Yesterday I was part of the tour to Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum, a museum established in 1926 in a renovated 1707 mansion. The museum displays the biggest private collection of pre-Columbian art that exists in the world. The museum consists about 45,000 pieces, mainly potteries that were excavated by Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle. Rafael Larco Hoyle was first exposed to ancient Peruvian artworks through the outstanding collections of his father, after whom the Museu Arqueologico Rafael Larco Herrera was named. Rafael Larco Hoyle is considered to be one of the founding fathers of Peruvian archaeology. The museum is also famed for its biggest collection of erotic pottery.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt213/photodisc/jwmarriott030310lead.jpg Miraflores district is the opposing contrast of Lima district where modern buildings and more upbeat Peru is visibly distinctive as compared to the majestic old buildings of Peru dating back from the colonial time. I thought I won’t be going out today but I did went ashore after I was done with my overtime and this time I went to Miraflores district,one of Lima City’s commercial area, about 40 minutes tavel by bus from the ship. I took the 11AM shuttle bus that left from the ship and arrived Marriott Hotel by 11:40. Since Marriott Hotel is the drop off and pick up point for the the pre-arranged shuttle buses running continuously from the ship to Miraflores, I did not have to worry about missing the bus for the return trip to the ship. Marriott Hotel is the landmark of the area and it would be very easy for me to find this high rise luxury hotel no matter where my footsteps would lead me in Miraflores.

We should be thankful to the Incas for the potato chips, mashed, roasted or baked potato that we are enjoying today. I’ve read in an article that the Incas pioneered the cooking potential of the potato and lead the way in cultivating them many many years ago.
Finally, we are now in the port of Callao, the largest and most important port in Peru. The port is facing the Pacific Ocean and is about 12 kms West of Lima City, the capital city of Peru. The ship made fast alongside the pier before 8AM today on a windless and sunny Tuesday morning (Peruvian time) – a typical Peruvian weather according to the tour guide.