Day 82 – San Martin, Peru Tour – August 11th, 2015

Posted on August 13, 2015 by oriana77

San Martin, Peru – 07:00 to 17:00

Today we booked a scenic cruise to Islas Ballestas, an off-shore marine wildlife sanctuary, with amazing rock formations that is known locally as the Galapagos of Peru. We were looking forward to seeing an abundance of birds, seals, fish and possibly even a bonus of some whales, but alas it was not to be. Sitting in the Princess Theatre, waiting for our tour and bus to be called, we received the news that the tour operator cancelled the tour for safety reasons, due to high waves. Rather than send us all packing, with a refund, the Shore-Ex Manager quickly arranged an alternative tour – a visit to Paracas National Park. Sounded interesting, so we accepted the offer.

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Day 80 – Lima Tour II – August 9th, 2015

Posted on August 12, 2015 by oriana77

Callao, Peru – 07:00 to 23:59

This is a continuation of the Lima Tour and covers the visit to Pachacamac Ruins and the almost adjacent Hacienda Mamacona. After the quick, but definitely exceptional visit to the museum we were wondering if any of the final two stops could equal or beat the museum. Well, in Judi’s eyes the horses will always be number 1.

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Day 80 – Lima Tour I – August 9th, 2015

Posted on August 12, 2015 by oriana77

Callao/Lima, Peru – 07:00 to 23:59

Today’s tour titled, “Pachacamac Ruins and Peruvian Prancing Horses”, included a visit to the National Museum of Archaeology, the Pachacamac Ruins and Hacienda Mamacona for a horse show followed by a buffet lunch. A full 8-hour day, with the highlight for Judi being similar to Iceland – the horses. Enroute to the Hacienda our guide even mentioned he could possibly arrange for a ride on a horse, which would have been Judi’s highlight of the cruise.

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Day 82 – San Martin, Peru – August 11th, 2015

Posted on August 12, 2015 by oriana77

San Martin – 07:00 to 17:00

Our second port of call in Peru and this couldn’t be more different from the metropolis of Callao/Lima. San Martin is but a single berth and is located within the boundary of Paracas National Park. As I opened the balcony door this morning I was assaulted by the smell of rotting fish and a large bay surrounded almost entirely by desert. Where Lima is large, noisy and polluted, this area is quiet and peaceful, once you get acclimatised to the smell.

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Day 81 – Callao, Peru – August 10th, 2015

Posted on August 12, 2015 by oriana77

Callao, Peru – 00:00 to 16:00

Our 2nd day in Callao, Peru, but on yesterday’s tour we saw nothing to entice us to return ashore. Bob & Christine took the mall shuttle yesterday afternoon and advised it was a complete waste of time, being an extremely high end mall with substantial numbers of security forces armed with machine guns. If we went to the mall, it would be to look for wi-fi, so we stayed aboard, since we still have some satellite time left. Welcome back Capt Kent, as his first announcements did not disappoint.

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Day 80 – Callao, Peru – August 9th, 2015

Posted on August 12, 2015 by oriana77

Callao (for) Lima – 07:00 to 23:59

This morning we arrived in Callao, the port for Lima, Peru; however, yesterday the Captain distributed a form letter advising that tourists were currently being targeted by armed thieves and that we should take extra safety and security precautions, such as dressing down and staying in large groups, when going ashore. Even regular local taxis are not recommended. Oh well! we are only here for 2 days. No passenger terminal exists, which means we are amongst bulk carriers and container ships; therefore, we are unable to walk ashore. A free shuttle is available to the gate, but it is a port city and a paid shuttle will take you to a high end mall crawling with armed security.

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