taxi or meet your tour guide for the SASA tours.
This is also the port that about 120 people from the Carnival Splendor will be flying to Maccu Picchu today. They will rejoining us in Arica, on February 17^th.

A number of people headed to the downtown area called Mira Flores, where shopping and restaurants are to be found. Near here is Love Park where the 30 foot statue entitled “El Beso' (the kiss) is located and also has a great view of the city and beach,as it is high up on a cliff.

We took a tour to see the Pachacamac Ruins and Larco Museum. Our tour guide also took us around central Lima and to a handicraft market. A number of SASA members took other but similar tours.
Pachacamac was one of the largest religious centers on the Peruvian Coast. It is located at the south of Lima, virtually at the foot of the Pacific Ocean. Pachacamac contains various pyramids, temples and large plazas, and digging continues. Most of the common buildings and temples were built c. 800-1450 CE, shortly before the arrival and conquest by the Inca Empire. The temperature was 21 C at the pier when we left and around 28 C. at this site, before noon.

Next we went toured around the central part of Lima, past some very old and beautiful historic buildings, including the yellow palace, and impressive Supreme Court building. We stopped at a large handicraft market and had a brief time to do some gift buying. Then onto the Larco Museum, which has artifacts from Inca and Aztec cultures, as well as others. Lima having no rain in most years has helped preserve some of the artifacts now being discovered.

I have to say to drive in Lima (a city of 9 million) is something to see, but not necessarily to drive around. Driving here is not for the faint-heated. Traffic rules for lane changes, or turning do not seem to apply to most of the drivers, we saw.
Back at the port, there is a small market set up next to the ship with alpaca clothing, and other souvenirs. The flute musician playing in the center of the market was very enjoyable to hear as a person browses for those last minute gifts.