We’re leaving Peru today, a country with so much to offer and its colourful people and culture. From mountains to the shores of the pacific. To be honest Peru has really tested us both mentally and physically. It’s punished us more that Bolivia, but it has it’s good moments too it’s still a great place to see in South America.
We’ve known Maria for years and finally we’re going to meet in person. We’re flying to Bogota Colombia, if we can ever get a flight out of Lima sorted.
We pre-booked all our internal flights around Colombia with a relatively new player in the market of budget low cost carries Viva Colombia. All was going fantastic until 3 days ago when we tried to book our international flight from Lima to Bogota. Their website would make the reservation and even give us a booking number, then it would reject the credit card payment. Not to be discouraged we tried yet another two credit cards only to get the same result. Elena tried emailing them, still we couldn’t get the problem sorted. They have no office in Lima so we thought we’d go to the airport and try to get everything sorted there. We spent an entire days and once the check in staff (with a lot of effort from us) tried to talk directly with the Colombian Office they came up with “Sorry you’ve missed the check in time for today”. So they tried for tomorrow, only to enter the credit cards over the phone with the same problem we had encounter for the last three days. It seems we can’t get on a flight with Viva Colombia. Not we have to hunt frantically to find an alternative that won’t cost thousands more. And we need to be in Colombia within the next 48 hours to connect with our internal Colombian flights.
We’ve paid for a hotel in Bogota that’s not refundable due to the cut off time for cancellations and Viva Colombia won’t admit any fault with their system (although with a little research there is plenty of evidence that points the finger squarely in their direction). We’re now stranded at Lima International Airport frantically searching for anything that will get us to Colombia. Our whole trip is like a house made of cards. What ever we decide to do will dramatically alter the rest of our planned trip.
Im scared to even talk to Elena as she looks for flights. Finally some hollow success. We’ve managed to secure a flight with Aivanca. Using some promotional points system we’ve picked up flights for $1000 on a 2 for 1 deal. Sure it’s more than Viva Colombia and we’ve lost one hotel in Bogota, but we’re still moving north. The sacrifice will be that we’ll be just transiting through Bogota and onward to Cali, three hours later than our original plan.
Which means well we’ll get one more day in Lima. Finally I’m going to celebrate the city by doing a walking tour and getting to try a Guinea Pig.
The walking tour starts in Kennedy Park and our guide is here early, we’ve got 20 minutes to wait before our tour starts. Walking through the park we notice that there are at least 50 stray cats and people feeding them. its so strange to see cats just lying around the park in the gardens and lawns.
The guide gathers us all up and we make tracks for the local busway that runs to the historical downtown area. Even though it’s a free tour theres a small matter of paying for the bus that needs to be taken care of. 250sol sees you right and we all chip in and pay for our ride. As our group is large we have to get off at one of the main stations to allow others to get on and to be able to get off. But with only 2 stops its not far before we’re off the buses and into town.
The historical area is incredible, there are so many styles due to the fact that Lima has had many earthquakes over the centuries and this has resulted in a mixture of building styles through the periods for time.
We’re taken to an old electric train station that was built in 1924, however with the cheap use of oil it was abandoned and the tracks pulled up in favour of the motor car.
We walk out onto a bridge and are told about the river that passes through the city, I remember that Francisco our guide from Peru Hop advised us not to cross the bridge, and as if the guide knew what we we’re thinking advised us that its not the safest place in town and that it’s a large area and we may get lost. hmm I thinks he’s glossing over the danger and trying to tome things down.
The last spot on our tour involves sitting down to try the local Pesco. We’ve done this before but not with as much detail and explanation. Even if you’re not into old buildings and walking around town, this part of the tour is a must do.
Completing the tour we not had only one more box to tick before leaving Peru, tonight we’re dining on Cuy (Spanish for Guinea Pig)
Our guide gave us a great restaurant that serves the famous Peruvian dish and it’s not long before its bought out and attracts the attention of other diners. What’s it taste like? Well its skin is like pork crackling but without the risk of breaking your teeth and the meat is a cross between pork and chicken. Sadly they’re small and to get a good feed I’d need a couple more, but at 48sol each I’m happy to have tried the dish.
Wayne eating Guinea Pig
Now it’s up to us to make our way back on the bus, but thats not before stopping at one of the discount designer stores to for a little retail therapy.
