Artists' market, Miraflores

We embarked on our World Expeditions tour (Best of Peru & Bolivia, Dec. 2001) arriving in Lima, 

After 2 days in Miami, we began our Footloose Highlights of Mexico tour, taking in the Yucatan peninsular.

We thought Lima would be just a place to rest our heads en route to the rest of Peru, but we were pleasantly surprised. The arrival at the airport was a culture shock. Even at 1am it was a press of humanity. But we coped and found ourselves at an old  hotel in Miraflores, 8 km from the main square.

Plaza de Armas, Lima

The next day saw us touring the main square, typical of any in South America - one of the better legacies left from the Spanish colonial days. There are historical sites from earlier times in the form of pre-Inca pyramids, not too far from downtown. And interesting museums! The Gold Museum, a private outfit, was a fascinating experience, as much for the collection of war memorabilia as for the famed Inca gold and artifacts. Its location out in the slums provided quite a contrast!

Miraflores is a pretty; a former playground for Lima's elite in colonial times. There is a beautiful boulevard in the middle of the main street, leading to a lookout over the beach. Miraflores is precariously situated  atop bare cliffs above the sea. The road  below is on reclaimed land. And in Summer, the waves wash over the rocks in an eerie mist. Despite the fact that it is on the coast, Lima is in a desert. 

After a short two nights, it was time to make our way to the Tambopato Reserve in Amazonia.