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14 January, 2010 13:23:17

Lima day trips: Two places to find natural beauty

Looking for a quick summer getaway from the city that doesn't involve crowded beaches? Here are two great options.

Adapted from El Comercio

NOR YAUYOS-COCHAS RESERVE: Serene Valleys and Gorges

The Reserva Paisajística Nor Yauyos-Cochas has a natural beauty composed of canyons, waterfalls and snowy mountains on the shores of the river Cañete. In this place, located southeast of Lima, the visitors will find deep valleys and gorges with beautiful lakes, such as Wayo, where they can fish for trout. Other activities that are ideal there are hang gliding, paragliding, rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and mountain biking.

The weather in the area is hot and this is the best time to visit because there is no rain. However, at night the temperature drops considerably. The local cuisine offers dishes based on trout, as well as Pachamanca, barley Patasca, fried guinea pig with beans and cheese with potatoes.

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15 December, 2009 17:10:29

Water Skiing on the lakes of Bujama Lacus

By Nora Sugobono
For El Comercio

There's an option for water skiing outside the waters of Ancon or Naplo.

For eight years, Bujama Lacus, located at kilometer 89.5 on Highway Panamericana del Sur, has offered ideal conditions for practicing this sport with two lakes created especially for water skiing.

"The sea is not the most suitable site due to the wind and temperature," says Juan Carlos Cuglievan, ski champion and founder of the lakes. "This project comes from a group of ten friends who are enthusiastic about this sport. The water has to be controlled, so we decided to make an artificial lake," says the athlete.

The lagoons were dug in an agricultural area of 21 hectares, causing a natural increase of water under the reeds. The water isn't from the sea or river, but natural underground sources found close to the surface.

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14 December, 2009 12:09:10

The City of Lima, a Box Filled with Surprises

Photos and Essay by Armando Alcázar

The city of Lima was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in the year 1535.

From that point on, things have changed a lot, and at my 50 years of age, I have been able to see a lot of those changes.

The city, due to the pass of time, is a more modern place, but plenty of its impressive colonial architecture still graces the landscape.

What has now changed is that tourists can visit these places without worrying about their personal safety.

Today, many people understand that tourists are a great source of income for the country, and have learned to respect them, help them, and even serve as guides in some cases.

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24 November, 2009 11:53:57

Swimming with Sea Lions: A Day Trip in Callao

By
Tim Olson
Photos by Rodney L. Dodig

I found myself in the water just off San Lorenzo Island staring a sea lion in the face. It was a surreal feeling.

Although the water was a little cold, the experience was captivating and thrilling.

The playful sea lions seemed just as curious and cautious of me as I was of them.

When you are that close you become aware of their big teeth and can appreciate their size and agility in the water.

Although our experienced and knowledgeable captain said that there hasn't been any documented accounts of one of the thousands of sea lions being aggressive with humans that visit the area, this did not stifle my concern at being in the water with them.

24 Comments

10 November, 2009 16:35:50

Chasing the Sun

Essay and Photos by
Rodney L. Dodig

As anyone who has lived in Lima for any period of time can tell you, the sun does not shine very often in the winter. There seems to be a combination fog-and-cloud bank that lies on the coast covering the city for the better part of the winter.

It doesn’t affect the temperature much, but the lack of sunshine can become a bit depressing after so many days without it. For those Limeños who can, there are several options for escaping the clouds for a day or more. I have been exploring these options when I can and have found them to be a pleasant respite when it feels like I am going to explode if the sun does not come out soon. All of these are within an hour’s drive or less from the city and can also be reached by taxi, combi, bus, collectivo and/or train. Some of these wonderfully sunny little playgrounds are Cieneguilla, Choclacayo and Chosica.

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13 October, 2009 10:20:03

Caral, Cultural Patrimony of Mankind

By Gabriela Machuca Castillo
For El Comercio

As far as the world is concerned, the American continent did not harbor civilizations as millenary as those in Egypt or Mesopotamia. 5,000 years ago, this region of the planet did not know a politically and economically consolidated society. Neither was there, in this area, an urban concept impressive in its architectonic complexity.

That is, until now.

The sacred city of Caral, located in the Supe valley 184 kilometres north of Lima, was declared Cultural Patrimony of Mankind by UNESCO and with this, it was made official that the oldest civilization in America was brilliantly developed in Peru. This new finding was announced during the 33rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

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22 September, 2009 10:43:13

An Afternoon Drive: The Coast South of Lima

By
Rodney L. Dodig

The beauty of the coastline south of Lima is undeniable. Driving through Chorrilos on the Malecon C Montarela and going further south along the Paseo Billinghurst you will find vistas that delight the eye, as well as the sounds of the ocean’s waves crashing on the rocky coast that will sooth away the stress of a busy day. Regardless of the weather, this drive will provide you with ample photo opportunities and nice pull off areas to take them from. Besides driving through this area I saw a group of people on bikes taking this route and one lone young lady jogging along the coastal highway.

3 Comments

9 September, 2009 10:28:33

Everybody Loves a Parade!

photos by
Julián Igue

On Sunday, September 6th, Miraflores came alive with the "Corso de Wong" (Lima's Independence Day Parade). The event had been scheduled to coincide with Lima's Independence day (the 28th of July), but was postponed due to concerns of AH1N1. The massive crowd that was there to witness the spectacle didn't seem to mind the change of dates in the least, and they all waved their Peruvian flags with proud enthusiasm. There was plenty to see as well as the parade marched on for several hours featuring great music, great dancing, and tremendous displays. Below are some pictures from the event, which is just one more reason to plan your trip to Peru!

5 Comments

27 August, 2009 12:20:46

In “El Pueblo” Everything is Included

By
Milagros Vera Colens
El Comercio

Prepare yourself to eat everything you possibly can, drink the best brands and entertain yourself with the activities El Pueblo offers you.

El Pueblo Resort and Convention Center now offers their visitors a unique experience close to the capital of Peru. This traditional hotel, located only 45 minutes away from Lima, has family packages which include lodging, food, drinks, entertainment and much more. “The best advantage is that Peruvians have access to “everything included” without having to leave the country. This is very original, because it this type of offer is generally only offered by beach hotels and not by those in the sierra,” explains Juan Martín Aguirre, General Manager of El Pueblo.

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8 July, 2009 08:21:15

Pachacamac, Lima’s major archaeological site

by
Rodney L. Dodig

The party of Wari elders approached the gate to the great city of Pachacamac with great reverence and more than a touch of fear. This was their first trip to the great city and the magnificent Temple of the Sun since the mighty Inca conquered the world. As they passed over the hills approaching the city the great temple stood above the walls in blazing red, a massive temple to the great Sun God “Inti”, built by the ruling Inca Tupac Yupanqui. They were here to seek guidance from the Great Oracle in the Painted Temple on important matters to their people. Their llamas were loaded with corn, cloth and other offerings to “He Who Animates the World.” They would be here for days, possibly weeks making the offerings and seeking the answers to their questions. Entering the eastern gate they paraded down the broad avenue along with the other supplicants from all over the empire. The sweet smell of putrefying flesh from the sacrifices floated through the air and the sounds of the people bartering in the stalls along the street assailed their ears. Carrion birds circled overhead and …….

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