We emerged from our 14 hours of sleep just after 6am - washed, showered and went down to the restaurant for a much needed breakfast - great papaya and yogurt along with rolls for me and puffed wheat for John.
We went back to the room and read until we had to go back downstairs for the 1000 am briefing, where we met our eclectic mix of fellow travellers - couples from Dublin, Stavanger, Derbyshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, three retired ladies from Somerset and Bobby our Peruvian guide who hails from Cusco and who said he was suffering from lowland sickness ( lethargy as the body gets used to more oxygen ) the opposite of altitude sickness( which we were briefed on and given a sheet to record any symptoms we may experience as we go inland.)
After the briefing we went and had our lunch - a hot egg and cheese flatbread sandwich from Dunkin donuts which we saw and fancied yesterday.
It was another drab cool day and as it's only going to get cooler we also went to the big dept store and invested in another fleece type jacket each.
We met as a group again at 2pm and went for a city tour. Firstly we took the bus and drove past an old mud brick pyramid which is being restored and is evidence of older civilizations living in Lima after which we headed to the city centre and walked around the impressive centre - many of the buildings were influenced by the Spanish. However since the economic crash in the 1980s when rampant 1000% inflation made 1 sole (now) = 1 million (the guide showed us the 1&5 million notes) everybody left as the affluent areas became unsafe and for some unaffordable. Strangely there has been no revival as people prefer to live elsewhere in this city of 9 million.
Due to the lack of building materials on the coast the impressive stonework, and quality woodwork (often using cedar from Nicaragua) was only in the facade, the remainder to the building was made of more readily available mud bricks and bamboo! The Presidential palace is still occupied; it was protected by smartly dressed soldiers in red, black and gold who goose stepped back to their quarters when their shift, standing in front of the palace, was over.
The one thing I noticed was that the Peruvians are a very small nation - I could look down a street and see over everybody's heads - max 5'5"! ( today's photo).The other striking feature was the number of police; there were 'police nationale' both on patrol and standing around with riot shields - just in case - there was their own version of PCSOs,who work with the police, in their highly visible yellow jackets providing district safety, albeit they were often found in groups of 6-8 and finally the numerous traffic police, with whistles in mouths standing in high boxes or on terra firma, valiantly trying to direct and control the traffic - I am not sure if they helped or hindered!! Good to see were the women doing all the roles - less in the PCSO role strangely.
We next visited the catacombs and monastery above - 20,000 people had been buried underground as this was the city cemetery - interesting but not my favourite sight!
We then headed back to the hotel for a quick wash and brush up before heading out to see the laser and fountain show in the park by the national stadium. It took 30 mins to get there ( through the horrendous Lima traffic) and 10 mins to get back - but it was well worth it even though we missed a bit. They definitely have great parks and the light show was first class - we saw several brides - obviously this is the way to top off your marriage ceremony.
Show over and fountains toured ( we even walked through a tunnel of water remaining dry) - we headed back to the park near the hotel and went for a quick bite to eat - we kept ours light as it was now well past 9pm. I had an asparagus crepe and two much need cappuccinos. Bed beckoned but no 14 hours tonight as there was noise everywhere - partying at the front of the hotel in the bars and below us in the kitchens seemingly continual hoovering!
Hey ho luckily we had some hours in the bank from yesterday !!