利马第一天 Day one in Lima

Saturday, November 30, 2024: The Second Day of Our Lima Trip

早上8点多才睡醒，已经很久没有睡到这么晚了，楼下车来车往的声音和喇叭声把我吵醒了。复式结构的民宿住起来确实不太方便，上下楼很麻烦，感觉下次不会再选了，不过也算是被强迫地锻炼身体了。

Of course, going to bed at 3am means we didn’t wake up until after 8am, something we haven’t done in a long time! The sounds of cars and honking from the street below eventually woke us up. Staying in this Airbnb turned out to have a few drawbacks – along with the street noise, having stairs made getting around a hassle. I don’t think we would choose this type of place again, but at least it is forcing us to get daily exercise!

我们看上去很吸引人的民宿房间和景色 – Our Airbnb listing had an appealing room and view…

今天的第一个任务是买电话卡，我们选了Movistar，之前来南美时用过，感觉还不错。不过买卡的过程还是挺折腾的。先要在门口登记护照信息，然后拿号排队，等叫号后去第一个窗口办理预付费卡；接着到第二个窗口，不太清楚具体是在做什么，最后还要去第三个窗口拿卡。整个流程特别费时间，完全勾起上次在南美洲的回忆，回忆起=起了不会西班牙语的难处，全程靠谷歌翻译才勉强搞定。电话卡是免费的，只需要去超市药房之类的地方充值即可。但充值也不简单，超市的工作人员不会说英语，最后充值了10秘鲁新索尔，拿到了2.5GB的流量。终于折腾完毕，解决了上网的问题。

The first task of the day was to buy a SIM card. We chose Movistar, which we had used during a previous trip to South America and found it to be pretty reliable. However, the process of getting the card was quite a hassle. First, we had to register our passport information at the front desk and take a number. After waiting for our number to be called, we went to the first counter to apply for a prepaid SIM card. Then, we were directed to a second counter for some unclear purpose, and finally, to a third counter to collect the card. The whole process was time-consuming and brought back memories of our last trip to South America, especially the challenges of not knowing Spanish. Once again, we had to rely entirely on Google Translate to get through it.

The SIM card itself was free, but we needed to recharge it at a supermarket or pharmacy. Even that wasn’t straightforward, as the supermarket staff didn’t speak English. After some effort, we managed to top up 10 Peruvian soles, which gave us 2.5GB of data. Finally, after all the trouble, we got our internet sorted out. This method is by far the cheapest way to go!

没有吃早饭的我俩，随便在一家小店喝了两杯咖啡，吃了简单的早午餐，共计72新比索，我给了5新比索的小费。Skipping breakfast, we stopped by a small café for two cups of coffee and a “simple” brunch. The total came to 72 soles, not bad!

吃完午饭，步行去了著名的拉尔科马尔购物中心。它位于利马的米拉弗洛雷斯区，坐落在俯瞰南太平洋的悬崖边。其独特的地理位置使其成为欣赏海景的绝佳地点。购物中心内有众多商店、餐厅和娱乐场所，游客可以在这里一边购物，一边享受壮丽的海景。所以凭借其独特的设计和优越的地理位置，拉尔科马尔购物中心已成为利马的热门旅游景点，吸引着众多游客前来体验。

After lunch, we walked to the famous Larcomar Shopping Center not far from our airbnb in in Lima’s Miraflores district. It is built into a cliff overlooking the ocean, offering breathtaking views of the South Pacific. The shopping center features numerous stores, restaurants, and entertainment options, allowing visitors to shop while taking in the stunning scenery. Thanks to its unique design and prime location, Larcomar has become one of Lima’s most popular tourist destinations, drawing countless visitors to experience its charm.

