Preparing for Machu Pichu

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We thoroughly enjoyed our sojourn in Lima, especially the last few days exploring the avenues of Miraflores on the coast. Much of our time is spent being active, which is great, but we also need time out to rest up, recover from jetlag and more importantly reflect on our time in a different place. This is one way in which it differs to a fortnights holiday. We also agree with our friend Michael ( working a year in St Helens) that time is quite a miraculous concept in that our time away has flown by and yet seems a long time. A long time away from friends and family and now that it is less than 4 weeks we are increasingly getting excited about our return. We hope for a warm and sunny summer ahead, as you all must, but feel like we have had the best possible weather in the southern lands, for over five months. Just hoping it wont rain for our last stop that will be Rio!

We have discovered a real gem in Cusco, where most people pass through and miss out on a beautiful city of terracotta roofs, spanish colonial architecture and ruins dating back to the Incas. It is also full of flowers, fountains and cobbled streets lined with cafes and peruvian handicrafts- beautiful! We spent 3 days acclimatising to 11000 feet to avoid sickness. We took advice from quite a few travellers in Lima, who had suffered.

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Photos

Central Market, Santiago, Chile
This one is for the Rudges; the roof was made in the Black Country!

Paris-Londres Barrio, Santiago
Street behind our hotel

Miraflores Street, Lima, Peru
They say Lima is like San Francisco with many misty days so they paint the houses to brighten it up.

Miraflores house
Miraflores is a wealthy barrio of Lima by the sea.

St Martins Square, Lima
This a large, open square with flowers and fountain, fronted by beautiful colonial buildings.

Square Major, Lima
We watched the changing of the guards at the Palace.

Police on duty with riot shields.
A peaceful easter saturday in Mayor Square, Lima.

Modern buildings in central Lima
Lima is known as the city of balconies, and whether iron or wood, art deco or italianate they add to its charm.

Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Sitting in the sun on a balconied cafe overlooking central area, and town built up into the hills the view is spectacular.

Comments

[Gill and Rob]

trip
Looks great - what a journey you have had - can't believe it is almost over. Weather still very cold here but dry for last 2 weeks - rain expected this week. It is the Easter hols so have been helping out with Grace - had her for sleepover last night - early morning today! Look forward to seeing you this summer to hear all about your travels. Take care. Love Gill and Rob,. xxxxx

[liz]

Count down
I cant believe you on your last week. In some ways it seems long time and some ways its over in the blink of an eye. Just re-read all your blogs and havent you done a lot. Ha.Hope we get to see you over the bank holiday. I have an extra day off! All our love Liz, Scott, Megan, Lee, Kim and a talking Mollie!