Lima Chick Trip

Ok--the sister and I are thinking this is the destination for us. 5 nights ( One hotel is planned--2 nights at the Orient Express Miraflores for the last part of the trip--I have "such a deal")
I'm in contact with one of our members (from cking loads!!) for insider info but would love to hear more from anyone else, please.
We can't do altitude, so it was all activity will be sea level. Sister wants to paraglide hwile I watch and the rest of the time we plan to eat our way thru the city (no, not like Godzilla!!) Looks like mid June.
ANy tips??

tips below

yes, I got to all of them and more! I contribute to luxurylink.com by sharing my trips and review those properties I purchase from them--as well as submit reviews at tripadvisor.com.
If I thought more people in nonrev.net wanted to know about my trips, I would write more, and some may have to be cut and paste--or they can read from those sources. I am not known there as mrs767er, but I'm sure you're clever enough to find some of my blog or posts. Most of this travel has taken place in the past 4 years.
Royal Pita Maha, Ubud, Bali
AKA Hua Hin, Thailand
Misty Hills, Mudlersdrift, SA
Ariau Towers, Brasil
Tuningi Lodge, Madikwe, SA
Mateya Safari Lodge, Madikwe, SA
St. George Residence, Budapest
Hotel Hoffmeister, Prague
Steenberg Hotel, Constantia, South Africa
Riad Myra, Fes, Morocco
There's even a blog to be found about taking my mother's ashes thru TSA and ultimately spreading them in a private reserve in South Africa.

tips below

Update--anyone have any bits to share? looks like these "chicks" (maybe we should be chicas?) are headed to Lima in a few wks.
Mi hermana wants to paraglide--we both plan to eat some cuy and drink some wine and pisco sours...
tips are appreciated--not gratuities--maybe AFTER we come back!

Hopefully you plan on staying at the JW MARRIOT at MIRAFLORES. BUT, ANYWHERE in Miraflores is GOOD TO GO. Not a problem there. You can walk all over the place, no car needed. They have fancy grocery stores, check it out. Go to MANOLOS CAFE, everything there is great. CHURROS is specialty but they have great sandwiches and empanadas coffee, just an excellent diner owned by some SPANISH guy and has several of them all over the Latin America. Paraglyding is excellent. I believe they charge around 50 bucks but I really don't know. It's neat from where I was staying watching it. Go to HAVANNA cafe place when you go to the mall, its outside, LARCOMAR right in front of the Marriot hotel, (not really a mall but like an outdoor shopping area, alot of people go there to eat, some beggars on the streets but watch out for your wallet and scam artist.) and they have lots of different food courts there, along with neat shops, bowling alley, movie theatre, they have Tony Romas. Gonna be their winter there, and believe it or not, you need to wear something like a jacket. It's chilly! You probably won't see much of any sun there. Very lively, neat place. When you have a cup of coffee at HAVVANA, be sure to get the special along with their specialty of a piece of chocolate that comes with it. They have a nice fancy restaurant on the beach, take a cab there, called LA ROSA NAUTICA. Very fancy and you walk along a pier that feels like you are on the ocean, great bar, relaxing food not very expensive being the wife of a diplomat? Or Pilot, either or. You and your sis will have an excellent time. If you get the chance, take a cab and go to the downtown area or PLAZA NACIONAL area where you can see some interesting architecture. Go to the SAN FRANCISCO church there see the catacombs, along with a two dollar tour, very worth it. See Jesus Christ LAST SUPPER remake by a Peruvian artist depicting Jesus having CUY along with local Peruvian food. But if you decide to stay in Miraflores area, its good to go, its great. One last tip. DON'T take a cab from the hotel. Just walk across the street and take one, they run all over, and make your deal with them. If you go to the hotel and ask for a cab, you will get ripped off big time. Pay way more. Cab to the airport shouldnt' run you more than 10 bucks but if you go through the hotel, you will pay 65 bucks....(MARIOTT anyway). You taking CAL? They get there at night. Maybe one day you can be adventurous and go to Machu Pichu where the real adventurist like ME get to experience. You retired? Have some COCA TEA. Not a problem unless you get checked for urynalisis at work when you get back. Everyone drinks the tea, but usually more in the altitude areas like CUZCO. It calms down altitude sickness big time. Not addictive and not dangerous. In most cases, when in Rome do as the Romans do. (Not for me because I get checked randomly at work, and could jeopordize my trabajo.
Oh, if you get to LA ROSA NAUTICA on the beach not far from the Marriot down below the cliff, you can try a PARIHUELA, which is a mixed seafood soup. Like a gumbo but Peruvian style. I love it.

