I arrived late at night in Lima and had almost two full days to investigate. I stayed in the hotel Continental Lima in the central historic district. Beautiful area. The traffic on some streets is horrible but similar in other cities.
The next morning I walked to Miraflores which is along the Pacific. Along the way I snapped pictures and visited shops. The Spanish architecture always is amazing.
Finally I made it to Miraflores and walked along the malecón along the ocean. The whole trip was a nice walk through neighborhoods. I love to people watch and look at architecture.
I then walked along the malecón towards love park.
There was an Incan archaeological sure nearby called Sitio Huaca Pucllana.
Earlier in the day I decided to join a night tour. Even though Lima is much safer than Quito, I would not go to some places myself late at night. Darwin was a Spanish guide (I decided to do the tour in Spanish to up my language skills. He was a great tour guide, letting me stop for a pisco sour which was invented here and listen to some Christmas music.
https://youtube.com/shorts/XrjyKTMFroQ?si=GxTMhEBIrWeYd4ZF
We also viewed a local artist show depicting the birth of Jesus
The plaza mayor de Lima
From the 16th to the 19th centuries, a distinctive tradition emerged among women known as the “tapadas limeñas.” These women wore a unique ensemble that allowed them to move through the city with a degree of anonymity and freedom uncommon for women of that era. They could interact in public spaces without being easily recognized which gave independence and social mobility.
Despite attempts by authorities and the Catholic Church to prohibit this practice—viewing it as morally and socially disruptive—the tradition
Today, the legacy of the tapadas limeñas is remembered as a unique aspect of Lima’s cultural history, symbolizing a period when women cleverly navigated societal constraints to assert their presence and autonomy in public life.
The oldest bar in Lima and they make a great Pisco sour!
And now on to the catacombs below the Basilica and Convent. Unfortunately pictures are not allowed.
Next on the tour we went to the Magic Water Show. More than just lights with water, they superimposed moving pictures. Pretty stunning.
The next morning I walked around to do a little shopping.
Bonus little Christmas parade to enjoy before checking out of the hotel:
https://youtube.com/shorts/Ad2G8d_dSoY?si=0z5J3Wjk49GJ57TU
Next stop Cusco and Machu Picchu!