On our last day in country, we flew from Cusco to Lima and then walked around Lima. After spending the afternoon and evening in Lima, we had a late night flight back to Denver. Since we had the walking tour of Lima at the start of our trip, it was even more fun to walk around and explore. We managed to find Bar Cordano, where Ernest Hemingway used to go and sampled the local favorites.
Santiago, of Haku Walking Tours, was our Lima Tour guide for the day!
In the Plaza Major
On the rooftop balcony of Hotel Espana, with the San Francisco Monestary behind us!
To start our adventure in Peru, Dennis and I had arranged a half day walking tour of Lima. The company, Haku Walking Tours, practices sustainable tourism and all of their profits support local Lima communities. They do many projects to support the Lima shantytowns and so we felt really happy to hire them.
United was having a credit card deal where you get a pile of points just for using the card, so Dennis signed up. As a result, we were able to purchase first class tickets for the whole trip to Peru. We had never flown first class and we were both looking forward to being able to lie down on the 6 hour flight to Lima.
On the way back to the states, Brenda and I had a long layover in Lima. Rather than staying in the airport, we hired a taxi and walked around Lima. From the airport concierge, we got some beta from a young gal about the Mirabus Tour company which would, for a reasonable fee, take us around Lima. She also told us that it was a free musuem day, how cool! It sounded intriguing. (more…)
I don’t know if it was the lovely October fall temps, the magic of Eldorado Canyon, a wonderful day of climbing, or a combination of all elements; when Brenda confided a recent contemplation of a trip to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the intrigue was all too contagious. It had been a desire of hers for quite some time to visit this spiritual and historic place. Hearing her talk about the idea sparked my imagination – Peru!
I asked if she wouldn’t mind having company. If she was going to join a tour, than it was possible she’d be paired up with a smoker and that would really be awful. Since, I’m definitely not a smoker, I thought I would plant the seed. I pointed out, “You know, the devil that you know…”. However, I suspected we would have a ***blast***, just like we do when we climb.
We discussed details and did our homework regarding pricing. By the end of that week, plans were in place. Plane tickets and tour fees were paid for a trip in December. I couldn’t believe I was going to go with Peru…and with Brenda! What a thrill to make such “last minute” plans. Whoop whoop! (more…)