Chorillos - Fish on the Beach

The Mothers' Day craft exposition in the park was pretty disappointing, but we enjoyed looking at all the paintings along the sidewalk. This was followed by a jaunt down to Chorillos for lunch at Los Pescadores, the little fish shacks on the beach. This is some of the best fish around and we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, sitting out on the little porch drinking beer and eating fried fish (after the starter of ceviche). It was disappointing to see that the area is now fenced off and we realized later that, although we could have walked around the complex to get to the beach for a walk, we didn't do so. Just the fact of fencing it off from the beach made us forget about a beach walk. Sad. Wonder why they have done this.

She's Back!!!

Madelle did Machu Picchu - and she's got the photos to prove it!

Madelle Returns

As we anxiously awaited Madelle's return from Machu Pucchu, we enjoyed a nice lunch at one of the neighborhood “menu” restaurants over on Petit Thouars. Nice sitting outdoors and chatting over nice ensaladas de palta (avocado salads) and fried fish. Including rolls and fruit drinks this place charges a whopping 8 soles ($3 US or so)! In the evening, after Madelle's return, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite Italian places 5 blocks from our house, El Bogedon. The trip to Machu Picchu went totally smoothly and met or exceeded Madelle's expectations. We were all excited to see her and hear about the trip. We'll get to see her photos later.

Photography Tours

For anyone hooked on travel and photography and in love with Peru, this article talks about a tour company with a different twist. It sounds intriguing. Not sure it's something that's going to work for me, but I might at least consider doing their Lima Photography tour one of these days to check it out.

Our People

Nice day for a walk. We had talked about doing another museum, but didn't get around to it. Later in the afternoon we went for a really nice walk, over to Ovalo Gutierrez, down Comandante Espinar to Jose Pardo, then down to the Malecon and along it til we got to Punta Sal, where they refused to invite us in and feed us lunch just because it was after 5 o'clock! So off we taxied to La Favorita for sandwiches and a visit with our “people,” as Larry has come to call our friends there.

Museum Day - & Pisco Sours of Course

 Larry and Gene and I spent most of the afternoon wandering through the Museum of Archeology, Anthropology, and History in Pueblo Libre. This is one of the few museums that Gene and I had actually been to before and it is awesome. I need to get busy and get out there to see the other hundred or so museums on my list of things to do and see.After all that museum walking, we needed to rest and have a cold drink, so of course Pisco Sours were in order at the charming old nearby bar called Antigua Taberna Queirolo. We'd like to go back there soon. Cool place for drinks and snacks. When Madelle heard about it and saw the fotos, she informed us that she wants to go to this cute bar for pisco sours one afternoon, too, so I'm pretty sure we'll be back!

Our First Guest Author

As of this morning, we have invited a guest author to our blog, the intrepid Larry, historically our most frequent commenter on our postings. Traveling at the moment, Larry is using a laptop which is giving him trouble with suddenly jumping to the wrong part of his text, thus making writing not a whole lot of fun. But hopefully he will at least be able to check in to tell us a bit about his first trip to Peru!
Larry's "spiritual advisor," the amazing Madelle, who is currently roaming about Machu Picchu, will also be invited to contribute a bit or two about her travels.

Having a Fabulous Time with our Guests

El Domingo en El Mercado

   

Madelle and I strolled through the Indian Market in search of the perfect small purse for traveling. It took a while, but we found it. She is now ready for her solo trip to Machu Picchu! After our little shopping expedition, we stopped by el Mercado de Surquillo for lunch. From the amazing number of offerings of fabulous food, we chose to share a causa and deep fried trucha, which turned out to be perhaps the most delicious fish I have ever eaten in my life. We decided we would have to return next week to do this wonderful experience again, and bring Larry and Gene along. Meanwhile we took home some beautiful cabrito (goat) and pato (duck) for them.

Huacas, Peruvian Food & Friends

What more could you ask for?
 

We did the tour of Huaca Pucllana, which is a fascinating piece of history 2 blocks from our house. A great tour for 10 soles, too. I think everyone enjoyed it and learned some things. We hadn't been there in a couple of years. After this we had a nice walk down to Jose Pardo and over to Parque Kennedy. In the evening, we had a great Italian meal at La Bodega de la Trattoria, in easy walking distance from our house, right across the street from Huaca Pucllana. On the walk home we got to see Huaco Pucclana at night, which was another interesting photo op.

Kapallaq - One of the restaurants we hope to try soon

A new article in Living in Peru reminds me that we MUST get over there and try this beautiful little place before they move away from our neighborhood. Unfortunately I think they are only open on weekdays, so I'm not quite sure when we will get there, but it's gotta be soon. The place is total charm!

