Depart Canada to go to Lima, Peru
Peru Trip
Day 1: April 24 th 2009 Depart for Peru
Today is start of my 2nd South American adventure. I am off to Peru and journey around Peru for over 3 weeks and take in the diversity of the country. My starting point will be in the fine great city capital of Peru of Lima.
Wake up bright and early this morning to get my daily oatmeal for my great flight down past the equator.
Arriving at the airport, I check in at counter for Air Canada. The agent at the counter was surprised that someone from Thunder Bay was flying to Peru. He asked me if I was some type of Geologist type of person as he has never seen anyone go that far I guess. Too funny.
I board my Air Canada Jazz plane for my first leg of my trip.
On board Jazz I am offered a nice small bag of trail mix and a tiny glass of pop as my snack to which I gladly accepted as a very fine feast on route to Toronto.
Finally after and hour and a half I land in Toronto Pearson International for now I have about 3 and half wait till my next flight to Peru.
To pass the time at the airport, I go buy a cheese and ham sandwich in Terminal one at the counter near Star Bucks and a bottle of Coca-Cola to which I consume with great happiness. While enjoying my great feast, I am reading the news in the daily Globe and Mail. Probably the last time I will be reading and English language newspaper in the new few weeks. Before my leap into the world of latin america.
I make my way to the departure lounge for my international flight and buy a bag of cheezies to pass the remaining amount of time.
Finally at about 230pm I board my Air Canada plane for Peru. I have an aisle seat, I would have preferred window, but I then get first picks of meals from the flight attendants. This plane has the personal screens to which I can choose from a large selection of movies and tv shows to watch.
For the duration of the flight I am able to catch up on some movies I haven’t seen. For duration of flight my meal was chicken and some veggies and a glass of coca-cola, a fine feast.
For the movies I watched, first I watch The Day the Earth Stood Still a flick with Keanu Reeves, nothing too exciting but decent entertainment.
Second movie I watched was Valkrie, a very fine movie with Tom Cruise in WWII. As he almost successfully killed Hitler, a really recommended watch I would say.
Third movie I watched was Slumdog Millionaire, once again a masterpiece of a movie, however abit disturbing to how much hardship the main character endured. A movie I highly recommend everyone who reads my blog to go out and watch.
Finally around I think 930pm we land in Lima at the main Airport. Good airport very modern. Go through immigration like nothing and then to collect my bag and proceed through customs in which I feel I was on a gameshow. Where you give your custom form to the agent and you push a button to which either a red or green light comes on. I get the green light and walk through, no baggage check for me.
I enter the terminal and looked for my transfer, holding my name on a sign. I find my transfer and older gentlemen named Jose. Who greatly accepts and directs me to his car for my safe transfer to Hostal Pukara in Miraflores district of Lima.
Being a Friday night in Lima, roads are very busy and fast. For some people I know from north America would be abit disturbed by this area. But its not bad at all, just abit different. I myself am enjoying everyone moment of this. I realize now this is where I enjoy travel the most, where its abit different a bit more wild, it’s the best way to go. To embrace the experience and I feel way to confident in this. Perhaps I should feel scared or be uneasy, but I am not. Its almost as if I totally was meant to be here, Lima was my calling, perhaps.
We arrive to the Hostal Pukara about 45 minutes later and the present area is very nice and good. I leave car, pay my drive a fine trip and check in at the Pukara.
Hostal is simple, but not bad at all. Lobby is simple but has a computer for internet, a breakfast room and all your needs. My room is small but just room with bed and tv and its not bad. Then again I am not too picky, I could sleep on stone slap of nothing and still be happy about it.
So I just take it easy and go to my room and watch some music videos on MTV in Spanish and just go to bed. As tomorrow I start early in morning my adventure in Lima, with a special surprise.
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At 130 Gonzales Larranaga st.
San Antonio Miraflores.
The choice of me staying here was because my trip with Intrepid Travel uses this location as start of the tours of Peru.
Good location as its in a safe location and good neighbourhood and part of Lima.
It is a safe location as gate is always locked so no worries of anyone not welcome coming up to your room.
Rooms were simple, but there is a TV provided and bed was good to sleep on and clean.
There was good hot water from shower, sink and the toilets flushed quite well.
Lobby is simple but does the job. It has good front desk service, attendant was always available. Friendly service and always at attention.
There is a computer at front for internet and that was available most of the time.
Breakfast in mornings was good, it was bananas and apples and some buns, which were good.As well jam and cream cheese was provided.
There was a selection of coffee, tea and some juice available. Just remember to your dishes back in the sink.
For those more adventurous, there is a kitchen provided and dishes so you can cook on your own as well.
It is a good start location for anyone going to take in some time in Lima, Peru.
The costs are very affordable for most people who only care about having a place to sleep. Nothing too fancy, but that is ok if your looking to save money and just looking for the basics. Very good value.
The transfers provided are very good. I booked mine through email and Jose who worked as the transfer guy was at the airport waiting for me as per my request. To which he greatly deserved his tip.
Overall I recommend this accomodation for many, who are up to save money. You will be getting good location, that is safe and a decent place to stay.
