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UPDATE#32
08/27 thru 08/29
Howdy
Everybody, The adventures
of 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 through 08/26/09 have been published on the
website. We continue with the
latest edition. UPDATE
2009 #32 08/27/09 thru 08/29/09 At last update,
we were in Chiclayo, Peru. 08/27/09
THURSDAY CHICLAYO, PE
Our room #301 at the Hostal Victoria in Chiclayo was comfortable and
quiet. This is a good place and the
staff is very friendly.
After breakfast at the Restaurant
Trébol, we headed over to the
Moche Tours office for our group transportation to the famous ruins
sites. Arriving early usually gives
us our pick of seats in the van or bus. If
you’re going to go, you might as well get the best views. Our guide’s name was Orlando and he spoke excellent
English. It was already 10:30am
before we had all 7 of the group on board and we were heading out of town toward
Túcume.
At Túcume, there are some 26 pyramids that comprise a unique complex of
adobe architecture. With origins about 3000 years ago, the construction continued
into the Sicàn period in the 13th century AD.
The archaeological investigations of the adobe buildings are still
currently in progress. Túcume was an urban settlement area for the various
cultures of Lambayeque, Chimú, Sicàn and Inca cultures, making it one of the
most important ancient heritage sites in northern Peru.
Over the centuries, the adobe structures have been severely affected by
wind erosion and heavy rains.
The archaeological community is heavily involved with scientific research
at Túcume.
Of the adobe structures, the largest (Huaca Larga) is
approximately 1,788 feet long, 360 feet wide, and 69 feet in height.
Archeological restorations reveal examples of the magnificence that once
decorated the enormous adobe structures.
Shamans and
Curanderos (indigenous medicinal healers that follow ancient traditions)
founded their practices on methods and rites that have existed for many
centuries.
From Túcume, we went to the town of Lambayeque for a group lunch.
Judy had grilled fish and I had a big bowl of Sopa de Pollo (chicken
soup). The Museo
Reales de Sipan
was next on our itinerary.
The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán, in Lambayeque Peru, is one of
the most well-renowned museums in Peru. With three-levels, the 6 million-dollar
museum contains the finest intact discovery of gold artifacts in all of the
Americas. Constructed in the shape of a
Moche pyramid, this modern museum preserves and displays the magnificent
treasures unearthed from the Royal Tombs of Sipán, in particular, El Señor de
Sipán (the Lord of Sipán). Photographic
equipment is not permitted inside the facility.
After leaving the museum, our van took us to the site of Huaca Rajada.
The word “Huaca” refers to a sacred place.
At the Compound of Huaca Rajada, the archaeological site contains two
truncated pyramids, the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan, the Tomb of the Priest, and
another of the Old Lord of Sipan, all of which were found together.
Although Huaca Rajada is the actual archaeological site, the displays
here are all replicas of the originals now housed at the previous museum.
We arrived at this display museum just in the knick of time, as they were
just closing up for the day.
This is how the Lord of Sipan may have appeared to his subjects…
These sacred chalice bowls were likely used to drink the blood of slain
warriors…
Our guide, Orlando, as he might have looked during the reign of the Chimú
King…
Maybe since I’m wearing glasses, the enemy won’t hit me…
The tour of the outside site grounds had to be done at a fairly rapid
pace since the afternoon was getting short.
…an excavated tomb area. The
tombs of 13 individuals were excavated at Sipán.
Tombs as they looked when discovered…
The actual tomb of Lord Sipán remained undisturbed until it was
discovered in 1987. The tomb
contained a vast wealth of treasures, intended to accompany the Lord of Sipán
on his journey to the after life.
The Lord of Sipán died around 300A.D. at the age of about 40 years old.
Death was not considered the end for a Moche person.
According to their belief, they would continue living in another
spiritual plane with their same obligations, privileges, and social status as in
this world.
The royal rulers were interred with provisions and goods to use in their
afterlife.
Unfortunately, severe erosion has degraded the magnificence of the
original structures.
08/28/09
FRIDAY CHICLAYO, PERU
to LIMA-BOUND NIGHT BUS
Today, we would head out on our own for a view of the coast.
We took a collective car bus transportation to Playa
Pimental. Walking around the
fishing village and Pacific Ocean beach, we had a close-up view of the local
fishing fleet.
Individual fishermen still use these primitive boats made from bundles of
tortora reeds.
A split piece of bamboo shaft is used as a paddle…
Beside their beached vessel, a couple cleans and salts slabs of fresh
fish.
With some difficulty, we were able to find collective transportation to
Playa San Pedro and then on to the town of
Monsefu. Supposedly famous
for flowers, we must have arrived at the wrong time of year.
There were plenty of craft stands geared for gleaning tourist money.
On our return to Chiclayo, the collective van dropped us of at a market
in the middle of absolute no-where. I
didn’t have the slightest idea of where we were, but was able to get a moto-taxi
to bring us to the city center. I
soon began to recognize familiar sights and felt more comfortable with our
surroundings. We decided to eat at Hebron Grill again tonight.
