Cities

Riding with Elvis ... to Three Forests

Riding with Elvis ... to Three Forests

Peru is well known for its diversity, with the much-quoted triumvirate of Coast (Pacific), Mountains (Andes) and Jungle (Amazon) only providing a hint at the number of distinct eco-systems within her borders. To get an intense feel for this diversity, Peru North can recommend making the drive from Tarapoto in the department of San Martin, to Chiclayo in Lambayeque, on Peru's northern coast. And who better to have at the wheel for a journey as intensely spectacular as this, in the company of one's parents, than a driver called 'Elvis'. (This was not a nickname.)

The Pisco Earthquake

The Pisco Earthquake

Peru’s President, Alan Garcia, famously gaffed on the evening of August 15th, 2007, after a powerful seismic tremor had been felt in Lima for over two minutes, saying that ‘fortunately it hadn’t been a tragic event, as there were not many victims to mourn’. 

Santa Rosa de Lima

Santa Rosa de Lima

August 30th is a public holiday in Peru in honour of Santa Rosa of Lima, the first female from the Americas to be canonized, and the patron female saint of Peru, the New World, the Philippines, the Peruvian Police Force, and the Argentinean Armed Forces ... among others.

And then the kitchen blew up ...

And then the kitchen blew up ...
  • Lima - Huancayo train line is 2nd highest in the world.

  • A remarkable engineering feat: begun in 1870 - finished in 1907.

  • Only runs intermittently, for benefit of tourists.

  • A must for rail enthusiasts.

I had been interested in the historic Lima to Huancayo train for some time, and can finally give a first-hand account of the journey.