Except for a few hours spent in Quito, Ecuador, Lima was my first contact to South America. I was ready to discover this lively city that didn't fail to impress me, even though I was skeptical at the beginning. I've stayed in Lima for a few days at the start of my trip in Peru and then a couple of days at the end. The experiences were different. If the first time I was overwhelmed by the expanse and contrasts of the city, at the end I felt relaxed and I spent my time strolling through places I already knew and liked.
Colonial architecture, archaeology, museums, plazas, churches, modern or crowded and poor neighborhoods, paragliding over the coast, tons of very good restaurants, hidden nice cafes, pisco bars, beach, handicrafts markets, etc. give you a glimpse of how hectic this city can be. I assure you that this metropolis is also a very calming place if you know exactly where to go.
I loved to get lost among the bohemian streets of Barranco and I looked for hours at the ocean from the seaside promenade between Miraflores and Barranco.
In Miraflores district, for a couple of seconds I even had a small feeling of Gaudi's Barcelona when I saw the curved colorful mosaic benches from Park of Love. This is not a big park and not a must see in Lima but a quite place to enjoy a sunset over Pacific and the smooth glide of the flights lovers. I bet you know the common saying "never put off till tomorrow what you can do today". Well... I did exactly the opposite of the saying and I missed the chance to enjoy a tandem flight over the coast due to lack of wind. I left Lima with the promise that one day I'll be back to fly away.
The historic center of the city is a touristic attraction but it's worth a visit for its beautiful Plaza Mayor, Lima Cathedral, Museum of Religious Art, Government Palace and San Francisco Church and Convent. I don't like catacombs and I still don't know how I ended up visiting them. While the guide explained us how the catacombs were part of Lima's old original cemeteries built under churches, I was only thinking that we are in a claustrophobic place, in a country situated at the boundary of two tectonic plates, the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate. I rushed through the catacombs and two hours later, my vision came true with an earthquake. In conclusion, don't make any "wish" while visiting the catacombs of San Francisco Church and Convent :)
Colonial architecture, archaeology, museums, plazas, churches, modern or crowded and poor neighborhoods, paragliding over the coast, tons of very good restaurants, hidden nice cafes, pisco bars, beach, handicrafts markets, etc. give you a glimpse of how hectic this city can be. I assure you that this metropolis is also a very calming place if you know exactly where to go.
I loved to get lost among the bohemian streets of Barranco and I looked for hours at the ocean from the seaside promenade between Miraflores and Barranco.
The wooden Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros) is the landmark of the charming Barranco. The legend says that if you make a wish and then you cross the 31m length of the bridge holding your breath, then your wish will be fulfilled. I couldn't put the legend to the test though because the bridge was in renovation so I've only left with the legend and the song Puente de los Suspiros, Chabuca Granda.
The historic center of the city is a touristic attraction but it's worth a visit for its beautiful Plaza Mayor, Lima Cathedral, Museum of Religious Art, Government Palace and San Francisco Church and Convent. I don't like catacombs and I still don't know how I ended up visiting them. While the guide explained us how the catacombs were part of Lima's old original cemeteries built under churches, I was only thinking that we are in a claustrophobic place, in a country situated at the boundary of two tectonic plates, the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate. I rushed through the catacombs and two hours later, my vision came true with an earthquake. In conclusion, don't make any "wish" while visiting the catacombs of San Francisco Church and Convent :)
At the end, let me introduce you to my favorite restaurant in Lima, La Mar. This is the place where I've eaten the best sushi ever!
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