The name of the mall across from the Marriot is called LARCOMAR. Check it out. It's neat. I found this article on Havanna coffee. They hail from Argentina and that is where I first tried them and they have one in Larcomar, across the street from the JW Marriot hotel in Miraflores Lima Peru. Here is a link.
Havanna, Cafe, Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you don't try this place for a cup of joe, you don't know what your missin. Get the 2.50 special. Coffee with a chocolate bar comes in a triangle wrapped in foil. Goes great with the coffee, and if you make it there, go outside on the balcony to your far right, see if the kids below the cliff are still playing soccer in the soccer field there. Go to YOUTUBE and check out LARCOMAR in Miraflores, some good pictures of the place, give you an idea about it.

Don't know what kind of deal you got at your hotel, but the JW Marriot is kind of pricey, but definately UPSCALE. Great spa and they work with you if your flight leaves late. You can even go take a shower and use the spa before you go, just ask the bell man as he holds your luggage while you go shopping before your flight at night, and he'll give you a ticket for your luggage. I paid 150 bucks for a night there when I got back from Machu Pichu. (Airline discount) They have lots of laundry places in town, just drop it off and let them know when you need it, if they don't do it fast enough for you, tell them you'll give them more money, and they'll put you in the priority section or something. Way cheaper than using the hotel. Just take a backpack with your laundry with you.

This is LA ROSA NAUTICA. If you got the dough. I recommend it.

La Rosa Náutica - Miraflores, Peru restaurant reviews & dining guide - Recommended Miraflores restaurants

Check out Manolos Cafe.

Manolo's, Lima, Peru - Yahoo! Travel

And lastly, this is a great area. I could live somewhere like that. Even retire in a place, or semi-retire there, have a pad there and just enjoy the place. You can make friends there fast. Great people.

Good stuff, 29 Palms! Our first night is a wash at a local colonial. (they gave us interline price) We'll be near the Marriott at the Orient Express (one of my auction goodies) after that. Flying DL and arriving late like most everyone. We have a 4 hour city tour included. Also included massages later that day. I was recommended to go to the massage center where the blind do the work--it's about $11US for an hour. Hope we can find time.
Miraflores Park Hotel Vacation Packages - Luxury Link I bought back to back pkgs and I had total of $500 off that price so it netted out at $600 4/nts.
San FRancisco is on the list, now Havanna is, too! Hoepfully we can get tom Manolo's--we have local wine guy and friends taking us around. Weather has been warm--70-80 and we expect 60-70. Last June it was pretty sunny (I guess a rare treat in Lima?) Thanks for the tips.PS--I'm retired; coca might be of interest cept for heart issues? hmmm...

We spent 4 days (Thanksgiving) at the Radisson Miraflores. The rates included a very nice b'fast and 2 drinks a day which we took at the roof top bar/pool. Don't miss the double decker tour bus to the Water Fountains.

Manolos is not a big deal or a must. It caught my interest because MANOLOS I had seen in Panama City Panama many years ago, (1970's) and I was surprised to walk up upon it in Lima. But it is a nice cafe and food is pretty good. The main strip which takes you to the park like in downtown Miraflores, up from the Larcomar area on the cliffs is where Manolos is. But for you, it ISN'T a must. But, you did ask for some tips and better more than less. I think to visit the Catacombs in Convent of San Francisco is a MUST because you will never experience anything like it anywhere. The tour is so cheap and very well organized, English speaker. The art work fabulous and history awesome. So try it like this...

1. Larcomar mall in front of the Mariott hotel where all the neat shops are and restaurants, HAVANNA is a must IF you like coffee, and cafe style places. The view is excellent from there. Lots of other places to see in there. But the mall in general is a must and you really can't miss it.

2. The catacombs in downtown Lima is a MUST.

3. If you can do it, the restaurant I mentioned on the beach LA ROSA NAUTICA, but its not a MUST, especially if you are more or less on a budget or prefer non-seafood.

