Enchanting Lima

Lima is a wonderful city. Very cosmopolitan in the inner city and very third-world on the outskirts. Security/police presence everywhere.

I went to the Lima Golf Club and then walked around the area. Our afternoon tour took us to colonial Lima. Absolutely wonderful. We visited Plaza de Armas with the House of Government, Municipal Palace, Arch Bishop's Palace, Bronze Fountain, and the Cathedral Basilica.

Next we walked to the San Francisco Church and Monastery.

Absoluely stunning, especially the library and the cupula mudejar entirely carved of wood. We got to visit the catacombs which were interesting as well. We weren't allowed to take photographs inside the building so I am using postcards.

Our group then went to Miraflores, the hip and sought after place to live on the Pacific Ocean.

We visited a three story open air shopping mall built into the cliffside overlooking the Pacific. Our Peruvian-style farewell dinner was next and then our day ended going to the airport for our flight home.

H-E-L-L-O L-I-M-A!!!!

Our group left Puno at 7:00 this morning enroute to Lima. We made one stop before the Juliaca Airport - the burial towers at Sillustani. Very interesting.

We then headed to the airport, which has a total of 2 gates. We boarded our plane by walking out to it and climbing up the stairs - piece of cake after the last 8 days. We landed in Lima an hour and 31 minutes later.

Our city tour is tomorrow afternoon followed by a farewell dinner and trip to the airport for our 1:00 a.m. flight. Yes, I did say 1:00 a.m. Can't wait!!!! Not. I have a special excursion planned for in the morning.

People on the Floating Reeds

Our excursion today took us to the Uros Islands - 77 floating islands, all with inhabitants.

The process of creating these floating islands is very interesting. Later we took a 2.5 hour boat ride to the island of Taquile for a little entertainment and lunch.

Unfortunately the ride back was 2.5 hours. Tomorrow morning we head to Lima for our last stop of the tour before heading home.

Roadtrip - Long Roadtrip!!!!

Our group left Cusco at 8:00 am this morning for a 9 hour trip to Puno/Lake Titicaca. We did stop about every 2 hours for the potty. Our first stop was a vey small village with the most fabulous church you could ever imagine. The inside (which we could not photograph) was breathtaking.

Lots of wall frescos and ceiling artwork. At about Noon we had reached our climb to 14,000 feet and stopped to look at the snow capped mountains and all the llamas in Araya.

And, as with all other stops, there were plenty of shopping opportunities. Surprisingly I felt nothing with the altitude change. We arrived in Puno, which is on the banks of Lake Titicaca and has grown up the surrounding mountain. About 200,000 people live here. Tomorrow we will be on the lake all day visiting the floating islands and their inhabitants as well as the island of Taquile.

Cindy Takes Cusco

Today was a free day - some of the group chose to take an optional tour, but I opted to see the city on my own. I got up early for me on a Saturday (8:30am). Yes, I know, don't faint. Being at altitude causes loss of appetite (somewhat) and not being able to sleep solid through the night. My first stop was the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun) and Church of Santo Domingo.

That lead me to the location of the Inca Wall remains and the Church of Santa Catalina.

From there I walked to the Church of La Merced and Church of San Francisco

, where I met Pablo Picasso (yea right) but I did buy one of the small water color paintings he was selling. Next I took to the Plaza de Armas where they were having the parade for the secondary school children.

Photographed the Cathedral and the Church of La Compania.

Well, it was then almost lunch time and where do you think I went - yes, McDonald's - I couldn't help myself, it was right there. I watched a little more of the parade and headed back to the hotel to drop off my painting. I then headed to the artist neighborhood of San Blas.

I must say I have walked up so many steps and inclines that my body is in total shock. In addition to consuming tons of water, which I hardly ever do. Tomorrow morning we head for Lake Titicaca. We've been told that we will climb to an elevation of 14,000 feet and then descend to 12,500 at the lake. Later.