Although a bit more expensive and upscale than I usually prefer, the food
was pretty good and the place was quite comfortable.
With a little time before our night bus, we took the opportunity to rest
and shower at our hostal before checking out.
At 7:45pm, we walked to the Excluciva terminal on Bolognesi Avenue.
We had booked the most luxurious bus that either of us had ever seen.
The spacious seats recline to 180 degrees for an almost bed-like
position. The service was great and
the best we’ve experienced in all of our travels.
08/29/09
SATURDAY LIMA BOUND NIGHT
BUS to
LIMA, PERU
The overnight trip of 12 hours aboard the comfortable bus operated by
Excluciva was very enjoyable. It
was about 8am when we disembarked at their terminal in Lima.
It is always somewhat annoying to have to bargain so hard with the Lima
taxi drivers. I persevered and was
able to find a taxi direct to our hostal for half the quoted price. Even at that, I knew that I was still paying too much.
Welcome back to city life.
Our room #305 was ready for us at the Hostal San Francisco.
This is where we like to stay because of the friendly people and the
central location. We were well
rested and chose to get an early start to our sightseeing day.
We began with the historic
Muralla Wall Park. The
excavated area has exposed the early buildings and settlements of downtown Lima.
Now a relaxing, scenic park, a sightseeing tram motivates around the
grounds.
This statue of General Francisco Pizarro once stood in the main plaza…
The buildings in the central historical district of Lima are beautiful.
This is one side of the Presidential Palace…
This is the historical central train station that is being converted into
another museum. The special excursion train that goes up to Huancayo still
leaves from here about twice a month. We
enjoyed that trip last year…
In the background, the red and white flag of Peru flies proudly over the
historic Casa de Correos Y Telegrafos (Postal and Telegraph Office).
The interior was as lovely as the exterior…
It was interesting to see this display of sounding a conch shell horn.
It was much the same in ancient Peru as it is now for us in the Bahamas.
The polished brass fountainhead was spectacular.
We touched the shiny face in hopes that the act would bear the same
significance as those in Europe that ensure your return to the lovely city.
I have read numerous personal reports that suggest folks bypass Lima as
quickly as possible. I think that
Lima is a magnificent city that offers tremendous opportunities for enjoyment
and adventure. We always enjoy our
time here and look forward to a speedy return.
Judy has been eagerly awaiting this opportunity to do some shopping for
her craft of jewelry and beading. This
fascinating bronze statue of a shoeshine boy graces this block in central Lima.
This is Judy’s favorite shop for selecting beading supplies.
They have a huge selection of local and imported styles.
A culinary exposition was well underway when we arrived at the riverfront
park area.
In Lima and throughout Peru, Pizza styles, toppings, and designs are very
different than what we are accustomed to in the US.
An ornate doorway at one of the sides to the Presidential Palace…
National Cathedral…
Balconies near the main Plaza…
Cultural Center and National School of Fine Arts…
Historical building near the Plaza San Martin…
Plaza San Martin…
…along the Avenida de la Union.
In Lima, one of the most important holidays of the year honors their
patron saint, Santa Rosa de Lima. She
is also the patron saint of the PNP (Peruvian National Police).
Huge celebrations are occurring in the city this weekend with
dedications, parades, and a grand assembly of the national defense force.
Cadets take their vows and pay homage to Santa Rosa de Lima at the
National Cathedral.
The Presidential Palace from the main Plaza…
Spires of the National Cathedral…
Presidential Palace…
National Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace…
Church of Santa Rosa de Lima…
On this special day, thousands of parishioners gather to seek grace from
their saint…
Sisters of the church sell memorabilia and special notepaper upon which
special prayers and request can be extended to Santa Rosa…
Thousands of requests are tossed into the well in hopes of compassionate
response…
An interesting fountain and park is adjacent to the church…
Parades of the PNP were occurring throughout the central zone of Lima…
The PNP band played in the main Plaza…
As the dusk fall over central Lima, the subtle illumination brings a
whole new beauty to the historical buildings surrounding the main Plaza de Armas.
Celebrations during the Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima will continue
throughout the weekend. Judy and I feel very fortunate to be here and to share the
moments… CONTINUING
UPDATES ARE IN PROGRESS… WATCH FOR THEM, COMING SOON… POST SCRIPT:
We sincerely hope that you will review the previous years of compilations
to give context to the current editions. Please
let us know if you have any special suggestions and thoughts.
REMEMBER: The website
is now fully active and you can visit it at any time.
You can also review any of the previous logs from the years 2006, 2007,
or 2008 and learn more about the crew and their many adventures.
Enjoy. ATTENTION:
SPECIAL NOTE:
You may contact us via email anytime. Thanks
for allowing us to share our life and adventures with you. Lotsa
Luv, Fred
Reed and Judy Law AMARSE MT40 "AMARSE"
is pronounced "AM-ARE-SAY".
Our
website is: www.amarse.net .
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