As we head towards the outskirts of Lima through this barren land it is evident it is a poverty stricken region. Houses no bigger than garden sheds and flimsy with it litter every mound of sand. As we near Lima they appear to become more substantial giving way to thicker wood and concrete constructions, but no where is finished. This area is known as pueblos jovenes, or shanty settlements, of squatters who have migrated from all parts of Peru looking for work and education. With over 9 million inhabitants Lima is heaving with life and I can't believe the numbers of people on the streets. Lima was originally called "La Ciudad de Los Reyes " ( City of Kings ) and was founded in 1535. We stay at a nice hotel in the centre of town which has some magnificent buildings, facades, balconies and centre square. Another relaxing couple of days wandering the streets taking in the sights and saying a farewell to Pete who is sadly leaving us to join another trip due to start soon. We meet in the foyer bar at 3 pm to have a farewell drink, which progresses into several. Ken hits the scotch and Geoff joins him, big mistake ! Anyway farewells said we head off out for chicken n chips with Heather, Lisa and Vanessa. All ordered and duly served Geoff eats three chips and needs some fresh air :) I finish my meal and go to find Geoff. We head off back to the hotel but in our merry state get lost. Oh well I flag down a taxi which promptly refuses to take us having taken a look at Geoff. Geoff propped up, another taxi hailed, I negotiate a 5 soles fare and bundle Geoff in. All settled we drive approximately 100 m around the corner to the hotel. We've been had. The taxi driver shrugs his shoulders and laughs, I shrug mine and laugh, haha no money !! Once his face changed I paid him, all smiles again were back safe and sound, come on Geoff.
Having had a great time in Lima our journey now takes us to Paracas, a busy little town providing all the relevant services visitors require to stay in the national reserve and to visit the Islas Ballestas. We visit the Paracas reserve named after the Paracas winds, sandstorms that can last for three days and Islas Ballestas which are all part of this reserve. It's a bleak place, beautiful in its own right and one of the most important marine reserves in the world, with the highest concentration of marine birds. It is also an important region due to being the major producer of guano, fertiliser, from mainly the guano cormorant and the Peruvian booby.
We bushcamp in the reserve right on the beach, brilliant, and the following morning take a high speed boat out to the islands to view over half a million birds, incredible.
Adios for now,
Tony x
1-3. The road into Lima, paper thin 'sheds' living accommodation
4-11. Lima central square, beautiful buildings, military band and marching.
12. Ken through Geoffs beer goggles
13. What a plate of chips, Geoff sat next to Lisa and managed three chips :))
14-15. Paracas national reserve.
16-25. Bird life on Islas Ballestas, Peruvian boobies, Inca Tern, the odd seal, pelicans, incredible amounts of bird life.
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