Day 13 - The Plunge from the Highlands to the Coast

Today, we left Huaraz and headed south to ride the high plateau (14,000 ft) running alongside the highest peaks in the Andes to find the road that would take us down to sea level to go to Lima.

It would be fair to say that we experienced nature in a majestic setting today.  Snow capped mountains, high valleys, rivers, canyons, open skies, good people everywhere, and challenging roads.  

After the 14,000 ft high valley, we plunged down on a steep road full of switchbacks, through canyons that rapidly changed into very arid surroundings as they made their way down to the coast.  Interestingly the coast was enveloped in thick fog and was colder than up in the highlands. Go figure.

The ride to Lima on the coastal road was interesting as we made our way through thick fog and up and down some coastal mountains.  Interestingly, through the fog we could wee that this whole area was extremely dry and full of sand ... and full of trash.

It is puzzling that given today's global cultures, Peru still tolerates a culture where it is accepted to dump trash everywhere ... plastic trash bags, plastic bottles, decomposing stuff ...everywhere. You can even see people throwing trash out of their cars and buses on to the street. 

We finally made it to our hotel through the expected heavy traffic of a large capital city like Lima. More video game practice.  After a hot shower at the hotel, that felt like heaven, we headed out to explore the city.

We ended up at the sea wall.  Lima is actually built on a plateau that rises 500 ft immediately from the beach and the breaking waves below.  A great and unique setting.  We saw paragliders zooming by in the sky, surfers in the ocean, people at the parks, and people in general out and about enjoying a nice and foggy Sunday afternoon.

It is comforting to know that it does not matter were you are in the world, people are people. And, being reminded of our universal connection to all people is always worth a little reflection. 

At the well know Larcomar shopping center, which hangs over the cliffs overlooking the ocean, we visited the stores, watched people, and took on the whole Lima city life. 

After buying some Alpaca made things, we had dinner at a well-know seafood restaurant to enjoy Peru's world renowned cuisine.

Tomorrow we head to inland to Huacachina to enjoy the sand dunes there.  

The view from my room in Huaraz

A quick stop for a break and a drink

She is having breakfast and watching cartoons

Spectacular views from the 14,000 ft highlands with the Andes in the back

The switchbacks taking us down from 14,000 ft to sea level

Lunch time - Rebecca eating fried Prairie Dog and Woeter defending his food from the puppies

Made it to Lima in freezing weather so these cappuccinos were very special

El Parque del Amor in Lima with paragliders flying by

The flight of the paraglider

A nice statue in the Parque del Amor

A view from the edge of Lima down to the ocean full of surfers

The famous Larcomar Mall hanging over the cliff

The view of the ocean from Larcomar at night

I finally understand the differences in all these South American animals

Yes, we had to buy Alpaca stuff

Our dinner in Lima at one of their well-known seafood restaurants