Day Twenty One: Lamas in Lima

Today began with a much needed sleep in. Our hotel seems to be perfect for siestas (anytime of day that is) We went down for breakfast in the inhouse restaurant - cute spansh garden cottage feel to it. Not too bad food either - were all a bit hesitant to try things at the moment, gunshy from all the travel warnings and advice on what not to eat. Water here is good tho, they have purified bottles everywhere.

We managed to arrange a tour of the city with a guide for 2pm. After feeling like we kinda wasted a day, our guide quickly changed that. And what great service and value, for US$28 each we got our own van, driver and guide to take us around the whole city for 4 hrs. He was such a lovely and knowledgable guy too, he reminded me of you Ross, apart from the knowledgable bit - kidding! (Hes in a couple of photos, so you can check him out) One photo he´s patting this native hairless dog, only native to three countries apparently. Quite ugly, but intriguing dogs as they are so old.

Anyway first point of call was this beautiful park on the coast near where we are staying in Miraflores. Lots of Gaudi inspired works and nice gardens. We then went to the ancient places of worship of the local people of the Lima region (mot Incas-they are highlands up north). These structures were amazng mudbrick pyramids, but more trapezoidal in shape. Crazy!

Next stop was the centre of town, which is full of history and tales of revolution and different leaders. Lima was at one stage the capital of south america (well at least according to our guide). So it has quite a rich history. The spanish influence is everywhere in the architecture, as is the French influence thanks to Napolean. Quite lovely streets, public squares and markets tho - i loved the colours. Many buildings are painted yellow, as the ancient people of this land worshipped the Gods of the Sea and the Moon, (unlike the Incas who worshipped the sun), so the buildings reflect the ancient civilisations worship of moonlight. It makes for quite an uplifting and vibrant city. Very enriching.

We then got a taste of the religious history of Lima, going to the Franciscan Monastery, one of the five religious orders in the area. What a beautiful building, outside and in, and below. Inside it is filled with 16th century art, murals and books. The Moorish panelling on the ceilings and the patterned mosaic tilings on the walls were amzing. Unfortunately there was no photography allowed, but it was beautiful. The most amazing part of the place, was the three levels of catacombs under the church. Was quite an experience to walk with the ghosts and literally bones of the dead. Weirdest part is the bones are all layed out so neatly, which was done in the 1940´s apparently when they reopened the catacombs to visitors. Its quite weird seeing femurs arranged into a pile then skulls, and then sometimes arranged in a pattern. The tunnels and vaulted low, low ceilings were amesome too. Quite unreal.

The tour ended and we met our tour group for the next 14 days through Peru. We then headed out to dinner on the coastal touristy area in Mira flores with  few peeps from the group. Theres a pretty nice kiwi couple and an older pommie couple too so far. Anyway, we ignored all previous advice not to eat seafood in south america, and tucked into some mussel soup and shrimp kebabs. Our tour guide assured us that it was fine, and when i asked him what he was ordering and he replied seafood...well i thought it must be ok-- and it was delicious. Lets hope our stomachs are ok in the morning!

Off to the Amazon Jungle tomorrow kids - habla manana - speak tomorrow