Friday afternoon April 4 (continued) - Pachacamac and Lima

The Temple del Sol was built on the top of a hill overlooking the region, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the surrounding desert to the south, east and west.  We were able to walk about half of the way around it.  Zenon wanted to walk to the top of the Temple as he had done before, but the path was blocked off.  Apparently there was some excavation and/or restoration work going on and the path was blocked.  

As we walked and looked around, I was surprised to see a lot of flora – the landscape was very green outside the park and it appeared to be due to irrigation.  On the south side, there were two large polo fields.  I did see a water truck watering the grass.  I will have to research more to find out where and how they get water.

There was good signage at the park, with descriptions in Spanish and English.  When we got to where we had to stop and turn around, we were looking west to the Pacific.  There was the story of Cavillaca and Cuniraya.  Among other things, this mythological tale explains how the island of Cavillaca was created.

On our way back to the entrance, one of the signs told about the springs and canals that the Incas used to create their lush garden in the middle of the desert.  I did not need to do that further research as it was explained that there were springs throughout the valley – I am guessing that the springs are fed from the water that runs down from the Andes mountains.  The Incas created a system of canals to spread the water throughout the area.  

In the same area, we also saw the Mamacona which apparently would be the Incan equivalent of a Catholic nunnery.

On our way out, they were leading the animals from where they were grazing around the museum to an enclosure where they remain overnight.  They had the largest llama on a leash, and the rest of the animals followed in their enclosure.  

Their were many beautiful plantings around the museum, including these vines that grew up and over a covered area where there were Incan women selling some very beautiful handcrafts.

After we finished our tour, we drove north back to Lima, hitting some of the Friday afternoon rush hour.  Monica works for the Fuller Center.  She is a single mother who also is a Fuller home owner.  Zenon had called ahead and told her to meet us at the El Cebiche del Rey restaurant in 30 minutes.  Because of the traffic delays, she had been waiting nearly an hour by the time we got there.  Having been in a hot and dusty environment, we were ready for a cold beer and we were served Cusqueña beer – one of four Peruvian beers, this one is from Cusco.  We had more than one of these.

Since our restaurant was named for the king’s ceviche, and since Zenon told us the restaurant was clean and safe, we had the ceviche to start our meal.  The raw fish is marinated in lime juice based juices and served in a mound with a topping of red pepper and seaweed, with sweet potato on lettuce and corn around the mound of fish.  I like seafood, but have never enjoyed raw fish, especially sushi – but this surprised me.  It was very tasty and an excellent treat after a hot afternoon in the sun.

Scrumptious ceviche - the fish and octopus are marinated in lime juice, and then served with potato and corn, and hot red pepper and seaweed on top.

I forgot to take a picture before I started on the arroz y camarones (rice and shrimp with the heads still attached)

Our favorite beer in Peru, Cusqueña

 For our entrees, Kaye and I both got rice and prawns – the prawns are served whole.  I forgot to take a picture before eating, so this photo is of a half empty after Patty and I had taken our first serving from it.  Zenon also ordered a casserole of rice, vegetables and other seafood including vegetables, shrimp, octopus and langastinos - this was shared by all.

We walked through Plaza San Martin – we saw crowds around several street performers.

We then went to El Bolivarcito – this is where the pisco sour drink was created.  

 Pisco sours are made of the brandy like pisco with a pisco syrup, egg white, ice and a dash of Angastoro bitters on top.  The drink is very strong and powerful.  

From there, we walked through a pedestrian shopping area – there are two streets which do not allow cars for several blocks.  

They connect Plaza San Martin to the main square.  Around the main square are the seats of power in Peru and Lima – the residences and offices of the President, the mayor, the bishop, the bank, etc.  Interestingly, the legislature is not there, but is several blocks away – their lack of power is obvious.  

There were also beautiful gardens in the park.  Unfortunately, I am not the best photographer – of course, the fact that I had my pisco sour and finished the last two thirds of Kaye’s pisco sour may have had a minor influence on my photographic skills.

 And then it was back to Hotel Santa Maria for our second night in Lima.