Lima - Week 39

12th & 13th June

On Tuesday we took the bus from Ica (no hanging round there - what a dump!) to Lima which took about 4 hours. We checked into Eurobackpackers hostel in Miraflores and spent our first afternoon trying to sort out a Galapagos trip (with no luck!) and at the cinema. The Good Sheperd with Matt Damon. A bit dry, not recommended.

On Wednesday we took the bus into the town centre in time for the changing of the guard which was well worth a look. A big marching brass band and lots of goosestepping soldiers. Afterwards we had a guided tour around the cathedral which was really interesting then went to San Francisco church built in 1674 which survived the earthquake in 1746 (most building didn't). There are catacombs full of human bones below the church which was used to bury the nobility and other people that paid to be buried there as they thought they would be closer to Heaven. Very morbid!

4m deep pits full of bones - spooky!

In the afternoon, we visited the National Museum (driven by lovely taxi driver Walter!) which was enormous and has lots of detailed and very good displays about Peruvian history before the Spanish conquest. One interesting exhibit was a replica of the tomb of an ancient king. He was buried with lots of gold, llamas, his military chief, two wives, children and his dog. I doubt if the others died of natural causes!

And that night it was off on another night bus to Huarez. Lima wasn´t too bad as big cities go, but when we were there it was in it´s 4 months of cold sea mist period, so glad to leave for a bit of sun.

Books read by James: Should have got off at Sydney Parade by Ross O´Carrol-Kelly. Readable but not recommended.