May 10 - City of Kings, Lima Peru

Well, we said goodbye to Bobby last night in Quito as he flew home to Vancouver and we continued our adventure south to Peru. Today we explored this ”City of Kings” founded in 1535. Lima is the capital of Peru and lies on the country’s arid Pacific coast. Though its colonial centre is well preserved, it‘s a bustling metropolis and the third largest city in the Americas measured by population living within city limits (and not metropolitan areas), after Sao Paulo and Mexico City. Lima has a city population of 8.9 million people and based on the traffic they all drive their own cars! By comparison New York City is 8.5 million people, while Calgary is 1.2 million people and ranks 46th on the world’s Top 50 city list! I have to say we feel a bit like the country mouse in this dynamic megalopolis!

The view from the mall in Miraflores. This has to be among the most expensive real estate in the world and just across the street from our hotel, the JW Marriott. The marine layer at this time of year is thick and lasts most of the day.

Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas, Lima

Central Train Terminal in old Lima

Plaza Mayor, formerly Plaza de Armas with the Palacio del Gobierno (Government Palace) in the background, the official residence of the President of Peru.

Debb encounters a hard working Indigenous Mother in el Centro historico. Beautiful people.