沿着南太平洋步行十几分钟，到了著名的爱情公园，这是一座以浪漫为主题的海滨公园。同样地，公园位于悬崖之上，面朝太平洋，拥有美丽的海景，可以今天的天气还是有些雾霭。公园中心矗立着一座名为《吻》的雕塑，展现了一对情侣深情拥吻的瞬间，象征着热烈与永恒的爱。

A short walk along the coastal path brought us to the famous Love Park, a romantic seaside park. Like many attractions in the area, it is perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, offering beautiful views, though today the scenery was partially shrouded in mist. At the center of the park stands a sculpture called The Kiss, capturing a couple locked in a passionate embrace—a symbol of intense and eternal love.

公园内到处都是用彩色马赛克装饰的长椅，上面刻着关于爱情的动人语句，营造出温馨浪漫的氛围。这里是情侣们拍照留念和欣赏日落的绝佳地点，也是利马不可错过的地标之一。公园还提供滑翔伞活动。从悬崖起飞，在专业教练的陪伴下，游客可以翱翔于太平洋上空，俯瞰利马的城市全景和壮丽的海岸线。这种独特的体验，让爱情公园不仅充满浪漫，也多了一份冒险的乐趣。可惜，我是没有那个胆量的。

The park features colorful mosaic-decorated benches, each inscribed with touching quotes about love, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot for couples to take photos and enjoy the sunset, making it one of Lima’s must-visit landmarks. The park also offers paragliding activities. From the cliff’s edge, visitors can take off with a professional instructor, soaring over the water and taking in stunning views of Lima’s skyline and coastline. This unique experience adds an adventurous twist to the park’s romantic vibe. Sadly, neither of us have the courage to give it a try!

拉莫利纳灯塔，建于1900年，高约22米，漆成经典的蓝白相间条纹，非常醒目。灯塔目前仍在使用，夜晚时它的灯光为周围海域的航行提供指引，同时也为这片海岸线增添了浪漫气息。The La Marina Lighthouse, built in 1900, stands 22 meters tall and is painted in classic blue and white stripes, making it highly distinctive. Still operational today, its light guides navigation in the surrounding waters at night, while adding a touch of romance to the coastal landscape.

有一天晚上，我无意中找到了一份秘鲁50家最佳餐厅的名单。在家时，随手通过其中一家餐厅La Gloria Miraflores的网站发送了一个信息，试着预约晚餐。没想到餐厅很快回复，并为我们预订了今晚7点半的晚餐。所以今晚，我们在那里尝试了一次精致餐饮。总体来说，性价比还不错，没有其他精致餐厅那种离谱的价格。

Before we left home, I came across a list of the best restaurants in Peru. While browsing, I casually sent a message through the website of one of them, La Gloria Miraflores, to inquire about dinner reservations. To my surprise, the restaurant immediately replied and confirmed a booking for 7:30 on our first evening. So, tonight, we had the chance to enjoy a fine dining experience. Overall, the value for money was quite reasonable, without the overly absurd prices often associated with other upscale dining spots.

左边的是秘鲁著名的酸橘汁腌鱼, 右边是菜单上写的”非常秘鲁”的一道开胃菜，里面有鱼，牛油果，橄榄和酸豆。On the left is Peru’s famous ceviche, and on the right is an appetizer described on the menu as “Very Peruvian,” featuring fish, avocado, olives, and capers.

左边是PJG点的意大利饺子和我点的一种鱼，西班牙语的名字忘记了，味道感觉缺了一点儿什么。An Italian ravioli dish on the left ordered by PJG and a type of fish I ordered – though I’ve forgotten its name in Spanish – felt like it was missing something in the flavor department.

对利马的第一印象是一个典型的发展中国家，街道上川流不息的车辆和此起彼伏的喇叭声营造出一种略显混乱的城市节奏。然而，悬崖边的壮丽海景为这座城市增添了一份独特的魅力。最让我期待的，还是享受世界闻名的秘鲁美食。

My first impression of Lima is that it’s a typical developing country, with bustling streets filled with endless traffic and the constant sound of honking, creating a somewhat chaotic urban rhythm. However, the stunning coastal views from the cliffs add a unique charm to the city. What I’m most looking forward to though, is to continue indulging in Peru’s world-renowned cuisine.