LIMA PERU

Sunday March 8 – Early up and about for a quick four hour tour of Lima, the capital of Peru and the fifth largest city in Latin America.  Our ship docked in the port city of Callao which is part of the metropolitan area of Lima.  According to our on ship's "blurb", Callao retains its own place of importance alongside the capital city as Peru's largest port.  Nicknamed El Primer Puerto or the First Port, Callao dates back to 1537, two years after Lima's founding.  Although the two cities have become one urban area, Callao still retains its own identity, and its residents are known locally as chalacos.  One gets the impression that there may be a slight effort to keep the two locations separate and independent while still cultivating the appearance of unity.      Our tour included a 30 minute drive through what appeared to be low income housing and commercial areas into Lima's main square, the Plaza Mayor.   Lima is properly proud of the beautiful colonial architecture of the buildings that surround the plaza and especially of the beautiful old balconies that adorn the buildings in what seems to be a definite reflection of a bygone era and lifestyle.  We viewed the grounds and exterior of the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace from the Plaza before going on to San Isidro's Huaca Huallamarca, a pre-Inca burial site and then on to Parque del Amor, a popular park named after its contemporary statute dedicated to love.    From Parque del Amor, we viewed the long ocean swells that develop into large surfing waves that reminded us of our grandson, Sean, who we thought would love the challenge provided by the surf.  From there, we were also able to view the beautiful beach restaurant that sits among the rocks where the sea meets the beach.  Our tour concluded at the Indian Market where Peruvian wares of souvenirs, silver, sweaters and pottery were available for a negotiable price.  From the market we returned to the ship and an afternoon of varying levels of interest in on board ship activities.  Ken is fighting the cold that has been a constant companion aboard ship, a malady in which I understand and sympathize.  I am finally in the throes of concluding my stint, but everywhere coughing is a "tune" frequently "hacked".   Our day was concluded with a Peruvian folklore presentation aboard ship, followed by the usual amenities of dinner, entertainment and that often repeated restful relaxation of sleep.   Peru is a poor country but I felt that it reflected a state of cleanliness a shade better than some of the South American countries we have visite.  The communities through which we traveled seemed to be a "tad" better than most and distinctly improved over the favelleas (or shanty towns) that adorn the major cities of Brazil.    I continue to marvel at the stupidity of rhe human race.  South America should have been a region viable as a great power and independent.  Instead, man's lust for power and desire to maintain a status of isolationism and protectionism has resulted in the stagnation and withering of a potential force for greatness .  In these dreary times, I cannot help but wonder if this, too, shall be the fate that will ultimately be the finale to my country's great hope and promise.   Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

ARICA CHILE MARCH 6 2009

Friday March 6 – Arica, Chile.  After our 8 hour delay in search and rescue for our overboard passenger, we arrived Arica just after noon.  Needless to say, the overboard passenger was not found and is apparently, lost at sea.    Few details have been released on a formal basis but "ships gossip" and formalized statements reflect that the passenger was a 63 year old male whose spouse and other family members were aboard.  A note was left at 430AM.  The wife of the missing guest notified the ships staff at 930A after the note was found suggesting possible suicide.  At that time a search and rescue operation was launched back to the point at which the guest was last seen.  This operation was conducted under the direction of the Chilean Navy Coast "Guard.  Our ship was released from the search and rescue operation at sunset on Thursday and we proceeded to our next destination.  There have been no details beyond this and I suspect that no other information will be forthcoming.   I did not go ashore in Arica.  Ken and several others of our group took tours that they thought interesting and informative.  Bill and Diane and Charles and Joan did a "walk about" down town and found the city to be a pleasant little town. I had the impression that the city itself rated above some of the other ports where we have stopped but that, of course, always reflects personal preference.    The population of the city is said to be approximately 200,000 but one of the tour guides stated the population as 188,000 with 44,000 military. Known as the "City of the eternal spring" Arica was founded by Spanish Captain Lucas Martinex de Begazo in 1541. Inasmuch as there is no obvious springs from whence water flows, I presume that the term "eternal spring"  is a reference to the spring like average in temperature which is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.   The city was part of Peru until 1880 when it was taken by Chilean forces during the War of the Pacific.  Arica is Chile's northernmost city and is an important port for Chilean ore.  Arica provides Chile with strong transportation ties to both Peru and Boliva with separate railroad lines to both countries.  Arica is said to be one of the driest inhabited places on Earth as measured by average annual rainfall precipitation of 0.03 per year. Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be