Tour de Pisco

Today started out with an above average complimentary breakfast buffet at our hotel.  I enjoyed sipping multiple cups of coffee while chatting with Ari and Keith, and helped myself to some amazing eggs and fruit & yogurt.

After breakfast we jetted off to El Centro to hit up a few must sees on our itinerary, all of which turned out to exceed expectations.  The taxi dropped us off at the Plaza de Armas right in front of the Catedral.  We peaked in the Catedral to see the impressive baroque that fill the room, but a mass was in progress so we didn't end up taking a tour.  The Plazas signature bronze fountain was undergoing restoration, so we were unable to see that as well.  However, it didn't take away from the fact that the immense amount of pride and patriotism could be felt throughout the Plaza.  The Plaza de Armas is not only the location where Jose de San Martin declared Peru's independence from Spain, but is also adjacent to the Palacio de Gobierno which is the official residence of the president.  We were lucky enough to witness the changing of the guard ceremony at noon.

Lima - El Centro View

The Crew at the Plaza de Armas

Getting Ready for the changing of the guard

We shopped around town for a while, almost buying everything Alpaca from hats to pillows and even cat beds! In the end we decided not to purchase anything since our cats don't sleep in cat beds, and Scott had already lost an Alpaca ball while trying on his hat. ha.  

Scott trying to hold his Alpaca ball on!

The Convento de San Francisco is one of the most visited sites in Lima, and we found out why.  Although the tour felt a little rushed, we were able to see the beautiful architecture, fascinating private library, quaint courtyard and even go underground to see the earthy remains of 75,000 people.

Getting Ready for the Tour!

I had to get a postcard since no photos were allowed

The catacombs site made us hungry, so we headed to Tanta for some authentic peruvian cuisine.  I seriously don't think it is possible to get bad food here.  We had the most amazing lunch, and some strong Pisco sours.  This is actually what started our Pisco tour for the day.

Holy Moly that is lunch! 

More yummies

Cheers!

We tried to take 10 selfies, but Scott rescued us..... Keith forgot his selfie stick.

We ate so much food that we needed to walk it off a bit.  We headed to the other side of town to see the to the Plaza San Martin.  While walking through town we stumbled upon one of Lima's volunteer fire departments, and was fortunate enough to befriend a retired fire captain that gave as a full tour.  We later made it to the Plaza and decided to pop on in the Gran Hotel Bolivar to take a peak at the lobby and grab another Pisco sour! 

Walking the streets

Scott doesn't like to take a day off

Plaza San Martin

More Piscos and Keith hiding behind the green screen 

We grabbed the first cab we saw and headed back to Miraflores.  We were on a Pisco binge, and were convinced that none of the Pisco's in El Centro topped the ones we had the night before at Brujas de Cachiche.  The only option was to have the cab drop us off there, where we enjoyed our 3rd Pisco of the day.  We determined that it is the blended ice in the drink and the cup that make their Pisco better than the rest.

3-4 who is counting?

We headed back to the hotel to shower up for dinner.  We had made reservations on the terrance of Huaca Pucllana. It turned out none of us were hungry after all the eating and drinking we had done for the day, so we opted out of dinner and went on a tour of the only half uncovered 1500 year old pre inca ruins.  

The Crew at the ruins

Ari, Scott and Keith at the Inca Ruins

Inca Ruins

The next stop was to be Barbarian Brewery, but Keith wasn't feeling so hot, and I had enough to blog about, so we headed back to our hotel.  I look forward to hearing about the Brewery from Ari and Scott.  By the looks of Facebook, I'd say they are having a great time!

Salute from Ari and Scott!

Well folks, I need to get to bed.  Tomorrow we head to Cusco!

Thanks for reading,


JenniferMarie