Bonsoir everyone. I've just come back from a quick little run down by Lac Leman (the giant lake here in Geneva). I want to soak up these milder temperatures before the cold weather sets in!
Anyway, since I've already shared the recap of our Inca Trail adventure, I also wanted to share some pictures from the rest of the time I spent in Peru! I flew down to Lima and was there by myself for a couple of days before Lena came in. This was actually my very first time travelling completely solo. If you've been reading since the beginning, you may recall that on my first trip to Hong Kong, I wandered around on my own for a bit, but one of my co-workers was there the whole time that I was there as well, so I don't really feel like that counts. Also, due to the hectic weeks leading up to Lima, I was really under-prepared! I had barely researched a thing. But it worked out fine, as I was able to walk all over the Miraflores area and explore. The only thing I wish I had done differently is practiced some more Spanish before landing!
I also went to some pre-Inca ruins that are located right in Miraflores called Huaca Pucllana. While I was there, I met some other Americans (recent law school graduates) who had just come back from Machu Picchu. It was fun chatting with them about their experiences, but the way they all described the trek itself made me really nervous!
These ruins were not the most exciting things to look at, but I did learn quite a few cool things. For instance, I knew from my pre-Peru reading that the Inca culture is centered around the sun. However, the civilisation at Huaca Pucllana was based around the sea. Our guide explained that the proximity of the civilisations dictated what natural forces they felt were most important in their lives. Seems like a simple (and intuitive) concept, but I found it really fascinating actually.
Of course, one of the things I was most excited about in Lima was the food!! Actually, on my first free day in Lima, at one point I went back to my hotel so that I could use the wifi to research Peruvian cuisine!
And then, it was time to head to Cusco. The very first thing I noticed in Cusco was the sunshine!! After being in Lima for a few days and literally only having clouds, it was such a nice welcome to Cusco - I loved the city immediately.
We had planned a day trip out to the Sacred Valley on our first full day in Cusco. We let our guide Jaime suggest our itinerary for the day, which included some animals, a market, and lots of Inca ruins.
After a day of exploration, we settled in for a relaxed dinner at a restaurant close to our hotel. We had a really great server who even let us go back into the kitchen to see Margaret and John's guinea pig being prepared!
Our last full day in Cusco was spent just wandering around, trying to find some final gear (I was able to rent my sleeping bag from a shop in town for 1/3 of the cost of our guide company!), and relaxing.
And then, we climbed the Inca Trail. Oof.
After a glorious night in Aguas Caliente where we enjoyed hot showers and beds, we flew back to Lima, and I was happy to see that the sun had come with us!!
The city center of Lima was so different from Miraflores. I kept commenting on how I felt like I was in an entirely new place! The architecture was just so lovely.
And before I knew it, my time in Peru had come to an end. It was a really great trip, and I was so happy to get to see some of my favorite people before heading back out to another adventure!
Anyway, since I've already shared the recap of our Inca Trail adventure, I also wanted to share some pictures from the rest of the time I spent in Peru! I flew down to Lima and was there by myself for a couple of days before Lena came in. This was actually my very first time travelling completely solo. If you've been reading since the beginning, you may recall that on my first trip to Hong Kong, I wandered around on my own for a bit, but one of my co-workers was there the whole time that I was there as well, so I don't really feel like that counts. Also, due to the hectic weeks leading up to Lima, I was really under-prepared! I had barely researched a thing. But it worked out fine, as I was able to walk all over the Miraflores area and explore. The only thing I wish I had done differently is practiced some more Spanish before landing!
If you need a money changer, you just look for people on the streets wearing these light blue vests. Then go up to them and tell them you need money. And that is legit.
The beach at Miraflores
Beautiful coastline, but I didn't see the sun for days...
I also went to some pre-Inca ruins that are located right in Miraflores called Huaca Pucllana. While I was there, I met some other Americans (recent law school graduates) who had just come back from Machu Picchu. It was fun chatting with them about their experiences, but the way they all described the trek itself made me really nervous!
These ruins were not the most exciting things to look at, but I did learn quite a few cool things. For instance, I knew from my pre-Peru reading that the Inca culture is centered around the sun. However, the civilisation at Huaca Pucllana was based around the sea. Our guide explained that the proximity of the civilisations dictated what natural forces they felt were most important in their lives. Seems like a simple (and intuitive) concept, but I found it really fascinating actually.
Of course, one of the things I was most excited about in Lima was the food!! Actually, on my first free day in Lima, at one point I went back to my hotel so that I could use the wifi to research Peruvian cuisine!
Pisco sour
Ceviche
Dining alone when you don't speak the language can be a challenge.
Chicharron sandwich
Lomo saltado
Trio of causas, ceviche, and chicha morada
Tacu tacu
Churros and chocolate!
And then, it was time to head to Cusco. The very first thing I noticed in Cusco was the sunshine!! After being in Lima for a few days and literally only having clouds, it was such a nice welcome to Cusco - I loved the city immediately.
Patio lunch at Pachapapa's
Our guinea pig!!
All cut up and ready to eat. I thought it was really tasty actually!
Beautiful center square
We had planned a day trip out to the Sacred Valley on our first full day in Cusco. We let our guide Jaime suggest our itinerary for the day, which included some animals, a market, and lots of Inca ruins.
After a day of exploration, we settled in for a relaxed dinner at a restaurant close to our hotel. We had a really great server who even let us go back into the kitchen to see Margaret and John's guinea pig being prepared!
Adventurers who are tired and hungry
Kitchen tour! That is the guinea pig in the bottom right corner.
Close up!
Our last full day in Cusco was spent just wandering around, trying to find some final gear (I was able to rent my sleeping bag from a shop in town for 1/3 of the cost of our guide company!), and relaxing.
Beautiful sunny skies!
Our lunch spot was on a patio overlooking the square. Every Sunday, they have a big parade!
Carb loading for the trek?
And then, we climbed the Inca Trail. Oof.
After a glorious night in Aguas Caliente where we enjoyed hot showers and beds, we flew back to Lima, and I was happy to see that the sun had come with us!!
We enjoyed Parque Kennedy
We shopped for street art
We went to see the catacombs at the Iglesia de San Francisco
We did not feed any pigeons.
The city center of Lima was so different from Miraflores. I kept commenting on how I felt like I was in an entirely new place! The architecture was just so lovely.
I also bought churros from this man!
Hotel Bolivar
And before I knew it, my time in Peru had come to an end. It was a really great trip, and I was so happy to get to see some of my favorite people before heading back out to another adventure!
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