4. If you like dancing and partying, they do what they call PENA (sounds like PENIA since I don't know how to put the Spanish accent symbol over the "N" on my computer.) This is a local POW WOW of dancing, eating and drinking. Like a loud cantina, smokey, and very unhealthy, I don't recommend it unless you don't mind the atmosphere. Around 25 years ago that would have been cool, but in my time and age, I prefer the intellect enviroment and cleaner air space. These you find the best in downtown Lima and any cab will take you to any of them but this is a great way to get a feel of the Peruvian spirit of having fun.

5. The fountain park the other guy here was mentioning about, I was there too. It's great. You gotta go at night. WATCH WALLET, because there is lots of people. That is in another part of Lima from the Plaza Nacional area. I couldn't tell you exactly how to get there but again CABBIES know where to take you. It's incredible if you like that sort of stuff. Have you been to Vegas at the Belagio? Something like that but in much grander scale inside a park that does everything with fountains.

6. Do buy some Peruvian knitted hats made from LLAMA, and if you pay more than 2 bucks, for one, you paid too much. I like to get about 5 or more at a time for the best deals. Like 5 at 2 bucks a piece. There is another area not far from the Palacio Nacional that sells junk like wallets and hats and Peruvian arts and crafts, great deals.

I checked out your hotel online per the link you provided. I've walked all in that area with my wife. It's beautiful. I could and I say again, I COULD LIVE IN THAT PLACE. That is very nice area there. You are near that park, I remember the park because there was one building we saw there that was renting apartments, but the security guard couldn't provide us with any information and we didn't call to ask what the rates for monthly rentals were. There is also a good link for a map of miraflores. If you move all the way down on the enlarged map, you can see larcomar in Green. That's the mall. Follow Larcomar avenue north and you run into KENNEDY park, which is a nice walk and very scenic, lots of vendors and stores. Seems you are to the south of the Marriot hotel which is right around where Larcomar is. The area you are staying is excellent. All in that area.
http://elsol.idiomasperu.com/maps/ma...miraflores.jpg

we are so stoked. can't wait to send my sister off a cliff (I uh mean paragliding...)
doubt we're the cantina types but you never know...
regarding wallets--I hardly take much $ out--love hotel safes!! we almost never shop, so I keep enuff to eat/drink--anyone wants to steal my money they have to contend with my appetite!! that could be an ugly battle but considering I'm pretty skinny, they will likely win!
good map--super thanks!

Send yourself off on a cliff too, not just your sis. I can honestly say, you two picked a good vacation there and I think you'll like it there alot.

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Originally Posted by 29palms

Send yourself off on a cliff too, not just your sis. I can honestly say, you two picked a good vacation there and I think you'll like it there alot.

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Are you telling me to jump off a cliff? it will never happen!!

With the paraglider of course, not without a chute!!

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Originally Posted by 29palms

With the paraglider of course, not without a chute!!

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I do not believe that will happen unless it's against my will.

How do you get to Peru? Walk? You fly over 30,000 feet. What makes you feel safer? The fact that the wind doesn't feel in your face as a paraglide would? Something to think about right? What can catch fire on a chute? No wires. No other people to have to fight for an exit when the plane ditches in high shark infested seas. No wind, you just glide down. Glide down to a golf course or the beach, or top of a building or someone's house.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 29palms

How do you get to Peru? Walk? You fly over 30,000 feet. What makes you feel safer? The fact that the wind doesn't feel in your face as a paraglide would? Something to think about right? What can catch fire on a chute? No wires. No other people to have to fight for an exit when the plane ditches in high shark infested seas. No wind, you just glide down. Glide down to a golf course or the beach, or top of a building or someone's house.

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Oh no, Palms--I am CERTAIN I will wet my pants first (yeah, I know, diaper!) then instead of gliding gently, the wind will be blowing on my screaming face (which by that time, will look too much like Joan Rivers), I will plummet to the ground, watching watching watching my death in front of me and go kersplat. This will not happen to anyone else, just me.
Flying in a plane over the ocean, Andes, wherever--piece of cake--I have excellent pilots and MX to keep me safe as I cruise in the sky lounging in a metal living room...
Just a fear.

