Breakfast buffet is as good as it was yesterday. There's enough variety for my husband and as long as I can have fresh fruit and toast or mini danish I'm good even without an egg station. Today we decided to get an earlier start at around 9:00 AM. The hotel has arranged for a driver George/Jorge who will take us from place to place since our planned stops aren't that close together to be walkable. He will also wait for us, and in the end, he walks with us for some of the sights. Cost was 40 soles per hour. He was great. Patient and so easy to talk to. Jorge Luis Alva Fuentes phone 991-342-526 e-mail: jorgealva15@hotmail.com
First we make a quick stop at the post office where I buy some stamps for postcards. Took just minutes. Even though I speak hardly any Spanish I managed to make the clerk understand what I wanted. I'm pleased with myself! Then we stop for a shopping excursion at the Indian Market. Destination expert xochitl had answered a post of mine when I asked where I could buy a chakana charm for a necklace. His answer was the Indian Market. It's too bad we're here so early-9:00 AM-as not all the shops are open. However I'm in luck as the first place I see with jewelry has what I'm looking for-a lovely 950 silver chakana cross necklace charm which I intend to give to my step daughter. Asking price was $36.00 but I get it for $32.00. At another stall I'm looking for a T shirt for my 8 year old grandson but I just can't find what I'm looking for. But I did find a really nice quality T shirt for myself. It has 3 small embroidered llamas with PERU also embroidered on it. It's navy and it fits! Didn't mark down the cost but I know I got it for less than the asking price and I love it.
San Francisco Church and Convent has impressive yellow Baroque style twin towers. Famous for its crypts/underground vaults. Access by guided tour only. I believe admission was 10 soles per person. 17th century. Be prepared for an unpleasant odor when you descend into the catacombs. Perhaps bring a hanky with some perfume on it or some Vicks. A couple from our tour group did not feel well and left as soon as we exited the catacombs without finishing the rest of the tour. Thousand of remains/skulls/bones. Library with a big collection of ancient texts. No pictures allowed inside with or without flash. I bought some postcards after the tour to substitute for the pictures I couldn't take. We spent a little over an hour here.
Since our driver has parked his car in the lot across the street from SF he asks if it's ok to walk to our next stop as parking is not available there. We're fine. So we walk down some streets and in about 15 minutes or less we arrived at Casa de Aliaga accompanied by our driver. Near Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. This private home was given to his ancestor Captain Geronimo de Aliaga y Ramirez back in 1535. It has been home to each generation since. I believe admission was 30 soles per person. It is filled with colonial art and decor. I did spy a modern bathroom off one of the bedrooms though! It has lovely tilework, gorgeous paintings, beautiful carved wood doors, stained glass. Family pictures on side tables add a nice homey touch. Fresh flower arrangements everywhere. Inner courtyard of plants. A small family chapel. In one of the rooms there was a picture of the current owner sitting in a chair with a dog by his feet. He looked so distinguished. As we are about to leave the house a man enters. We find out from George that he is the current owner. He does look like the man in the painting but with gray hair, not black. Still distinguished looking though. We tell him through George that we loved his house and thought it was beautiful and we are happy we got to see it. We get our picture taken with him. He shakes our hands, wishes us a safe trip, and welcomes us into his home. He is such a nice, personable man. We spent 30 minutes here. It truly is a lovely home. You are allowed to take pictures but no flash.
We head back to where we left the car passing a group of young boys and girls dressed in red and white clothing. George says they're going to do a dance demonstration. They are adorable and we wished we had time to wait and watch.
Reaching the car we drive over to Plaza San Martin. This square contains a bust of Peru's national hero Jose de San Martin. San Martin was the Protector of Peru. He was instrumental in gaining independence for Peru from the Spanish. At the base of the statue is bronze Madre Patria with a llama on her head. Buildings clustered around this square are impressive.
El Parque del Amor. George parks the car and waits while my husband and I walk around. This lovely place sits right next to the Pacific Ocean. We can see the paragliders and wait to see one run off the cliff but never got to see that. As soon as we turned to go a guy took off but we missed it! There are surfers in the water and people on the beach below us. Soon I see what I came for. The statue by Victor Delfin-The Kiss. It's much bigger than I expected. There's also a very pretty tile work wall and another quirky statue. A bright red heart with a hand getting ready to shoot an arrow from the bow. The arrow had a heart at its end. Vendors selling ice cream......
A short drive from this park and we're at Larcomar Mall where George parks the car and again waits. I have come here to the store Ilaria to see if they have the necklace and earrings I couldn't find at their stores in Cusco. There is an interactive information display board to show where stores are located in the mall. I quickly locate the store Ilaria. I'm in luck as this store has both the necklace and the matching earrings. They're in a beautiful Chakana design. Cost for both pieces 675 soles. I'm very happy!
