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 OceanParque De Los Amores on the cliff above the Pacific OceanArtful keyhole on the Pacific, “You on this side and I on the other like two oars.”Eponymous sculpture in the Los Amores Waterfront ParkBasilica Cathedral of Lima on Plaza MayorLooking across Plaza MayorBasilica y Convento de Santo DomingoCeviche and causa (potato casserole) for lunch just off Plaza Central at Peru GourmetLeaving Plaza Mayor on Pasaje Santa Rosa after lunchStatue of Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Conquistador
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 museumInca pottery, textiles, jewelry, and mummiesInca emperor’s adornmentsQuipu—strings and knots counting device Ancient Inca textiles—an Inca tunicSome of the extensive collection on view in open storage at the Larco Museum
A Finis Terrae 