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The alarm was set for 6am. Ruth and I were up and eating breakfast at the lido a little after 630 am.
Per Jean, our fearless leader’s instruction, we met our group of 21 in the Splendor Lounge and all got off the ship together at 730 am.
We climbed aboard the small free shuttle vans that everyone must take to get off the pier and piled out at the terminal to patiently wait for our tour bus. The terminal has no services with the exception of 2 fairly clean Bathrooms wit running water but no other amenities.
We met Ricardo Galvez our Tour Guide ~
You can find info regarding his tours at ~ http://www.tagtourperu.com/
tel: 4511 998822707
and his driver, Pedro, riding towards us in a plush, fancy and comfortable BMW Tour Bus
= 8 am. We all pretty much had our own set of 2 seats as people scattered towards the back of the bus. Ruth sat in the jump seat & we stowed her scooter under the bus in the luggage bay.
Our tour began with Ricardo telling us a little about Callao and Lima History.
Callao, founded by Pizarro and the Conquistadores, is the gateway to Lima. The Peruvian capital is the cultural and economic heart of the nation and once served as the seat of power of the Spanish Empire of South America. In 1988, its historic center was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its historical buildings from the Spanish colonial era. Tourists cannot miss the catacombs of the Convento de San Francisco and the monumental Plaza Mayor with its 16th-Century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace.
We all took in the sights along the way on a 10 km ride from Callao to Lima where we got out of the bus & walked around to see & take pictures of the Plaza the Armas, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
One of the pictures I will put here later is of Ruth sitting in the driver’s seat of the bus – waiting for everyone to get off before they lift her down. She makes a pretty good driver, don’t you think?
Running along two sides are arcades with shops: Portal de Escribanos and Portal de Botoneros. In the center of the plaza is a bronze fountain dating from 1560.
Located in the Plaza is the Cathedral, with splendid carved stalls, silver covered altars surrounded by fine woodwork, mosaic covered walls bearing the coat of arms of Lima and Pizarro. Next to the Cathedral is the Archbishop’s palace. And standing in front of it was Chilean policeman in full gear and shields at the ready. I asked to have my picture taken with all the muy bonito guys & they obliged me. Ooh la, la!
Next we all walked & Ruth rode along on her scooter via curb cuts to the XVII century Monastery of San Francisco, famous for its Silvillian tile work and paneled ceiling in the cloisters, the catacombs under the church.
When we entered the gate, Mass was taking place & there were 2 children feeding the pigeon in the square while other people busily ambled along going here and there.
Ruth made it thru most of our tour of the Monastery on her scooter but could not go down the steep steps into the catacombs.
We did a little shopping inside the church from a man who intricately carved gourds of all sizes with llamas, children, & Peruvian life as it once was. His prices were very inexpensive.
We loaded up the van once again and headed thru old colonial streets in the centre of the city to
modern Lima ~ the district of San Isidro & Miraflores.
On our way we paralled the beach and stopped at Lovers Park overlooking the ocean. There were ocean and park views to take pictures of as well as a huge sculpture of two lovers in the middle of the park. Many towns’ people were enjoying sitting on the grass in the sun taking in beautiful views, while their kids ran around and played.
We loaded up the van once more and drove to the Indian Market where we had arranged to spend 1 hour looking & shopping.
The Indian Market is isle upon isle of a multitude of Peruvian handicrafts& jewelry shops. Prices were reasonable and everyone came away happy with their purchases.
We loaded the van up once more and began our 17 km ride back to Callao in our plush, BMW bus!
Our driver dropped us off right at the ship where we found several stalls set up while we were gone selling Peruvian wares and you guessed it we all went to see what they had and shop a little more!
Quodos, Jean ~ This was a absolutely wonderful Tour!
Per Jean, our fearless leader’s instruction, we met our group of 21 in the Splendor Lounge and all got off the ship together at 730 am.
We climbed aboard the small free shuttle vans that everyone must take to get off the pier and piled out at the terminal to patiently wait for our tour bus. The terminal has no services with the exception of 2 fairly clean Bathrooms wit running water but no other amenities.
