We're off to a great start. Undoubtedly, the expected highlights of this tour are Machu Picchu and Cusco, but our first two days of touring in Lima, the capital, and in Arequipa in the south, have been amazingly fascinating and beautiful. Everyone took far more photos than they dreamed they would in the two cities.
Most people think of Peru as the Incan Empire and then the Spanish, but there is so much more to it than that, and the country has a long, and rich history and culture.
Our guide for the day in Lima, Celestino, brought the city and country to life for us!
By afternoon the fog even lifted and we had beautiful blue skies.
Most people think of Peru as the Incan Empire and then the Spanish, but there is so much more to it than that, and the country has a long, and rich history and culture.
Our guide for the day in Lima, Celestino, brought the city and country to life for us!
By afternoon the fog even lifted and we had beautiful blue skies.
Our Guide Celestino in front of the Plaza San Martin, Lima
(long before the Incas were ever around!)
Performing with a 'wanna-be' famous singer, Yolita
Franciscan Church
No photos were allowed inside, but it was stunning.
Franciscan Church Tower
The Franciscan Church Library was one of the most beautiful we've ever seen.
This is actually a photo of a postcard just to give an idea of the 'Harry Potter' style!
Children are always worth a photo!
The beautiful Main Square of Lima
Lima Main Square
The Schlenker Family - Rick, Chris, Amy, Omar & Denise
Moorish Balconies on the Archbishop's Residence
Overview of the Main Square and Cathedral (and John)
We were there during the changing of the guard and great band music!
Special Treat - The private residence of the Aliaga Family
Oldest house in the Americas dating to 1535 and owned by the same family for 17 generations!
Aliaga Home - Exquisite Interior
Aliaga Home Courtyard
St. Valentine's Market
Larco Herrera Museum - Gigantic Bougainvillea outside
and the largest collection of pottery in the Americas inside!
Denise surrounded by bougainvillea
Lunch at the Larco Museum before our tour - Pisco Sours!
Museum Courtyard
If we were expecting a 'dry' academic tour of a pottery museum we were badly mistaken!
Our guide Celestino took us through 14,000 years of culture in an hour,
and kept us spellbound the entire time!
The Pacific Coast in the Suburb of Miraflores
Amy and Omar at the Lovers' Park
Chris, Libby, Babs, and John at the Pacific Ocean
Chris has a great vertical leap!
On Saturday, a short morning flight on LAN took us from Lima,
over the Andes and the Desert to our next great city, Arequipa.
Snow-covered Andes Mountains and Great Canyons
Lumberyard, Arequipa style
Arcades on the Main Square (los Portales)
Cathedral on the Main Square. 20,000' Andes Mountains in the distance!
The Main Square is teeming with life.
Chanchani Volcano (20,000 feet above sea level) towers over Arequipa and the Valley
Harvesting Corn
John the Baptist Church
A side alley frames the mountains
We visited the convent of Arequipa for an hour and a half and we all took far more photos than we expected! There was just another great photo shot around every corner.
The deep red and deep blue colors used throughout added to the artistry!
Babs is framed with blue walls and a red background.
Cantuta, National Flower of Peru
Charming Alleyway in the Convent
Babs and Ruth enjoy the Convent alleyways
Convent Window
Blue Sky behind the Convent Bell
Arcades in the Main Square, late afternoon
Cathedral Bell on the Main Square
Main Square Reflections
Ruth, Libby, and Babs stroll the Arcades
Interior of the Jesuit Church
Exterior of the Jesuit Church
The Cloisters by Night
Blind Street Musicians Perform
What a beautiful destination !! Good to see Chris, LIbby, Babs, John & Ruth. Sorry I'm not there to join in on the fun!
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