Lima
It bears repeating that the Peruvian coast is desert. Drifting sand dune hot desert. It’s mostly barren and trash strewn, but for some reason north of Lima, people have seemingly dropped tiny pre-fab wooden houses out of the sky. I can’t imagine why.
The edge of Lima seemed to appear out of nowhere. First desert and then sprawling city. The drive from the northern edge of Lima down to Miraflores could be described as a marriage test. We passed, but just barely.
Once we arrived in the Miraflores neighborhood, things started to improve. We quickly found another hostel on the overlander trail (The Hitchhiker Hostel, recommended by Trish and Mike) where we found two more vehicles. One with California plates and the other German.
We get to park and pop the top in their tiny walled compound for just a few bucks. Not bad, considering its in the heart of Lima’s nicest neighborhood.
We hadn’t really read up on Lima, but assumed we wouldn’t like it. We don’t like driving in it, but so far the rest seems okay. Since we have been known to judge an area by proximity to sushi restaurants, Miraflores scores big. We’ve already found three just a few blocks from where we are staying.
We were a also little surprised to find out that there are ruins only a few blocks down the street. A large pyramid complex completely surrounded by modern concrete and steel apartment buildings.
So, our plan for Lima is to rest up a bit and enjoy the conveniences of a modern city.
Stock up on some supplies. Try to find a replacement electronic ignition (my old one got mysteriously fried at Diegos). Find a new deep-cycle battery for the solar panel/fridge (we’ve got a dead cell). Heck, maybe even try to score some new pants, since most of mine now have holes.
And, it doesn’t hurt that we’ve already met some really cool people. Lorna and Steve have that California-plated 1970 Land Rover and are headed south too. They started in Arcata, CA and still have another year to go – hopefully we’ll run into them again. Good people.
The German couple, Norbert und Hannelore, have already driven all over the world and are now on their way to Alaska. If you’re in the states, keep your eye for them later in the year.
WOW that green baja is odd dual remote old style vw oil coolers and I am guessing those other things are part of the intake /air cleaners
one word: TRAIN.
As always, if you need parts sent, feel free to drop me a line.
-P
Two tips to find deep cycle batteries:
a) near marinas is usually a good starting point, as all boats need them
b) in Lima I noticed two companies making/importing travel trailers, both along the highway out of town (I mentioned them in our camping list http://www.dare2go.com/campingSA.html#Peru )
Funny, I wanted to add as a tip to go and eat sushi – but you guys found some already!!! I still have fond memories of eating sushi in Lima…
mark- I saw those old oil coolers and I knew somebody would appreciate that! The other things are intakes for the dual carbs – I guess they didn’t fit!
una palabra: TREN.
Super Cool! I stayed at that Hostel a couple years back! I fly a Paraglider. I went with a friend of mine for just over a week. I had been there before. If you’d like, you could try paragliding. You leave the hostel, go right to the Ovalo ( roundabout). Take the first right, then the first left on to Jorge Chaves. This should run you down the street to the park. I think they still fly from there, they may be going outside of town to do Tandem flights. All of the guys are Great. Rainer and Lucho are my 2 favorites. Right at the end of the park is a nice Seafood restaurant, I forget the name. Puente Sal, sound right. Another AWESOME spot to eat is Punte AZUL. They have a dish called Tres Colores. IMHO – it’s the BEST. You can walk to it from the hostel. Ask around or Google. It’s on the east side of Larco (street). Also on the Corner of Larco and Ernesto Diaz Canseco, is a place that looks like a swapmeet. I think it’s called La Quinta. I got 2 pairs of good quality jeans there for $12 US each. Peru is so Cheap!!
Hope that helps. I really enjoyed my time in Peru. I would like to go back some day. I am on FB if you have any other questions.
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