We arrived around 9am but weren't allowed to disembark until close to 10am. We needed to take a port shuttle to the main gate as this is a very busy fare. We were able to get on the very first 14 passenger shuttle and when HAL staff saw the number of people waiting to get to the main gate, they added a one time full size bus to take the remainder of the people. Just outside the gate our guide, John Paul, greeted us. Our group of 14 then boarded a nice Mercedes van and we traveled to the Pachacamac Inka Pyramids where we spent 3 hours before driving into the heart of Lima.
At the town square (which was closed off due to possible protests) we enjoyed ceviche #6 on my quest for the ultimate ceviche. It was really good. We were also able to visit city hall and an exquisite mansion where Simon Bolivar once stayed. The sanctuary and catacombs at St. Francis church was an interesting tour with its collection of bones of parishioners who paid money for the privilege of being buried under the church. Afterwards we were able to walk through the now open main square which is in front of the cathedral and presidential office building.
On the way to the van, we stopped for some light snacks (tapas) before heading over to the Water and Lazer light show at Parque de la Reserva. It was an excellent show and I took many pictures and a few videos. We then were driven back to the Callao San Miguel Park where we caught another shuttle back to the ship and we arrived around 10pm after a very full 11 hour day!
Some Lido comfort food was the need of the hour and they served some giant scallops which hit the spot! We talked with friends who had just returned from a disappointing Galapagos Island trip. By now it was time for some needed rest as there was scheduled a visit to a shanty town tomorrow.
I should add that the traffic here is horrific. And the topes (speed bumps) are frequent and kidney jarring to say the least!
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