Janola Rambles: Lima --Paracas--Huacachina

Of course, we had to try some Inca Cola

We spent another couple of days in the historic Downtown area of Lima. SO HOT. But, we found some relief inside two museums and an historic hotel. The Mineral Museum (aka El Museo de Andres del Castillo) was situated in what was once an elegant home built in the 1860's. The tall ceilings, tile floors, windows and arches all over the home allowed for some respite from the heat. Not only was there an amazingly huge collection of crystals, gems, and metals, but also a small collection of pre-Colombian textiles (small) and pottery (bigger). The crystals were neat, but after a while it all looked the same, probably because they had about 50 examples of each one. There were some cool examples of native gold, silver, and copper. Not just the ore, but the actual metal attached to rock. There was also a phosphorescent room. The pottery came in fun shapes, and we were delighted to be able to recognize so many animals! There were cups, jars, and dishes that looked like penguins, birds, dogs, monkeys, even a flat fish and sea cucumber! Unfortunately, we could only take photos in one part of the museum, so you'll just have to go to Lima to see for yourself.

That's one big piece of pyrite and galena

We also went to the Lima Museum of Art (Museo de Arte de Lima), where they displayed artwork from pre-Colombian times up through the colonial period and into modern times. Also housed in an enormous colonial building, my favorite part was the textile room. Not only because I work with textiles (knitting!) and could relate to seeing yarns, fabrics, and even an box belonging to a spinner, complete with a set of drop spindles and roving, but because it was the only room that was air conditioned.

Woman with spindle--pre-colombian

Museum window overlooking a park

Entrance to Lima Museum of Art

Incan Quipu, or talking knots

Pre-colombian spinner's box, complete with roving and spindles

Pre-colombian snail pottery

Enjoying some functional art

Not hot enough, we decided to spend part of the early afternoon watching the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the presidental palace.

Just a snippet of excellent, precision marching.

Then we tried to cool off in the Gran Hotel de Bolivar. I was soooo happy for the pitcher of frozen lemonade!

Air-conditioning and a pitcher of frozen lemonade! And our first taste of papas de huacachin.

Grand Bolivar Hotel- Lobby

Grand Bolivar Hotel-- Lobby Ceiling

We caught the evening Magical Water Fountain Show, not realizing that everyone else in Lima was going to be there. Fortunately, it is a big park and the evening was cooling down. Watching the fountains was refreshing.

This isn't the show, but some nice effects.

Finally, we headed out of the city and to the quiet beach town of Paracas. It was a bit cooler, being on the water and smaller so no big buildings to retain the heat, but it was still hot! We took it easy for a couple of days here. We spent on afternoon on the beach, rented an umbrella and chairs, thinking that would protect us. (Froody still got sunburned staying in the shade!) I got burnt, even though I was being careful! I am in my Winter skin right now and I hoped to get a start on my Summer tan. Oh, well.

We did take a boat tour of Ballestas Island (Isla de Ballestas). Not only wonderful to be on the water again, but so much wildlife!! Here's the list of what we saw: a South American many-rayed starfish, Peruvian pelicans, Peruvian boobies, South American Sea Lions--fathers, mothers, and pups!, Inca Terns, Magellanic Cormorants, red shore crabs, barnacles, and Humboldt Penguins!!

Janola and Froody

Stinky but lovely rock formations (full of bird guano)

Inca Terns on the rocks

The next day we headed further south, to the oasis of Huacachina. On the way, we toured the Paracas Nature Reserve. Beautiful desert bordering the ocean. Unfortunately, Froody woke up with a case of Paracas Belly. Fortunately, he made it to Huacachina without incident. :-)

So, Froody stayed in our quiet, air-conditioned hostel room to rest and I went out and lived!! I took a dune buggy ride! It was a huge machine and fit 9 of us eager tourists! And in the late afternoon, the desert was full of these buggies. Part of the fun was getting out and sandboarding!!! It was so fun!