Lima Peru

Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 – at sea – nice day –
Worked on client issues. Went to my Tai Chi class. Walked about an hour on our deck and talked the entire time – it is quite the social hour to be out there. Saw some dolphins!

Black and Silver Ball at 10PM. The large theatre was covered in black and silver wall hangings, balloons, little top hats scattered around the floor…people danced and bottles of champagne were given away.

Friday, Jan 14 – Callao, Peru for LIMA
Beautiful sunny day, perfect temperature of about 80. We docked about 9AM and had the Ensemble waiting for us. Erika was the guide and Henry was our driver; we were 31 on our private city tour, tour of the Convent of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Order founded in 1535. There are beautiful glazed ceramic tiles from Seville, Spain, a library of over 25,000 volumes and the Chapel of St. Martin de Porres. The patron saint of Lima, Saint Rosa of Lima, was beatified in 1688 and canonized in 1671, is buried in the crypt. Our wonderful afternoon was spent at the private residence - Casa Luna. Owned by the Luna family, Mr. Luna is an architect with an interest/specialty in altar renovations. From his work, he has created an unbelievable collection of Peruvian crèches and nativity scenes. His goal is to maintain the history of Peruvians in the mountains and smaller regions but has also spread to collecting worldwide. Their home was one floor and they added an entire 2nd floor to house his collection. Professional, majestic, impressive collection of very small pieces of figurines made from all types of materials. We really enjoyed seeing. Mrs. Luna was with us. The house was made to entertain and they have a huge courtyard where a tent was set up (large enough for four tables for 8 at each table) and a gorgeous buffet table. Beautiful fresh flower arrangements, catered meal, waiters with drinks…The gorgeous home...the Peruvian dishes…the perfect weather of a warm breeze and sunshine...it was a special afternoon in Lima in a setting most people will not experience – another reason to book through Preferred Travel, an ENSEMBLE agency!

We arrived back to the ship about 3:50 and tried to get back in to town but the shuttles had supposedly stopped. Luckily we were still chatting to people at 5:45 and suddenly a shuttle was ready to go! Who knew!??! We went to the Marriott and had use of the internet for about 15 minutes. Enough to get the messages downloaded and a few phone calls made. The sunset through the large floor-to-ceiling windows on the 2nd floor was spectacular as the Pacific Ocean and a nice park with palm trees are across the street. It was GORGEOUS! The ride back to the ship was also nice – dusk and the streets were filling with people and life was just beginning in the South American city. Their traffic is horrible and lane markings are merely a suggestion but we enjoyed seeing the city at dark. It takes on a different view as you can see in to the houses and restaurants and people are out on the streets.

Met LIli Espinoza, the owner of Arte Qollana. Beautiful hand-painted gourds with added silver detail; hand designed jewelry. www.arteqolland.com.pe. Her crafts are also in the Hotel Swissotel in Lima.

Ran back onto the ship to try to find dinner…we had missed the buffet, the outdoor Gaucho BBQ and our 5:30 dining time but were welcomed to dine at the 8 PM seating since so many people were dining outside. There was no entertainment tonight but they showed a large screen movie in the theatre.

Did you know…Callao was the main port for Spanish commerce in the Pacific, founded in 1537. Virtaully all goods produced in Peru, Bolivia and Argentina were carried over the Andres by mile to Callao, to be shipped to Panama, carried overland (no canal then!) and transported on to Spain via Cuba.

“The world always looks brighter behind a smile.” - Unknown

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 – Lima Peru
Lima, the City of Kings, is the capital of Peru with a population of 650,000. Their currency is the Peruvian Nuevo sol. Founded by Spanish Conquistador Pizarro in 1535, it was the most important city in South America for more than 300 years. There are 43 districts and they each have their own municipal government and tax rate. Chief exports are minerals, cotton, foods (asparagus, potatoes, etc.), wool and hides.

The first railroad in South America was between Callao and Lima in 1851. The first ship to sail around the world left Callao on October 28, 1856 and returned on May 24, 1958.

Took ship’s shuttle to the Marriott Hotel and was able to work for about an hour before we were met by Mariela Chiara, a local touroperator. Toured the Country Club Hotel, a refined hotel near the golf course and private tennis club with HUGE rooms and a beautiful observatory restaurant.

Met Maria, General Manager, at Panchita’s restaurant. Fabulous!! www.panchita.com.pe
Owned by a famous chef who has taken the local food sold by vendors and brought it inside to a casual upscale grill restaurant. You are greeted by fantastic smells and a warehouse-type dining area. We should have had them order for us and NOT tell us what we were eating before we ate it…but they made a wonderful selection. They use several types of potatoes in all their meals, with rice. Our menu: Olluquito, Aji de Gallina (hen), Patita con mani (pork), Antichcho (cow’s heart – specialty of the restaurant and it was delicious as long as you could get past what it was!) and Inka Cola (yellow Coca Cola, national brand).

We took another city tour and saw a few more sights: The Parque de Olivas (olive tree park) created by Europeans and large mansions surrounding the olive park, Convent of San Francisco with 50,000 bones in its catacombs, Plaza Mayor with cathedral, their “White House” and government building, the Plaza San Martin and the Bolivar hotel, where we stayed in 1990. The city is so much cleaner and presentable now – I would like to come back and spend more time in the country!

Back at the Marriott, we worked for over an hour! Fantastic sunset over the ocean and we were on the bus back to the ship. Shopped at the pier and Gene bought me a beautiful cream colored wool cape with light brown llama fur trim. Beautiful handwoven crafts and friendly people.
Sadly, we missed the local Peruvian dance show.

“The true harvest of my daily life somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.” - Henry David Thoreau

Sunday, Jan 16 – at sea in the Pacific Ocean
Guest Chefs Mark Scarbrough and Bruce Weinstein are onboard for special presentations. Slept late, walked and exercised. Met people all over the ship and kept stopping and talking and accomplished little except enjoying myself! Gene is not well and has been resting. The other two men at the dinner table are also ill! The ship is pitching slightly and some people are commenting but we are fine. I tried to read outside but kept meeting people…. Hard to find my little corner for some “down time”.

Went to a meeting for the Holland America Line Chorale – I’m going to sing again! We will be singing a medley of songs from the 20s, 30s and 40s and begin tomorrow.
Martin Beaumont was the comedian. Worked on the computer while listening to the Neptune band.

Things I did not do today (!!):
Protestant Sunday worship at 8AM, Fitness class, watercolor, Jewish Journey, Dance Class, Tai Chi, TV production of Good Morning Amsterdam, Digital workshops, travel guide presentation, bridge classes, Explorations speaker, onboard games, spa, roulette, bingo, How to Write a cookbook, team trivia, Acupuncture seminar, ping pong, duplicate bridge, indoor cycling, writing seminar, arts and crafts, Pilates, Office talk on Environmental issues at sea, afternoon tea, chorale, stretch class, karaoke and Latin nights music!!