We met Ricardo Galvez our Tour Guide ~
You can find info regarding his tours at ~ http://www.tagtourperu.com/
tel: 4511 998822707
and his driver, Pedro, riding towards us in a plush, fancy and comfortable BMW Tour Bus
= 8 am. We all pretty much had our own set of 2 seats as people scattered towards the back of the bus. Ruth sat in the jump seat & we stowed her scooter under the bus in the luggage bay.
Our tour began with Ricardo telling us a little about Callao and Lima History.
Callao, founded by Pizarro and the Conquistadores, is the gateway to Lima. The Peruvian capital is the cultural and economic heart of the nation and once served as the seat of power of the Spanish Empire of South America. In 1988, its historic center was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its historical buildings from the Spanish colonial era. Tourists cannot miss the catacombs of the Convento de San Francisco and the monumental Plaza Mayor with its 16th-Century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace.
We all took in the sights along the way on a 10 km ride from Callao to Lima where we got out of the bus & walked around to see & take pictures of the Plaza the Armas, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
One of the pictures I will put here later is of Ruth sitting in the driver’s seat of the bus – waiting for everyone to get off before they lift her down. She makes a pretty good driver, don’t you think?
Running along two sides are arcades with shops: Portal de Escribanos and Portal de Botoneros. In the center of the plaza is a bronze fountain dating from 1560.
Located in the Plaza is the Cathedral, with splendid carved stalls, silver covered altars surrounded by fine woodwork, mosaic covered walls bearing the coat of arms of Lima and Pizarro. Next to the Cathedral is the Archbishop’s palace. And standing in front of it was Chilean policeman in full gear and shields at the ready. I asked to have my picture taken with all the muy bonito guys & they obliged me. Ooh la, la!
Next we all walked & Ruth rode along on her scooter via curb cuts to the XVII century Monastery of San Francisco, famous for its Silvillian tile work and paneled ceiling in the cloisters, the catacombs under the church.
When we entered the gate, Mass was taking place & there were 2 children feeding the pigeon in the square while other people busily ambled along going here and there.
Ruth made it thru most of our tour of the Monastery on her scooter but could not go down the steep steps into the catacombs.
We did a little shopping inside the church from a man who intricately carved gourds of all sizes with llamas, children, & Peruvian life as it once was. His prices were very inexpensive.
We loaded up the van once again and headed thru old colonial streets in the centre of the city to
modern Lima ~ the district of San Isidro & Miraflores.
On our way we paralled the beach and stopped at Lovers Park overlooking the ocean. There were ocean and park views to take pictures of as well as a huge sculpture of two lovers in the middle of the park. Many towns’ people were enjoying sitting on the grass in the sun taking in beautiful views, while their kids ran around and played.
We loaded up the van once more and drove to the Indian Market where we had arranged to spend 1 hour looking & shopping.
The Indian Market is isle upon isle of a multitude of Peruvian handicrafts& jewelry shops. Prices were reasonable and everyone came away happy with their purchases.
We loaded the van up once more and began our 17 km ride back to Callao in our plush, BMW bus!
Our driver dropped us off right at the ship where we found several stalls set up while we were gone selling Peruvian wares and you guessed it we all went to see what they had and shop a little more!
Quodos, Jean ~ This was a absolutely wonderful Tour!
Since my parents are on the same cruise (Florida to California), I'm using your blog as daily insight to their adventures.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the excellent reports!!! Great job!!!!
If you happen to meet or bump into Bill & Joan Salus - Cape May, NJ tell them Billy & Cynthia (their Son & Daughter In-Law) say "Hello". Passing this message along would really make my mother's day and leave her questioning "How did Billy do that?".
Thanks again for the excellent reports and keep the updates coming.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Billy & Cynthia Salus
Clinton, NJ
Hi Grace, Dave and I miss you and Ruth. We are enjoying your blogs. I want to send you an email but we don't have your address. Ruth has our addresses. Please send us an email.
ReplyDeleteIt sure feels good to be home. We are enjoying our own bed and all our computers and televisions.
Jo and Dave Myerly