Day 1 - Sydney- Auckland-Santiago-Lima

Leaving sunny Sydney our flight was on a brand new LAM Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. It was noticeably quite, and large overhead luggage bins. The  service was good, even on a full plane. 

During a 2 hr transit at Auckland we noted the All Blacks Rugby merchandise (including black cup cakes) as semi-finals are this weekend. Later we found they won against Sth Africa 20-18 to advance to the final.

The entertainment system was touch screen and worked well, and I watched Bradley Cooper disarmed a hacked satellite and save the world and also get the fighter pilot heroine. Karen also watch the movies she hadn't seen on her trip to Germany two weeks ago.

The flight from Auckland to Santiago, Chile was about 13hrs, on the same plane in different seats. We ate, slept, read and more movies and arrived with the snow capped Andes visible behind a wet Santiago. Our next transit was for the final 4hr flight to Lima,Peru. 

After mostly sleeping on the smaller jet to Lima we arrived at 16:00 , collected our backpacks (lots of red ones on baggage conveyor) and met the pre-arranged driver to take us to our hotel (IBIS hotel Miraflores).

Although our driver told us that rain was rare in Lima, it appeared to be coming. The coastline was dramatic scenery, with eroded, barren cliffs to the ocean, with small beaches in places. It was only when there was irrigation that this harshness of landscape was contrasted with the green grass and flower beds, as at Miraflores.

The hotel is modern, neat and located just back from the commercial beach area, at which we had a good dinner. Tomorrow we fly to Iquitos and the Amazon Jungle.

Karen and Paul being dropped off at 7:15AM @ Sydney Airport 

Karen and Paul being dropped off at 7:15AM @ Sydney Airport 


That's a lot of ocean to cross. 

That's a lot of ocean to cross. 

The up-market area of Miraflores

The up-market area of Miraflores

Cusquena!  what a great name.

Cusquena!  what a great name.