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Originally Posted by mrs767er

Oh no, Palms--I am CERTAIN I will wet my pants first (yeah, I know, diaper!) then instead of gliding gently, the wind will be blowing on my screaming face (which by that time, will look too much like Joan Rivers), I will plummet to the ground, watching watching watching my death in front of me and go kersplat. This will not happen to anyone else, just me.

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Oh go for it, think of the story you'll have to tell.:lol: You know M767 you could try singing (instead of the screaming) to calm your nerves, just don't sing anything depressing like any song from Steely Dan.
On a road trip once I awoke to RJ singing - chorus
http://bestsmileys.com/music1/25.gif
" I'll learn to work the saxophone
I'll play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whisky all night long
And die behind the wheel
They got a name for the winners in the world
I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues "

Steely Dan - Deacon Blues YouTube - Steely Dan - Deacon Blues

Played it 3 times, called it the ultimate blues/jazz road song....... it did give me pause, just as we entered the Eisenhower Tunnel (boy was I glad to see Denver.)

Yea. Great tune. Good video. Steely Dan the man. I bought an emachine the other day cuz my computer crashed, so the speakers I have don't comply with this emachine, gotta get some speakers with some serious volume. Volume now is very very low, can barely hear it. I hear emachines aren't the greatest but I got some serious memory on this thing. It's fast brah!

Check out this video. I love that Vietnamese dancer in this show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aey_ZZQ6HDk

Cheezus ka riyste man. We mistook you for the bungie type thrill seeker.

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Originally Posted by mrs767er

Oh no, Palms--I am CERTAIN I will wet my pants first (yeah, I know, diaper!) then instead of gliding gently, the wind will be blowing on my screaming face (which by that time, will look too much like Joan Rivers), I will plummet to the ground, watching watching watching my death in front of me and go kersplat. This will not happen to anyone else, just me.
Flying in a plane over the ocean, Andes, wherever--piece of cake--I have excellent pilots and MX to keep me safe as I cruise in the sky lounging in a metal living room...
Just a fear.

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best laid plans of spouse and men...
weather in midwest crippled flights to darn near everywhere!!
I never saw so many HK's in my life--every LIM flt had 35-50 inconvenienced/misconnected pax
Mostly I think due to tour groups that "had" to fly together--one large Asian bunch of about 15 on one standby list. those poor people were helpless and clueless about anything. GA's had trouble pronouncing names and group had deer in headlights look--like a little herd of goats in the road.
we moved hotel/taxi arrangements so many times I got dizzy. Finally realized we MIGHT get on in anotehr day and it was too much sitting in ATL hotel.
So we tried IST, ATH, MAD, BCN--HKG, SEA--you name it, we couldn't get to gateway in NY or DTW or ANYWHERE. except one flight to MCO was open and we headed there and went to sister's in Daytona.
WHat a disaster!
SOOOO--I talked Boss into going during his no fly days. The hotel was going to cancel 100% if I didnt give new dates yesterday.
More when I get there!!
Palms--tell your brotehr about a Pisco distillery: El Sarcay de Azpitia. It's where my friends went without us and said it was great!

Sorry to hear all that. Summers suck for travel. The bro seems to be hung up with important meetings and people. Tells me he met the Peruvian President. Garcia.

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Originally Posted by mrs767er

best laid plans of spouse and men...
weather in midwest crippled flights to darn near everywhere!!

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You plan and plan, rearrange schedules, watch loads for weeks, and it all boils down to.........the weather.
http://bestsmileys.com/umbrellas/5.gif

"Sorry to hear all that. Summers suck for travel. The bro seems to be hung up with important meetings and people. Tells me he met the Peruvian President. Garcia."


HA HA--so did Joran VanderSlut Puppy!!
Aside from that issue, it's pretty impressive.

Joran Vanderschmuk met up with the daughter of a Peruvian politician that ran for the presidency. Not the same guy.

the worst part of this is that there are no major weather issues and today there are 33 HK's and 25 nonrevs.
ACK !! (doing my best "Bill the Cat" impression)

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Originally Posted by 29palms

Joran Vanderschmuk met up with the daughter of a Peruvian politician that ran for the presidency. Not the same guy.

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Oh, you're right- but didn't her father run for the VICE presidency? This whole bunch sounds like they're morally bankrupt

This is why it's great to be retired...no Summer travel/no holiday travel.