Lima, Peru
Our ship is berthed in the port of Callao, a massive sea port and gateway to Lima, capital city of Peru.
Lima is home to almost 9 million people, is noisy, crowded and today a very muggy 29C.
Despite a number of general warnings regarding an uptick in crime targeting tourists, we decided to still head out for the day.
We always dress down when touring, but today we went to another level to try and avoid bringing unwanted attention to ourselves. Not one piece of jewelry between us, even removed our wedding rings, no wallets or bags, one credit card, one piece of ID - driving license, $30 in small denominations and our oldest and most drab clothing, and hopped on a bus. The journey took the better part of an hour through some of the most horrendous traffic that we have seen in a long while - motorcycles weaving between cars, buses, and 18 wheelers, horns sounding continuously, many near misses but surprisingly no collisions. To describe this scene as chaotic would be a gross misrepresentation.
Following our need to minimize risk for our safety, an upscale shopping mall became an obvious choice, and in we went. Air conditioned, quiet, numerous options for coffee and snacks - for sure not one of our most exciting days, but we were confidently relaxed while we leisurely wandered around indoors.
After a few hours inside the mall, we caught the bus back to our ship, washed up and had a light lunch, followed by a lazy swim in the pool and then a soak in a hot tub.
Later in the evening, after dinner, we enjoyed a folkloric show performed by a group of Lima residents. So very enjoyable too - a lot of of enthusiasm and energy from the performers, very colourful costumes and great dancers.
Lima is home to almost 9 million people, is noisy, crowded and today a very muggy 29C.
Despite a number of general warnings regarding an uptick in crime targeting tourists, we decided to still head out for the day.
We always dress down when touring, but today we went to another level to try and avoid bringing unwanted attention to ourselves. Not one piece of jewelry between us, even removed our wedding rings, no wallets or bags, one credit card, one piece of ID - driving license, $30 in small denominations and our oldest and most drab clothing, and hopped on a bus. The journey took the better part of an hour through some of the most horrendous traffic that we have seen in a long while - motorcycles weaving between cars, buses, and 18 wheelers, horns sounding continuously, many near misses but surprisingly no collisions. To describe this scene as chaotic would be a gross misrepresentation.
Following our need to minimize risk for our safety, an upscale shopping mall became an obvious choice, and in we went. Air conditioned, quiet, numerous options for coffee and snacks - for sure not one of our most exciting days, but we were confidently relaxed while we leisurely wandered around indoors.
After a few hours inside the mall, we caught the bus back to our ship, washed up and had a light lunch, followed by a lazy swim in the pool and then a soak in a hot tub.
Later in the evening, after dinner, we enjoyed a folkloric show performed by a group of Lima residents. So very enjoyable too - a lot of of enthusiasm and energy from the performers, very colourful costumes and great dancers.
Seagulls use the unused dock as a rest area.
This massive bulk carrier, full of corn, took two full days to completely unload.
There was a continuous stream of trucks leaving the port with full loads of corn.
Pigeons and other birds act as a clean up crew for the corn spilled from overfull transport trucks.
Container ship being loaded through the night.
The bus ride into the city, almost an hour in heavy traffic.
The thick fog hung around all day - caused by the cold Humboldt Current
condensing the warm, moist air - and lifted, just before getting dark, revealing the fishing fleet just outside of the harbour wall, along with cargo ships waiting to enter the port.
Folkloric dancers amazing energy, beautiful costumes and great music.
30 second video of folkloric show
best to watch full screen with sound on.
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