Our second day in Lima was dedicated to a two hour guided walk around central Lima. Central Lima is basically the old historical Spanish colonial district. Peru gained independence from Spain in the early 1820s.

The bus took the same route as before, along some narrow crowded streets, taking about 50 minutes to reach the drop off spot from where the walk started. It was a fairly leisurely walk on flat surfaces, bit of dodging around the masses going about their business on a work day.

These are a couple of photos of mid 1700s Spanish style houses, well preserved. Brightly coloured houses are a long historical response to Lima’s climate. For about eight months of the year, April to November, the sky is very grey. It looks like it is going to rain but it stays dry. The guide referred to it as ‘Donkey belly sky’. Caused by the Andes rain shadow over the coastal strip and currents running up the coastal waters. We were fortunate in the sun coming out around midday for awhile and some pale blue sky. Otherwise things look a bit drab!

The police are very obvious in these parts. Don’t mind their picture being taken though! But not many smiles. We have noted that when our bus leaves the port security gates a police motor cycle will follow us for several kilometres through the old port area. We were also advised that it was unwise to wander around there.

Lima is modelled very much like European cities of the same era, the Spaniards wanted it to feel and look like ‘home’. So the streets in the city centre are laid out in large grid patterns, stretching away into the distance. Authorities are also trying to get rid of cars from the centre so many of the streets are pedestrian only.

School children were also out and about in numbers and they are very inquisitive about ‘white skinned people’, where we come from etc. They also don’t mind a wave and photo!

By chance we are in Lima on the 28th of the month and witness a long tradition. St Jude’s day, every month on the 28th people line up for blocks to get into the big Franciscan church to pay their respects, bring flowers and make pledges to St Jude. Flower sellers do a great trade it seems.

The complex dates from the 16th century and the catacombs beneath it are said to contain upwards of 75,000 bodies. Although, I saw another estimate of 25,000. Still a lot!
Homealone had an interesting conversation with a local about Australian coins, he had a few in a collection including one with a platypus. Asked whether we had one with the new King yet, hoping to get one I suppose! Very friendly chap.

Our walk ended up in the large central square surrounded by large colonial buildings and the Presidential Palace. As mentioned earlier the sun came out when we reached the Square, considerably brightening everything up.

The guide had timed things well as the daily changing of the guard ceremony was in full swing. It was difficult to get up close as the Square had been closed off by police due to a largish demonstration taking place nearby. But we did get a reasonable view through the iron fence work.

This walk had been one of our best excursions on the trip. The guide was really good and easily understood.

We headed back to the ship for a late lunch and to put the feet up ahead of a late sail away. We are headed further down the Peruvian coast to the area around Pisco.