Celebrity Xpedition Galapagos and Machu Picchu trip - from Cusco to Lima, from 11,000 feet to sea level
We were up early once again (but nothing like tomorrow...) as we had to depart the hotel at 7:00 for the bus ride to the airport. Our Latam flight was essentially on time - not Latam's strong suit and we jetted our way to Lima. We caught some nice views of the snowcapped Andes on the way.
What is the easiest way to know you have returned to sea level? The sea! In this case, the Pacific Ocean.
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| The sky was overcast and the air was humid - a stark difference from the dry air and clear skies at a higher elevation |
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| Intrepid surfers were braving the 54F water to take advantage of the large waves |
Our first stop was a restaurant called Cala for what was arguably the best meal of the week.
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| They started everyone off with a Pisco Sour |
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| The Causa appetizer was fabulous |
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| Arlona loved her paella |
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| My beef dish was wonderful |
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| The chocolate cake was amazing - Arlona brought most of hers back to the hotel and had it instead of dinner |
We left the restaurant and went to Lima's Bohemian district for a brief walking tour.
There is street art and sculptures all over the place.
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| This church, Iglesia La Ermita, was interesting |
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| They had been doing repairs on the structure and had covered the main dome with plastic |
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| Vultures decided they liked the place and tore apart the plastic, making themselves right at home |
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| There are more than fifty vultures on the roof |
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| This bridge is known as the Bridge of Sighs and is frequented by couples in love |
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| It is said that if you make a wish just before crossing the bridge, it will come true |
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| Even the walkway had style |
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| Parroquia La Santisima Cruz |
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| The one-story library - I said, "Wow, that must be small - a library with only one story" |
We boarded our bus for our tour's final stop - Hotel B for a mixology class.
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| Hotel B |
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| Interesting art |
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| I know that stance |
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| Sitting down for class |
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| Some of the classroom materials |
Our first drink was the national drink of Peru, the Pisco Sour.
- 1oz simple syrup
- 1oz lime juice
- 3oz Pisco
- 1oz egg white
- 3 drops of bitters for decoration
You mix all ingredients in a shaker with about six or seven ice cubes and shake vigorously. Then strain into a chilled glass, reserving the last ounce or so. Swirl that in the shaker to make foam and then strain the foam on top. Drop three drops of bitters on top and serve.
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| Pisco is a Brandy-like liquor distilled from grapes |
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| The perfect Pisco Sour |
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| Each drink was paired with a small plate - causa in this case |
The second drink was the Basilisk.
- 1oz cucumber syrup
- 1oz passion fruit juice
- 2oz Gin
- 1 basil sprout
Pour everything into a shaker and add the basil sprout after slapping it and rubbing it in your hands to release the aroma. Shake vigorously over ice and then strain into a carafe filled with ice pellets. Fill with sparking water and garnish with a cucumber slice and basil sprout. Serve with a straw.
The final drink was the Inca Soul.
- 1/2oz raspberry syrup
- 1oz pomelo juice
- 1oz Fierce Martini Vermouth
- 2oz 14 Inka Vodka
Add all ingredients to a rocks glass filled with ice. Twist an orange peel to release the oil and rub along the rim and group in the glass. Garnish with raspberries.
It was a fun experience and we had a great time.
That marked the end of the tour and the end of this Machu Picchu extension. We took a walk around the block and returned to the hotel.
We did have dinner available in the hotel but we weren't hungry, well, I wasn't and Arlona did have her cake. Traffic is nuts here.
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| This is the view around 5:00 |
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| And this was at 6:30 |
It's time to get a little shuteye before we have to be in the lobby at 3:00 AM to catch our ride to the airport. I'll wrap this all up with final thoughts tomorrow night from home.
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