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Chuck Todd
Loving traveling though South America, especially loved my Machu Picchu tour.SouthAmericaTraveler
Travel Blog Posts
Penas Tradicionales while Traveling in Peru
Published: September 24th 2012South America » Peru » Lima
September 24th 2012
In Peru, a traditional Pena is a place, usually a bar/restaurant that also has a stage towards the center of on large room. On this stage, a band will usually play folkloric traditional music. This music, though, has come not just from Peruvian culture, but actually from the clashing and mixing of the African American cultures with that of the locals. This is considered an Afro Peruvian culture. The Penas in Peru, and Lima especially, are great places to go to experience an age-old tradition that dates back to when Lima was filled with Haciendas. Along with music, usually there are performers that will dance in the middle area of the room, but when I went many of the people eating eventually made their way up to the dance floor with a partner. Some of the ... read more
July 27th 2012
Within ten minutes of entering the National Reserve, I had already lost myself in the vastness of the open and barren desert. As I traveled father into the park, the tour took me to some of the fossils that still remained in the ground. I learned that the entire desert area around me used to be completely under water and that these fossils were crustaceans from millions of years ago. It was only when the landmasses began to shift that the ocean slowly receded and left miles of barren wasteland that has only recently been discovered to have secrets beyond belief. In fact, in the past century, over 400 mummies, prehistoric fossils, and bones and remains from the animals that previously inhabited the ocean floor have been uncovered. After investigating the fossils scattered throughout the desert, ... read more
June 21st 2012
As I start my journey down the Malecon, a long stretch of path, parks and cafes that overlooks the ocean below, I cannot help but notice the peace and tranquility of my surroundings. I walk past the greenery surrounding a local cafe while usually for the most past not paying attention to my surroundings and looking over at the ocean below as the numerous surfers paddle out. Today, a more overcast day than usual, there are a great number of surfers out in the waves and even more people trying to sell surfing lessons on the beach, which is a common add on for Peru tours. On a whim, I decide to walk down to the beach, not knowing it was quite a trek, but about ten minutes later, after descending numerous stairs, following the road ... read more
February 28th 2012
As I set off for my morning adventure to Las Islas Ballestas, the tour began with a long explanation of how these islands came to be, and with a 30-minute boat ride ahead, the guide spared no detail. Basically, millions of years ago where Las Islas Ballestas are, a huge mountain range stood that even today gives the Andes a run for its money. But as the crust of the earth shifted, the tectonic plate where the Andes mountain range is now, once a flat plain land, collided with that of the gigantic mountain range. The plate that held the unknown mountain range ended up sliding under the plate that the Andes are on today, and over a period of a few million years, the tectonic plate of the unknown mountain range began to push the ... read more
February 6th 2012
Considered by some to be one of the greatest displays of architecture in all of South America and a must see on South America luxury tours. This monastery was completed as a church in the year 1674 and until 1821, had functioned not only as a church but also as a burial tomb for the masses. Servants, slaves, and others without money were granted the underground catacombs of the monastery as a final burial ground. This was mostly due to the fact that the richer families were usually buried in their own churches, cemetaries, or tombs. The poor did not have those options though, and were buried underneath the church in wells around 20 meters deep. Between each body a fine layer of sand was put to help with the decomposition of the body in a ... read more
February 1st 2012
Following the design of a city by the order of King Charles I of Spain, the Plaza de Armas in Lima is considered to be the birthplace of the city and one of the finest main plazas in most of South America. Founded by the famous Francisco Pizarro, the Plaza de Armas of Lima also takes much of its importance due to the buildings that surround it. Across the street from the central square, the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Town Hall, and the Government Palace all stand proudly around the point where the city of Lima was founded. Also surrounding the Plaza de Armas of Lima are buildings such as the Casa Riva-Aguero, Casa de Aliaga, and Museo del Banco Central de la Reserva, which are artifacts in their own right, architecturally ... read more
January 23rd 2012
Known as one of Lima’s highlights when in food tourism, the Surquillo Market is one of the most unique and extensive markets that I have ever seen. Famous due to the attention and praise it received from the famous Peruvian chef, Gaston Acurio, this market has also often been considered a gastronomic center of Lima, and even Peru. South America luxury traveltypically incorporates visits to famous restaurants like those owned by Gaston, but the true culinatry delights of Peru come right from the marketplace. The market is open daily, and its plethora of food and spices includes fruits from the exotic Amazon rainforest, potatoes and chilies from the distant mountaintops of the Andes, and fresh seafood from the beautiful towns that scatter the coast of the country of Peru. When I stepped out of the cab, ... read more
January 9th 2012
One place in Lima, Peru that many tourists fail to visit is Hill San Cristobal, called Cerro San Cristobal in Spanish. The hill is part of the Rimac valley mountain range and got its name in 1535, shortly after the Spaniards erected a large cross on the side of the hill. The site was selected because it was the closest hill to the majorly populated areas of Lima, meaning the majority would be able to see and visit the cross. Since its construction, the cross has stood atop the hill looking over Lima, and although damaged by native tribes over time, it has prevailed. On a clear day (unlike the one when I visited) it is possible to see most, if not all, of Lima from the side of this hill. Even on the day I ... read more
Discovering Calle Capon and Chifa in Lima, Peru
Published: January 6th 2012South America » Peru » LimaJanuary 6th 2012
Since the late 19thcentury, the Chinese people brought their culture to Peru through architecture, gastronomy, and many other areas when they immigrated as contract laborers or “coolies” as they were called. Before long, they had their own communities and their culture began to mesh with that of the age-old Peruvian culture. As the two cultures came together though, the Chinese were not the only one to benefit, and as a matter of fact the Peruvian culture took a few very important things from the Chinese. Today Chinese cuisine as well as inspired arts and dances crowd the streets of Calle Capon, Lima’s main Chinese district. One of my favorite parts about taking South America vacations and traveling to new places is learning and seeing how different cultures blend to make up the modern culture of a ... read more
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