Peru, Chile, and Easter Island—Part 1

A trip of a lifetime to the Andes Mountains and the west coast of South America. Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Nasca Lines, and Colca Canyon were some early highlights. From there, Paracas on the Pacific coast of Peru, and Santiago, the capital of Chile, opened the path to Easter Island. The iconic Moai statues and the mysterious people of Rapa Nui who created them remain intriguing.

First Stop, Lima—the Capital of Peru

We got off to a rough start with airline delays and equipment troubles. But we made it onto the flight to Lima, Peru.

On our first stop, we toured the city of Lima by private coach and on foot. We started out along the Pacific coast then headed inland toward the historic city center.

View from the western edge of Lima over cliffs above the Pacific Ocean
Parque De Los Amores on the cliff above the Pacific Ocean
Artful keyhole on the Pacific, “You on this side and I on the other like two oars.”
Eponymous sculpture in the Los Amores Waterfront Park
Basilica Cathedral of Lima on Plaza Mayor
Looking across Plaza Mayor
Basilica y Convento de Santo Domingo
Ceviche and causa (potato casserole) for lunch just off Plaza Central at Peru Gourmet
Leaving Plaza Mayor on Pasaje Santa Rosa after lunch
Statue of Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Conquistador
>> Museo Larco—Treasures from Ancient Peru <<

From the museum’s website: “In 1926, at the age of 25, Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the Museo Larco. With the help of his father, he managed to acquire several archaeological collections from Peru’s northern coast, bringing together some 45,000 pieces.”

The Larco Museum, truly, a national treasure.

Flower-shrouded entrance to the museum
Inca pottery, textiles, jewelry, and mummies
Inca emperor’s adornments
Quipu—strings and knots counting device
Ancient Inca textiles—an Inca tunic
Some of the extensive collection on view in open storage at the Larco Museum

NEXT: Cusco and Machu Picchu

Unknown's avatar

Author: Carlo

Retired systems engineer and management consultant turned aspiring travel and technology writer.

One thought on “Peru, Chile, and Easter Island—Part 1”

  1. A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I have been drafting this weblog for more than a year now due mostly to reviewing, editing, and deciding which of thousands of digital photographs to include or exclude. Each new voyage has added to the workload and delay. Earlier this year, I decided to go ahead and publish it in draft form. I will continue to edit and finish incomplete and draft posts. Thank you for your patience and persistence. I look forward to having you along for the ride.

    Like

Feel free to leave a comment or question in reply. Thank you.