Nov. 1, 2011 - Lima, Day 2

Today is all Saints Day and it is a holiday in Lima and a parade is being held in Lima to celebrate this day. We have two shore excursions planned - Dorothy is to go on a Shopper's Delight excursion and I am going on Archaeological Day in Lima. My excursion started early at 9.30 AM.
First we went to visit Huaca Huallamarca located in the district of San Isidro. This was an oracle center that was used for 1200 years until the Spanish Conquest of Peru. This consisted of a large Adobe hill and a museum. We climbed the monument and had a great view of the rather upper class neighborhood. At the top we saw where there were burnt remains of previous sacrifices. Next we saw Huaca Pucliana which is another oracle monument in the Miraflores district that was active between the 5th and 6th centuries. However we could not go on this monument as we could with the previous one as it was still being restored and protected by a large fence. This monument was much larger than the previous one and also was in a upper class neighborhood.
Our last visit was to a the National Museum of Anthropology which has the largest collections in Peru of artifacts from the pre-Hispanic cultures. This museum had exhibits that include Chavin stone sculptures, textiles from Paracas, Nasca and Mochica ceramics and Chimu metal works.
Dorothy went on her shopping excursion and came home with many nice items for herself and for gifts for Christmas. We both had a great day and are really enjoying our cruise.

Huaca Hallamarca pyramid

How the oracle was buried in a sitting position.

Con at the foot of the ramp of the Huaca Huallamarca pyramid.

Huaca Pucliana pyramid in the process of being restored.

Statue of Simon Bolivar who help the Peruvians to gain independence from Spain.

The National Archaeological Museum

Mummies wrapped in a sitting position.

Model of a famous Inca settlement.

Original pottery items that are over 2,000 years old.

Gold ornaments for one of the rulers of Peru.