Home

Monday October 1 – Guayaquil to Lima
Our flight was at 9:45 but the airline required us to be there 3 hours before, so we had a 5am wake-up call, early breakfast and departure from the Oro Verde.  Mabell was most efficient at shepherding us through the formalities and soon we were all in the departure lounge.  Some of us wandered through to shops and picked up a few things.  The flight was quick and we arrived in Lima to be greeted by our local guide, Fidel, and driver Jimmy. The sky was so very overcast and Fidel told us it stays this way from May to November, then the skies clear until May.  But it never rains, there’s only ever mist.  Water comes from 3 rivers that run from the Andes.

Our first stop was the wonderful La Rosa Nautica restaurant.  We and Cathy had eaten there 5 years ago and it had been a most memorable and enjoyable experience.  It was great to go back and not be disappointed.  There is an Arab summit in Lima this week, so a huge police presence.  Fidel said that all 5-star hotels are under intense security and we certainly see it at the Estalar Miraflores where we’re staying.  Unfortunately it also meant we couldn’t visit the main city square since it was cordoned off by security forces.  We were all happy to get to the hotel.  Sadly that’s when we said good-bye to Heather, Dennis, Elsie and Brock, who were all catching the night flight back to T.O.  We were delighted to find roses and fruit in our room – gifts from Claudia’s mom and dad.  We rested for a while then the 8 remaining Intrepids met for a drink.  We returned to our room for a light supper while the rest had soup or salads in the dining room.  Early to sleep in the big comfortable bed.

01 Oct Photos

Next Day 02 Oct