We have two days at sea on the way south to Lima in Peru. The port of entry is at Callao, it is a big industrial port and about an hour from there into the centre of Lima. Lima is a large city of some 13 million people.
Homealone thought it was a good idea to have a look around Lima’s housing situation, there could be some bargains available to downsize into.
So, we go off on a tour to check out some houses and learn something of the economics of the place. It quickly becomes apparent that there are big contrasts in living conditions, like many cities in less developed countries. The road into the city is through the old port area and then some very run down former industrial areas. Housing is very basic in these parts. There is no rail and everybody is on the road getting to and from work, for many it is up to two hours each way on the clogged roads. A metro is under construction. The workforce has little time for R&R, it is a 48 hours, 6 days a week effort for all. If by chance your employer only does 5 days, it is still 48 hours. Average wages are about $US400 a month, living costs for a family of 4 $US1000 a month. So there are multiple bread winners in households in order to have enough to get by on. Pensions and social security are basically non existent. Retired parents live with their working age children. Our guide tells us there are some though on up to $US15,000 a month, a good number in between. It makes for wide living standards. Some 2 million people do not have tap water to their homes! We ponder these figures and can’t but help think how fortunate most are back in old Aus. Puts all the dramas about ‘cost of living’ back there into perspective.

The first house we are taken to doesn’t seem to be an option. The same mob have been in Casa Aliaga since 1535. Home to 18 generations of descendants from the early Spanish colonial days. Very comfortable.

The second home was Casa Garcia Alvarado, built in 1912 and remodelled in 1932. It is a sprawling home of interconnected rooms showing how Peruvian elites lived between the wars. There was an expansive outdoor area for entertaining 100 plus of your closest friends on those special occasions!

The final stop was at Casa Luna, a contemporary double story house in a well to do area. We didn’t really get to see the living areas of this house, apart from a look into a sitting room. We were actually spell bound by the tour of the upper level. Hundreds of nativity scenes from all round the world were on display, together with a few other nick knacks. The owners are fanatics of nativity scenes, what a display. Some might say over the top! How would you keep the dust down? Makes Homealone’s cabinet of stuffed animals look spartan! We made a relatively quick exit from here and headed back to the ship.
Back at the ship we had a light lunch before rejoining a shuttle bus to take us to Miraflores, also an hour away but out on the coast.

This is a well to do area and a popular destination. It is a shopping and eating destination, the main area is tucked into the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Think of about two Westfield Shopping Centres side by side.

Row after row of shop and eateries. The usual range of fast food food courts, but also some cafe/restaurants with great views over the ocean. We both enjoy having meals out in foreign parts to get an appreciation of the foods and flavours of the destination. Good for people watching as well. What turns the locals on!

In the complex we discovered a supermarket and dropped in to replenish our stock of on board peanuts. Having done this Allthego was distracted by a stand with bottles of Pisco, all in Spanish of course with a wide range of price points. Pisco is a spirit type drink made from grapes and is used for the famous local drink Pisco Sour. Maybe he looked a bit perplexed and this engendered some help from a young local couple about which Pisco to get, advice taken. They also offered eatery recommendations, real Peruvian food. So we took the recommendation up and enjoyed some local food with a fellow traveller from the ship.

Got back to the ship with our fellow traveller about 10 pm after a lengthy interrogation by security at the port gate. We weren’t in the usual big bus, but a four seater that catered for disability people. Our fellow traveller was a lady on a motor scooter. A bit of a drama as Slobro needed to get to a loo and all the sitting around was placing a lot of pressure on his stamina in that respect. Thankfully, we finally got back on board and reflected on the house hunting experience. Glad we hadn’t been able to put a deposit down!

Another day in Lima to come!