18th Oct. 2016
In short, there isn’t much for us to do today – a final photo or two in Cancun; pick up a coffee on the way to the bus station; then wait whilst the Mexicans sort themselves out – nothing is accomplished in the most direct manner and instead requires significant discussion and gesticulating, but everything works out in the end. The bus to the airport takes a little over the hour and fortunately we can get into the lounge (thanks LoungePass) and sit comfortably before spending the last of our pesos on chocolate and water and boarding the plane.
Landing in Lima was even more straightforward. The plane is early and being in seats 1A & 1C we are first off. There is no queue (at all) at immigration and there is no fee to pay, so we are straight through. Our bags are 1st & 3rd to appear on the conveyor – the priority tags actually seemed to work. A quick stop at the ATM to pick up some Soles – and we are on our way at around the time we expected the plane to touch down.
It isn’t like us to take the easy option of an official airport taxi, but that is the advice in LP. Once we get out of the airport we can see why as the traffic is mad. It is rush hour in Lima and the roads are full. The number of lanes in use seems to be dependent not on the white lines, but on the number of cars that will physically fit across the road. No quarter is given to other drivers – it is all “parlez vous shoulder-blades” and honking of horns. I had expected the traffic in Mexico City to be like this, but they were much more restrained in comparison.
Our hotel is in the historical centre of Lima and by the time we got there we were no longer hungry but in need of a beer. After dropping our bags off we head out for a brief exploration of the nearby Plaza St Martin and in search of a bar. Although it proves a little more difficult than anticipated, our beer hunting skills are well evolved and up to the task and we even get a view of the illuminated statue of the independence hero in the middle of a square surrounded by brightly lit imposing buildings. We’re going to have fun learning more about all of this tomorrow.
This trip was always going to be split into two halves. Today is distinctly the end of the Central American section and start of the South American piece of our journey. As from the tone of our posts from the last couple of days, our return to the Yucatan prompted us to reminisce and reflect on this first half. In particular, for the region, is it ‘see you soon’ or goodbye? I can’t see us coming back to the Yucatan again – we have great memories but we don’t like the pace of commercialisation. As for Mexico proper, I hope the blog reflects just how much we enjoyed our time here – the cities, the variety, the people. We loved every minute and I’d happily come back. So, hasta luego or adios? Let’s just leave it with “¡Hola, Peru!”