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We should be thankful to the Incas for the potato chips, mashed, roasted or baked potato that we are enjoying today. I’ve read in an article that the Incas pioneered the cooking potential of the potato and lead the way in cultivating them many many years ago.
Finally, we are now in the port of Callao, the largest and most important port in Peru. The port is facing the Pacific Ocean and is about 12 kms West of Lima City, the capital city of Peru. The ship made fast alongside the pier before 8AM today on a windless and sunny Tuesday morning (Peruvian time) – a typical Peruvian weather according to the tour guide.

Today I was a tour escort for the tour to the colonial district of Lima. The tour highlights the majestic colonial architectures at Plaza Mayor, the main square and the site of the Archbishop’s Palace with its beautiful wooden balconies, the yellow colored town hall, the Government Palace where Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro took up residence in 1538 and the grand Cathedral where an on-site museum housing the remains of Francisco Pizarre is to be found. All buildings at the main square are of Spanish influence resulting from the over 300 years of rule by Spain. The tour went on for a visit to the 17th-century San Francisco Church Monastery, only walking distance from the main square. The monastery has plenty of antique paintings on its walls and ceilings of cedar wood. The ceilings were constructed using no nails but plainly putting it altogether similar to a jigsaw puzzle. Unfortunately, taking of pictures is not permitted in the area.

San Francisco Church

On the way to the district of Lima this morning, I noticed how congested the traffic was. The streets are so narrow with just few traffic lights controlling the heavy flow of taxis and buses. I hate traffic so I was thinking in my seat if there are expressways or free ways going to downtown Lima. Later along the way, the tour guide announced on the PA that the route we went through was along Lima City’s old district and suburbs. Traffic flow in this part of Lima City is always congested at all times during the day. All buildings in this area are of strong colonial influence though much of the buildings were renovated many times after being damaged by earthquakes. We also passed by a square dotted with old buildings in similar design and color. Those buildings are actually offices, restaurants and hotels. All business establishments here have to keep the aspect of the area to look colonial – you will be surprise to see a McDonald’s or a KFC displaying their trademark colors in a otally different way. I’ve seen a Western Union without the bright yellow background billboard but the words Western Union engraved on a wood.
After the tour, the bus took another route back to the pier. This time we were given the chance to glimpse the modern day Peru. We were all given the option to drop off in front of Marriot Hotel so we could hang around. Some disembarked from the bus and the rest proceeded back to the ship including myself. I’ve seen Peru’s colonial and historical district on the first day. The ship is staying in port until the 5th of March so I still have time to visit the modern district of present day Peru - if not tomorrow maybe the day after tomorrow.

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