Lima, a modern city

After 16 hours we arrived Lima and hopped in a taxi to get into town. We checked-in a hostel in the Miraflores area which is the upper-class quarter of Lima. Actually it didn’t feel like Peru at all and we were surprised about all those American Food Stores. But it was a nice area to stay in and we strolled through the Kennedy Park which you could actually rename “Cat Park”. I haven’t seen so many cats in my life, it was kind of weird.

We walked down the Malecon and had a great view of the ocean with Lima’s skyline. At the Larcomar shopping mall, situated on a clifftop, we observed the sunset and where surprised about the prices. This was definitely the posh place of Lima.

In the evening we met with Sandia’s cousin Flavio and he showed us some really nice bars in Barranco and Miraflores. It was great to get some insider tips and he handed us a card for the Metropolitano bus service.

This is the best way to travel around Lima but damn, it was super packed. So the next day we squeezed into the bus to go downtown and explore the center. The Plaza Mayor with its beautiful Cathedral and the wonderful restored Palacio del Gobierno is the main square in Lima.

Flavio recommended us the Museo de la Iglesia y Convento San Francisco with its monastery and catacombs. The English Tour was really interesting and especially the crypts and catacombs with skeletons of over 70 000 people was fascinating.

But we had enough of big cities and the next day we continued towards Huaraz and its snow-capped Andes. Let’s get in the bus again.

Accommodation: Kokopelli Backpackers, Calle Berlin 259 (1 block from Kennedy Park)
                                www.hostelkokopelli.com

Price: PEN $ 35 p.p., 4 bed dorm, shared bathroom, wifi, kitchen

Comment: nicely located in Miraflores, big rooms with big lockers