Welcome to Lima

Touched down at 5:11 am right on time.  Have to say that the LAN plane was very nice.  We made it through customs with only one couple missing luggage. Since it was so early, it was hard to determine exactly what the weather was or would be. Arrived at our lovely Hotel Carmel and checked in to what feels like a suite.  This room is huge - with a kitchenette, jacuzzi tub - it is bright and sunny and just two blocks from the heart of Miraflores.  Took a short nap, when we awoke, the sun was up and the skies were clear and the temperature is a lovely 75 degrees.  We have to enjoy it now, because it is cold and raining where we are going next.

Stopped at the desk after breakfast for a map and guide book and headed out.  Our walk took us through Central Park and KennedyPark,which is surrounded by local artists selling their wares,  to the Municipal Building and a beautiful church that was in the middle ofSunday Mass. We ran into a bicycle advocate group that was holding a special event this weekend.  We were too late for the bike Lima tour, but we got invited to join their "critical mass" event this evening at 5pm and cycle Miraflores.  Fantastic!  Just what we love.  Continued on and got some information atthe information center and decided to head towards the ocean.  As we got closer, we got a taste of the infamous Lima fog.  They have a huge market area on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.  It resembles Quincy Market right down to the same stores.  We had lunch at a place that wasn't American and set off again back to the Central Park to try to catch the 1:30 tour bus.  Made it back in plenty of time but found out the tour was 4 hours.  Couldn't do it - besides we would miss our 5pm bike tour.

Walked some more down to the Peruvian Arts & Crafts - no big whoop there.  Think we will hold off souvenirs till we get to the villages.  Stopped for a coffee break and headed back to the hotel to rest up for some biking.  Most of our group was sitting in the lobby waiting for their tour bus.  We were invited but turned them down - theirs was only 3 1/2 hours but still a long time inside a bus.  We will have plenty of that to come.  I don't think we will miss too much.  Would rather be out with the people on the bikes.

So, I am sitting here typing and resting and hoping the Celtics are whipping the Heat.  Later...
Just listened to the end of the game streaming WEEI - technology is a wonderful thing.  Celtics beat Miami 85-82.  They ROCK!

Got it together after the game and went back to the park to meet up with the biking group.  Oops - not leaving till 6pm.  More time to kill.  There was plenty to see.  Sunday is big stuff here - dancing in the park, flea markets, lots of people watching.  We did some more walking and then went back to Jose to get our bikes.  I settled on this funky little one that at least had hand brakes.  It was a real trip to ride.  Geoff got the beach cruiser.  It took a bit of time to organize but eventually we all took off.  Have to say there were around 50 cyclists.  We did a great tour of the city with a beautiful ride down by the shore at sunset.  Too bad I couldn't stop to take some pix.  There was a photog riding with us taking shots, so we may end up on their web site in a day or two.  Will let you know.  We had a blast, made some friends,  and were real happy we decided not to go on the tour.

Got back to the hotel at around 7 to find Betsy and Glen (our youngest members) at the front desk asking about dinner places.  After much discussion, we all decided to go out together to a small place G & I spotted in our travels that was close.  We were all pretty tired.  Their 3 hour tour turned into 5 hours - doubly glad we didn't go.  Took a quick shower and we all headed back down the street.  Split a grande portion of cerviche which was to die for.  Geoff & I split the Chiliean Sea Bass - another good dish.  B & G had some ravioli thing that was also tasty.  There was good conversation - turns out their son works in Burlington, VT at the University and one of their daughters goes to Wellesley.  They hail from outside Chicago.  We had a wonderful time to top off our wonderful day.  Hope we can manage to keep our spirits high in the rains at Cuzco.

Back in the lobby, ran into Cora who notified us that Rusty was not feeling well.  Hope he recovers soon.  Also hope those other people get their luggage at the airport tomorrow.

"When do we put the luggage out?"  7:00am  "What time does the bus come?"  7:15am

Next time ... Cuzco, Peru