Today, we are docking at Callao, Lima’s port, which is about 5 miles east of the downtown area. We tied up along side at the pier just prior to 8:00am and will be here in Lima until 5:00pm. We were also here on our 2012 & 2016 cruises. We didn’t see much of Lima in 2012 as we left the ship and flew to Cusco for our trip to see Machu Pucchu. In 2016 we were here two days. We cancelled our tour on first day and did a Highlights of Lima tour the second day.
The west coast countries of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador are so rich in culture, history, scenery, and archeological treasures. I never get tired of visiting them. The people are most helpful and so friendly.
What We Did Last Night:
After dinner we went to the show featuring the Broadway performers: Doug and Debbie singing together. Debbie was better this time.
Background/Historical Info:
Founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador, Pizarro, it is now the capital and largest city in Peru. One third of Peruvians live here in Lima. Lima is the second largest city in South America behind Sao Paulo, Brazil. Today, Lima’s riches are cultural as the city contains Peru’s finest museums, swankiest shops, and finest restaurants. It is home to the oldest learning institution in the New World. The National University of San Marcos has been continuously operating since 1551. In 1746 a powerful earthquake severely damaged most of the city and destroyed Callao, the port city where we are docked today. Then in 1940 an earthquake destroyed most of the city which was mostly built of adobe. It has since been rebuilt into a very modern and vibrant city.
Lima today is the industrial and financial center of Peru and one of Latin America’s most important financial centers. The metropolitan area is home to around 7000 factories thanks to the availability of a big workforce and transportation system. Textiles, clothing, and food are produced here. Also chemicals, fish, leather, and oil derivatives are made or processed here. The seaport at Callao is one of the main fishing and commercial ports in South America. The main exports are oil, steel, silver, zinc, cotton, and coffee. Needless to say, the economy here is robust. Environmental issues include: air pollution, lead in their water, and solid waste disposal. Crime is also a problem with 40% of the population in Lima over the age of 15 having been crime victims. Tourism features the many museums, churches, archeological sites, and night life. I will be checking out a couple of the archeological sites today. Will skip the nightlife!!
Because of the cool ocean waters, the temperature in Lima is normally between 57 to 84 degrees. The days are mostly sunny but with some morning fog from the cool ocean. With only 13 inches of rain per year they get most of their water from wells and rivers flowing down from the Andes.
What We Did Today:
We arrived at the pier and was docked just before 8:00am. The meeting time for my excursion was 9:45 am so I had time for a little breakfast and then to gym for a workout before then. Today I am doing the tour I was to do, but cancelled, back in 2016--”Ancient Oracle Centers in Lima”. The tour is scheduled for 4 hours.
But first, I went up and walked 3 miles on jogging track followed with shower and breakfast. Rebecca did her usual room service breakfast. Once again she will workout this morning while I go on the tour.
So I boarded my tour bus shortly after 9:45 am and headed to the Pucllana Historical Park which is located in the Miraflores district of central Lima. Good timing of this tour missed rush hour! Our first stop was to view the Huaca Pucllana. We had an archeologist give us a guided tour of this archeological site which served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for a society that existed here between the years of 200 AD to 700 AD. This great pyramid made of adobe and clay, surrounded by a plaza, was divided into two sections: one with benches and deep pits was probably where offerings of fish and other marine life was made to attain favor of the gods; the other side, contains small clay structures and huts made of adobe whose purpose seemed to act as the administrative area. Here the elite clergymen who politically governed several valleys expressed their religious power and ability to control the use of all the natural water resources in the area.
Then our bus took us to the San Isido district of Lima to tour the oracle center, Huaca Huallamarca. This two story adobe structure with a steep ramp dates back to 300 AD and has remained mostly undamaged over time and modern civilization. Mummies have been unearthed from inside it and are on display in the museum. I did not go into the museum.
I returned to the ship at 1:45 and went up to grab a hot dog at the pool grill. Then I went to work on this blog post. So here is the link to today's photos taken at the Huacas. Use same procedure for viewing them as described in my other posts.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BKWXbxsci4Zzh7QD6
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