I tell George we're done so we drive back to the hotel. We have spent 5 1/2 hours with our driver. Cost 220 soles and I did give him a tip for being so sweet and such good company for the day. He was terrific and I can highly recommend him. Time for a drink! At our hotel bar Richard has 2 Dorado golden lager beers and I have the most incredible tasting drink. Marabuena consisting of Pisco Mosto Verde Torontel, ginger ale, passion fruit, and mint. Cost was 49 soles which we charged to our room. We also left a tip for the bartender.
For dinner we decide on Rigoletto Lima. Taxi 15 soles. We have no reservation but are lucky and get seated right away at a very nice table. Fresh red rose and baby's breath on the table. We dressed up a bit nicer for this place and although not really necessary I'm glad we did. It's a very nice place and other diners are dressed as us so I'm glad we made the extra effort. There is a very extensive menu for all tastes. Our dinner started with complimentary bruschetta. We ordered caesar salad for us both. I ordered the ravioles alla sorrentina-filled with spinach and ricotta cheese. Richard opted for one of the evening's specials and it was an excellent choice. Fresh Dover filet with shrimp, capers, cheese, and a side of pasta aliolio. All the pasta is homemade. His entree was better than mine. I had a taste of the fish and it just melted in my mouth. But my raviloi was not too shabby by any means. We decided to share dessert-tiramisu-that was scrumptious. Every bite was better than the one before. Delicious. Cost 173 soles without tip. Taxi back was 12 soles. This restaurant is located in the Miraflores area so taxi cost was not that bad.
Back at our hotel I decide to buy the shawl/cape I've been eyeing at the Sol Aplaca store located inside our hotel. Oh no, it's gone. The woman assures me she can get it for me. She runs out and returns with the one I wanted!! Cost 349.50 soles or $106.52. I love it and it's the same one on the cover of the Sol Alpaca pamphlet.
Tomorrow we are doing a tour that will include time at the Pachacamac ruins and Paso Horse Show with lunch at Mamacona.
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| This is George's car-a nice roomy KIA. |
First we make a quick stop at the post office where I buy some stamps for postcards. Took just minutes. Even though I speak hardly any Spanish I managed to make the clerk understand what I wanted. I'm pleased with myself! Then we stop for a shopping excursion at the Indian Market. Destination expert xochitl had answered a post of mine when I asked where I could buy a chakana charm for a necklace. His answer was the Indian Market. It's too bad we're here so early-9:00 AM-as not all the shops are open. However I'm in luck as the first place I see with jewelry has what I'm looking for-a lovely 950 silver chakana cross necklace charm which I intend to give to my step daughter. Asking price was $36.00 but I get it for $32.00. At another stall I'm looking for a T shirt for my 8 year old grandson but I just can't find what I'm looking for. But I did find a really nice quality T shirt for myself. It has 3 small embroidered llamas with PERU also embroidered on it. It's navy and it fits! Didn't mark down the cost but I know I got it for less than the asking price and I love it.
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| Indios/Indian Market entrance |
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| This is the place where I bought the Chakana cross for my step daughter |
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| Silver Chakana cross charm |
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| Lots of places to buy souvenirs |
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| This is the T shirt I bought |
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| This is the place where I bought the T shirt |
San Francisco Church and Convent has impressive yellow Baroque style twin towers. Famous for its crypts/underground vaults. Access by guided tour only. I believe admission was 10 soles per person. 17th century. Be prepared for an unpleasant odor when you descend into the catacombs. Perhaps bring a hanky with some perfume on it or some Vicks. A couple from our tour group did not feel well and left as soon as we exited the catacombs without finishing the rest of the tour. Thousand of remains/skulls/bones. Library with a big collection of ancient texts. No pictures allowed inside with or without flash. I bought some postcards after the tour to substitute for the pictures I couldn't take. We spent a little over an hour here.
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| Lots of kids here today |
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| Impressive |
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| Baroque style twin towers |
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| Sightseeing bus?? |
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| Lots of birds! |
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Since our driver has parked his car in the lot across the street from SF he asks if it's ok to walk to our next stop as parking is not available there. We're fine. So we walk down some streets and in about 15 minutes or less we arrived at Casa de Aliaga accompanied by our driver. Near Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. This private home was given to his ancestor Captain Geronimo de Aliaga y Ramirez back in 1535. It has been home to each generation since. I believe admission was 30 soles per person. It is filled with colonial art and decor. I did spy a modern bathroom off one of the bedrooms though! It has lovely tilework, gorgeous paintings, beautiful carved wood doors, stained glass. Family pictures on side tables add a nice homey touch. Fresh flower arrangements everywhere. Inner courtyard of plants. A small family chapel. In one of the rooms there was a picture of the current owner sitting in a chair with a dog by his feet. He looked so distinguished. As we are about to leave the house a man enters. We find out from George that he is the current owner. He does look like the man in the painting but with gray hair, not black. Still distinguished looking though. We tell him through George that we loved his house and thought it was beautiful and we are happy we got to see it. We get our picture taken with him. He shakes our hands, wishes us a safe trip, and welcomes us into his home. He is such a nice, personable man. We spent 30 minutes here. It truly is a lovely home. You are allowed to take pictures but no flash.
