18 Hours in Lima
Eighteen (18) hours is 75% of a day.
That’s just enough time to spend inMui Ne.
If I am having a good-and-healthy day, I would be awake for 18
hours and be sound asleep for 6.
Eighteen hours is short for Lima. But I wanted to make the most
out of my trip.
I had a midnight flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Lima. Sab was
kind to drive me to the airport. It was easy to pass time in LAX. I hated it
though that I had throw out the water bottle at the checkpoint.
I TRIED to sleep during the 9-hour flight to Lima. Um, NO. Lan
Airlines’ in-flight entertainment was too interesting to pass up. So I watched
Part 1 of the Divergent Movie series. Coincidentally, the ebook was on the
tablet I brought. So bye bye sleep.
 |
| Lima Airport |
The plane landed smoothly early in Lima Airport. I booked at a
night in Lima Backpackers in the residential neighborhood of Surco. Marco sent
me detailed instructions how to find the place. First, I withdrew some Peruvian
Soles from the ATMs at the airport. But the machine only dispenses amounts up
to S/. 400. Hassle. I had to withdraw another S/.400 to cover the next few days – that’s another
set of bank charges. I tried withdrawing above S/. 400 in other ATMs to no
avail. Irritating.
The Green Taxi just outside the arrivals area charges S/. 55
going to Surco. They offer dollar rates but I chose to get the soles (when
converted, the dollar rates are higher by $5). You settle the price before you
ride the taxi. I was being charged with S/.75 at first until I pointed the
ssign. They just said “Oh yes. Okay okay.”Marco's tips definitely helped.
Ride took more than 40 minutes but we found the place.
My bed was still being fixed. I merrily chatted with some people
hanging out at the living room for a couple of minutes. A couple just did an
almost round-the-world trip for nine months and they were flying out of Lima
the next day back to Netherlands. I would like to that someday
tooo….*starry-eyed*
Hunger and adrenaline kept me out of the very comfy mattress.
Marco invited everyone to go to a good restaurant for lunch. I quickly accepted
the invitation. At 1:30 PM with no sleep and proper meal, I was famished. It
was a long but pleasant walk going to the restaurant.
I was counting the seconds until our food arrived. I was famished. Meanwhile, I tamed my hunger eating these...pop-corn like appetizer on the table.
S/. 27 for this awesomess – Ceviche wins over Kilawin. I’m sorry
kilawin. The lemon tastes better on raw fish vs. vinegar.
 |
| Rice, squid and CEVICHE! |
After that late lunch, I still had two
hours of light to explore the Plaza Armas. Marco gave me a bus card, a map and
instructions how to find Plaza Armas.
I failed in finding the bus stop. I asked a bystander how to get
to Plaza Armas via bus. Luckily, she spoke in English. She advised me it would
be better for me to hop on a taxi and tell the driver to take me to Plaza
Armas, and do not pay more than 15 soles. I only had less than 3 hours of
sunlight so I followed her advice.
 |
| Gas station at the corner of the neighborhood |
The ride took around 25 minutes, with minimal traffic as we
approached the city center.
 |
| Cathedral of Lima |
 |
| The church was not captured in full |
 |
| Important buildings around |
Working out the selfie stick was a challenge. This is another
skill to master.
 |
| Selfie-stick struggles. Argh. |
Exploring the side streets. Lots of souvenir shops. I wasn’t
interested in buying anything. I tried to withdraw in other ATMs but I only
found the ATMs of the same bank, similar to the one in the airport. They only
give 400 soles max. Boooo. Oh well. I had enough for to last me until I reach
Cuzco after a few days.
I grabbed another taxi when I started losing light. There's plenty in the city center. I showed him the map. I wanted to pay for 15 soles too but he wanted to charge 20 soles because of traffic. I cannot argue effectively in Spanish so I gave in.
I was in bed by 9:00PM. I set an alarm for 3:00AM. I had an early flight to Cuzco!
'Twas a short and simple visit. The ceviche made the stopover worth it.
Comments
Post a Comment