So what's it like in Peru? Well because it is winter this area is covered in low cloud. The temperature decreases, humidity rises and cool air moves in from the sea making it condense, causing a light drizzle in the morning and evening that the locals call garúa, however it hasn't detracted from our enjoyment but it does make the photos look very dark unfortunately.

On Monday we travelled into the city using the new bus service that has it's own bus lane and dedicated bus stops like a tram system. This and the small length of underground is the only official transport system. All other buses are private and compete with each other for passengers across the city which doesn't help the traffic problems they have here.

Once into the city we visited the main square and the Presidential Palace where, at noon, we watched the changing of the guard which was very entertaining . The guards march the goosestep to the music of the official brass brand in front of the palace behind tall railings. Just as entertaining are the military police and security guards keeping the public under control, making sure that they keep a distance from the fence. They are very imposing standing there with their guns. Also around the square police men and women stand with riot shields in case of trouble. At the same time police cars and bikes zoom along the streets with their sirens blaring and lights flashing. All in all quite exciting!

After the display we wandered around the old quarter admiring the ornate enclosed balconies that Lima is renowned for. Many are 17th and 18th century and are beautifully ornate works of art. These balconies were falling into ruin until a former mayor persuaded people to 'adopt' a balcony and encouraged them to restore them to their former glory. We hopped on a city tour bus for 10 sols (2.50) , which was a bargain as we could view them first hand from the top deck as it threaded its way through the city. The tour bus was supposed to take one hour, but because of the traffic jams it ended up nearly two hours.

The final part of the trip took us up a hill top that overlooks the city with a cross on the top. The view would have been spectacular if it hadn't been for the fog hanging over the city, but this was more than made up for the ride up the hill with treacherous hillsides and narrow bends climbing to the top. The track was single lane so at every corner the bus was frantically hooting to warn traffic coming down. At the base of the hill we squeezed between the houses, the top deck inches from the many cables slung between the houses. We looked down on the tin and brick windowless shacks that had been built into the sheer hillside, tiny paths threaded between them. Then we had the descent which was just as fun before ending back in the city centre.

We found a chap making some kind of drink that I made Chris try to fortify him for the journey back to our digs. Unfortunately we made the same mistake as in the morning and took the bus going the wrong way AGAIN, so it was off at the next stop and back on the right one. Oops must be old age!!

Yesterday and today we explored the area around our hostal. We were trying to reach the sea but hadn't realised there was a big cliff in the way. Barranco, the area we are staying, still has many of the old colonial style buildings, some of which are still in their original state. We visited one that had been restored and turned into a museum. The architecture was beautiful with the glorious tall ceilings and doors. After this we eventually found the sea which was a bit disappointing, just a muddy sand beach with a highway running alongside and lots of tsunami warning signs. The cliffs are covered in netting and everywhere looks very brown. In the streets above there are bushes and trees with lovely blooms where hummingbirds flit about. They are easy to miss as they dart about so quickly.

We have found the food here surprisingly good, we particularly like the beef stir fry or it may be alpaca, we are not sure. We also like their rolled doughnuts filled with toffee, yum yum.

This is our last evening, tomorrow (1st June) we fly to Mexico City and then onto Puerto Vallarta on the west coast.