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| Entrance to Casa de Aliaga |
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| Coat of Arms |
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| Grand staircase |
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| Original owner |
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| Office area with stunning tiles |
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| One of the many bedrooms |
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| Dining room |
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| Inner courtyard |
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| Family chapel |
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| Lots of pretty flower arrangements |
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| Stained glass |
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| Our driver George and us |
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| Current owner |
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| Beautiful carved wood doors |
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| Iron grill work |
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| Current owner and us |
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We head back to where we left the car passing a group of young boys and girls dressed in red and white clothing. George says they're going to do a dance demonstration. They are adorable and we wished we had time to wait and watch.
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| Returning to the car we pass several doors leading to more private residences |
Reaching the car we drive over to Plaza San Martin. This square contains a bust of Peru's national hero Jose de San Martin. San Martin was the Protector of Peru. He was instrumental in gaining independence for Peru from the Spanish. At the base of the statue is bronze Madre Patria with a llama on her head. Buildings clustered around this square are impressive.
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El Parque del Amor. George parks the car and waits while my husband and I walk around. This lovely place sits right next to the Pacific Ocean. We can see the paragliders and wait to see one run off the cliff but never got to see that. As soon as we turned to go a guy took off but we missed it! There are surfers in the water and people on the beach below us. Soon I see what I came for. The statue by Victor Delfin-The Kiss. It's much bigger than I expected. There's also a very pretty tile work wall and another quirky statue. A bright red heart with a hand getting ready to shoot an arrow from the bow. The arrow had a heart at its end. Vendors selling ice cream......
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| Hoping to be able to see a hang glider run off this cliff |
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| Interesting wall |
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| Pacific Ocean |
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| Surfers in the water |
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| Victor Delfin's The Kiss |
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A short drive from this park and we're at Larcomar Mall where George parks the car and again waits. I have come here to the store Ilaria to see if they have the necklace and earrings I couldn't find at their stores in Cusco. There is an interactive information display board to show where stores are located in the mall. I quickly locate the store Ilaria. I'm in luck as this store has both the necklace and the matching earrings. They're in a beautiful Chakana design. Cost for both pieces 675 soles. I'm very happy!
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| Map showing location of stores |
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| The Chakana cross design silver necklace and matching earrings I bought fro Ilaria |
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| Larcomar Mall has 2 levels with lots of neat stores |
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I tell George we're done so we drive back to the hotel. We have spent 5 1/2 hours with our driver. Cost 220 soles and I did give him a tip for being so sweet and such good company for the day. He was terrific and I can highly recommend him. Time for a drink! At our hotel bar Richard has 2 Dorado golden lager beers and I have the most incredible tasting drink. Marabuena consisting of Pisco Mosto Verde Torontel, ginger ale, passion fruit, and mint. Cost was 49 soles which we charged to our room. We also left a tip for the bartender.
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| Drinks menu |
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| I had the Marabuena which was delicious! |
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| Marabuena |
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| Hotel bar located next to reception/lobby area |
For dinner we decide on Rigoletto Lima. Taxi 15 soles. We have no reservation but are lucky and get seated right away at a very nice table. Fresh red rose and baby's breath on the table. We dressed up a bit nicer for this place and although not really necessary I'm glad we did. It's a very nice place and other diners are dressed as us so I'm glad we made the extra effort. There is a very extensive menu for all tastes. Our dinner started with complimentary bruschetta. We ordered caesar salad for us both. I ordered the ravioles alla sorrentina-filled with spinach and ricotta cheese. Richard opted for one of the evening's specials and it was an excellent choice. Fresh Dover filet with shrimp, capers, cheese, and a side of pasta aliolio. All the pasta is homemade. His entree was better than mine. I had a taste of the fish and it just melted in my mouth. But my raviloi was not too shabby by any means. We decided to share dessert-tiramisu-that was scrumptious. Every bite was better than the one before. Delicious. Cost 173 soles without tip. Taxi back was 12 soles. This restaurant is located in the Miraflores area so taxi cost was not that bad.
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| We had caesar salad |
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| I ordered the ravioles alla sorrentina |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Got to have that cappuccino! |
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| Complimentary bruschetta was great |
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| Caesar salads had homemade croutons |
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| At our table |
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| Ravioles alla sorrentino |
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| Dover filet with shrimp special |
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| Wall decorated with menu offerings |
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| Tiramisu melted in your mouth |
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| Arriving back to our hotel at night |
Back at our hotel I decide to buy the shawl/cape I've been eyeing at the Sol Aplaca store located inside our hotel. Oh no, it's gone. The woman assures me she can get it for me. She runs out and returns with the one I wanted!! Cost 349.50 soles or $106.52. I love it and it's the same one on the cover of the Sol Alpaca pamphlet.
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| Can't wait to wear it! |
Tomorrow we are doing a tour that will include time at the Pachacamac ruins and Paso Horse Show with lunch at Mamacona.
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