Last Day in Peru - Lima

The last day of our trip we spent in Lima, Peru

 we took a flight out of the airport in Juliaca

 we got to our hotel, The Hilton Mira Flores(thanks Trisha).  Can you tell I was excited about the rooftop pool?

 They also had the best lounge chairs ever!  We got a room upgrade due to Joel's status with the hotel, so were able to use their executive lounge - heaven!

 watching the sunset on the cliffs above the beach

 We got to go to the temple in Lima

 This building beside the temple houses the cafeteria, distribution center, and rooms for people to stay in who have come from a distance away.

 This is our taxi driver, Nestor.  He is just amazing, if you need to go to Lima get him to drive you around.  He is funny, speaks english very well, and is willing to teach you spanish phrases.

 they had so many beautiful parks in Mira Flores (it means look at the flowers)

This was the view at our boarding gate at the airport - we counted 15 wheelchairs, it actually turned out to be 20!  I have never seen so many people in wheelchairs waiting to board.  

If you ever have the opportunity to go to Peru take it.  It is a beautiful country with wonderful people!

The Island of Taquile

On the same day we went to the reed islands we also went to the beautiful island of Taquile. 

 The people that live on the island were born there and live their entire lives on that island.  The men and boys knit- hats, scarves etc.; and the women and girls weave- all manner of cloth.

 Joel at one of the entrance arches, before we climbed the hill of death!

 The island is as peaceful as this picture suggests.  The people are shy and quiet and there are no dogs like in most other places in Peru

 enjoying the scenery

 we thought this was a creative use of old shoes!

 our lunch started with a pot of quinoa soup

 we finished with local fresh trout, rice, potatoes, and vegetables

 cute little girl in the town square

 this girl was selling the bracelets she had woven,  we bought 5 for about 35 cents

 getting ready for the town meeting

 just so lovely!

what happened to our boat?

The reed islands

Today we took a  trip out to the reed islands.  These islands are made out of the reeds that grow around the edges of Lake Titicaca.

 trying to stay warm on the boat

 here are the reeds that the locals cut and use to build islands, houses, towers, and boats.  They also eat the reeds sometimes.

 you can see here the thickness of the islands, about a foot thick, also one of the huts made of reeds

 some of the local women showing how they cut the reeds

 they even have gardens on the reed islands

 a typical home made of reeds

 this little boy was busy playing with wooden blocks

 This was our guide, Alex

 Joel preaching to the isle of Los Uros

 The homes they live in are square, the round huts are used for storage or cooking.  This was a kitchen.

 Occasionally a motorboat will come around selling food and things not found on the island.  Here a boy is buying candy.

 They always have very bright, colorful costumes

 clay pottery

 sometimes they get very creative with their towers

 colorful scarves for sale

The island of Utama, the mormon island

Andean Explorer

On our fifth day in Peru, we took another train, called the Andean Explorer, from Cusco to Puno.

 In the train station before departure were these musicians and dancers.   I guess they were supposed to get us excited for the ride.  I love the beautiful colors on their costumes.

 This is the lounge car of the train and further on is the observation car,  glass enclosed with a complete view of your surroundings.  We spent most of the 10 hour trip in the observation car.

 I know it is weird to take a picture of a bathroom but this is the best one we had seen since leaving the United States!

 Here is where we spent most of our time, taking pictures.

 a view of the rest of our train

 a village across the river

 gorgeous views!

 locals working in the fields

 beautiful farmland

 just love the look on that little boys face!

 They move everything for the train then return to the tracks once the train has passed.

 prideful and entitled?

 our first look at the Peruvian llamas

 every good-sized town had an LDS chapel

 our first choice of taxi was full. . .

 our second choice of taxi - too breezy

third choice of taxi - too fancy!

Tomorrow we head off to the reed islands and the island of Taquile!