.

After four more lazy days at sea, we were scheduled to arrive in Lima in the morning on Sunday, May 5. On May 1, we moved the clocks ahead for the last time. During the day, the ship's staff set up a variety of activities to break the sameness of sea days. There was a pseudo-Olympics among the senior officers and the entertainment staff one day and a "Country Fair", with game booths set up by the various crew teams (e.g. Butlers, Bar Staff, Housekeeping, Engineering, Restaurant). There was a boat building contest with teams only able to use materials found commonly on the ship and each boat had to support 4 or 6 cans of soda. They were to be launched in the pool, but on that day we had high seas and the pool was sloshing up the sides 2-3 feet. So they just put them in the hot tub to see if they would float. Plastic water bottles seemed to be a common building material. Rob and Daryl went to an Italian Wine Tasting one day and also booked another cruise, from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in November 2014. Yes, we know...Australia in Spring 2014 was to be the last one. But Daryl really, really likes to be spoiled on board so she convinced Rob. We are wait-listed for the cabin we want so there is still a chance it won't happen. We continually moved our dinner plans around during these last few days so we could eat with our favorite crew members.

On May 5, we docked in Lima. We had signed up at the last minute for a 6 1/2 hour tour called Lima: Now and Then provided by the ship, so that we could get a feel for Lima and know what we wanted to see when we got back on Wednesday. It turned out to be a great choice. We were a smallish group of 22, with an excellent guide from Abercrombie and Kent, named Ofelia. Our bus first took us on a panoramic tour of the city and she explained that Lima has a population of 9 million and is broken into 43 smaller cities with separate mayors and governments which make all the decisions. We saw the main Plazas and buildings, the "favelas" or shanty towns built on the side of the hills above the city, the monasteries and churches, but just from the outside. We then headed for the San Ysidro section, where we visited a pyramid built in Inkan times and used as a burial site. It is in the middle of the nicest part of Lima and was completely hidden under a mound of sand until the 1970 earthquake cracked the sand shell. They have on display a mummy from the tomb and a number of artifacts that were found in the deep graves dug into the sides of the pyramid. We climbed to the top of the pyramid and had a great view of this part of Lima, which is home to embassies and the homes of ambassadors and has a huge golf course and country club, right in the middle of a teeming metropolis.

We then drove to the shore in the Miraflores area and walked along the embarcadero to Lovers Park for a photo opp (as you will see.) There is also a large shopping mall built into the side of the cliffs above the beach. The parasail guys were trying to take off, but the wind was not in their favor.

Next, we went to a local market and walked around for 1/2 hour. Ofelia showed us the local Peruvian produce, which is all much larger than our version. The ears of corn are about 3 times the size we see and the kernels are the size of your thumb nail. We later found out they are not as sweet as our corn. However, they have corn in 50 different colors and use it for a variety of drinks as well as a starch. Some in our group were not accustomed to seeing meats, organ meats and poultry displayed without refrigeration and had some issues. The final turn-off to some was the huge grubs, which were crawling around in a basket. They are dipped in batter live and then deep fried and are a delicacy.

Our final stop was at a home, owned by the same family for several generations and filled with beautiful artwork and stained glass. The current owner, Maria, greeted us and showed us through the home and discussed her family and the history of Peru and its politics, etc. Then her staff served us the Peruvian drink, a Pisco Sour, and a variety of Peruvian appetizers. After 30 minutes of drinks and yucca with cheese sauce, we moved to the dining room for a 3 course Peruvian lunch. First we had "causas", which is very popular and dates back to women feeding the soldiers for freedom from Spain or the "cause." This particular version consisted of a layer of cold mashed golden potatoes mixed with large corn kernels, then flaked tuna, sliced avocado and another layer of mashed potatoes. Apparently, there a number of types of causa, but they are all based on the cold mashed potatoes and they are very good. The second course was chicken with mushrooms in a sauce and rice. Most meals have both potatoes and rice, mainstays of Peruvian menus. Dessert was custard apples in citrus juice and a mousse made of another Peruvian fruit. The white-gloved servers also poured both white and red wine from bottles in silver holders. It was a really nice experience. After thanking Maria, we all headed for the bus and our trip back to the ship to pack.

Large suitcases had to be outside the cabin doors by 10pm. We jammed everything we could into the large bags, not caring about the weight issues, and took only what we would need for our post-cruise package to Cusco and Machu Picchu plus valuables.

Our friends were also on a tour, but 9 1/2 hours. When they got back to the ship we all met in our cabin to finish off any liquor that was left, before going our separate ways to dinner. They had to depart the ship at 3:30am for a 7am flight to Miami and then Chicago and we had to disembark at 5am as we were in the first group going to Cusco on a 6:50am flight.