Power Suits

This New York Times article describes the beautiful ancient tunics currently being shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as Power Suits of the past. Interesting article about the history of this incredible "wearable art."

Beautiful Day with Friends

Walk on the Malecon (park walks along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean), Parque del Amor, para-sailing, pisco sours. What more could we ask for?

How nice to have guests...

It's the third day of Madelle and Larry's visit and how lovely to have them with us. So far we have taken them to the Malecon and lunch at Mango's then a walk back to Parke Kennedy and cafe at La Favoritas. This weekend is a little of a challenge because it's Easter weekend and many places will be closed. But Laurie is busy finding out what is open and what we should see.
I am enjoying the conversations with Madelle and Larry. I'm sure that Laurie will have more to say about what is happening and also posting pictures. I just wanted to add my thoughts so far.
Gene

Update....I took a walk and our morning coffee bakery is open and so was the bakery around the block. :-) And... the streets were almost devoid of traffic! Great day for a walk. 

Malecon, the Mall, Mangos for Lunch

After a relaxing morning with great conversation, we headed down to Larco Mar with the idea in mind to do their buffet in order to begin to introduce our friends to the great variety of wonderful foods of Peru. Unfortunately we found that they were not offering the buffet because of holy week. Huh? Although I was very disappointed by this, we managed to create our own variety by ordering ceviche and a bunch of starters to share. Add some Pisco Sours and it was pretty damned good. And of course we got to show them the awesome view out over the Pacific Ocean. After all that food, we managed to walk back up to the center of Miraflores and stop for coffees at La Favorita. Gene and Larry grabbed a taxi back to the house with a supply of wine, while Madelle and I walked through Parque Kennedy and had a pleasant walk up the boulevard to home.

They're Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today's the Day!

We'll be meeting our World Traveler friends Madelle & Larry at the airport - infections, surgery, tax season, sleep deprivation, nothing can keep them down!
Wondering what they'll want to do their first day in Peru, after 18 hours or so of travel!

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Peru makes the list (of course!!!) of top restaurants in the world at
The Top 50 Best Restaurants

Our First Visitors are On Their Way!

With the help of my friends at Expat Peru, I have put together a list of things to do - some of them are Must-Sees for the first time visitor and others are ideas so that our guests will see the many options for the fabulous experience which is Lima. M will be doing a trip to Machu Picchu and we are all excited to hear about her experiences, but that will still leave nearly two weeks to try to hit their priority items.
Things to Do & See:

• The Magic Water Fountains ***
• Peña - probably Brisas de Titicaca ***
• Walks on the Malecon ***
• Huaca Pucllana *
• Museums - many to choose from depending on what interests them the most
• Park walks *
• New Gastronomy museum
• Lima Centro walk *
• San Francisco Monastery
• Barrio Chino
• Barranco
• Mercado *
• Meet some of our new friends
• Concert
• Mirabus

Places to Eat:

• Astrid y Gaston *
• El Kapallaq *
• Menús*
• Lobo del Mar
• Mangos
• Los Pescadores - Chorillos
• Tia Gramanesa's Anticuchos *
• Rosa Nautica *
• Punta Sal
• Rincon Chami
• El 10
• Tanta
• Mercado de Surquillo
• Patagonia (Tango night) *
• La Mar
• Pecado Capitales
• Cordon Bleu Cooking School

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Good to be Home

After a rushed trip to the States, it's good to be home, walking our favorite streets, eating our favorite foods, trying to catch up with our busy friends, and (ta-da!!!)  getting ready for our first visitors to Peru - our good friends Madelle and Larry, who will arrive next week. We are excited and busy making lists of things to see and do.

Elections: Lima Stock Market Drops

In front of a certain run-off between Ollanta Humala and Keiko   Fujimori, Peru President Alan García said “the country is sufficiently  solid  to maintain its direction.”

Peru Votes Today

Today is election day in Peru. At least 20 million Peruvians are expected to go to the polls to vote for the next president as well as congressional representatives. It is expected that none of the 10 presidential candidates will win the majority needed to win, and thus there will be a runoff election in June.

Laptops for Schools

Peruvian President Alan Garcia has announced the expansion of the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program and the establishment of local facilities for the manufacturing of XO laptops in the country.

Wonder if any of our Friends in Costa Rica attended This

San Jose, Costa Rica, Mar. 31 (ANDINA). With tasty traditional dishes like ceviche, escabeche de pescado and the famous pisco sour, Peru’s Tourism and Export Promotion Board (Promperu) delighted the palates of those attending the PPeru Mucho Gusto food festival in Costa Rica.

Peru at the Top of the List Again

Lima, Mar. 31 (ANDINA). The Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, has been voted best airport in South America for the third year running by Skytrax Research at the 2011 World Airport Awards in Copenhagen.