Lima, Peru - Day 2

Welcome back to our Peruvian Adventure.

On the second day, we awoke on the children's schedule. Not rushed to do anything at all. We had a homemade breakfast and then packed up to head to the zoo.

As Jared said on Day one, in Sesame Street fashion, the word for this week is "PATIENCE". We practiced this many times a day! The boys learned patience in waiting for all of our transportation vehicles!

Our ride took us along the coast and we enjoyed some amazing views. The waves along this area of the coast are huge and perfect for surfing. We enjoyed watching the surfers in their element.  Along the coast, they are creating a new highway and new park area. The path runs along the coast for runners, bikers, and skaters. There are parks for roller derby, bicycle ramps, skater ramps, and so much more. It will be an incredible area once it is complete!

Arriving at the Parque de las Leyendas (Legends Park), we were overwhelmed by the number of people! We were bombarded by locals selling umbrellas, snacks, and souvenirs. Once we entered, we located a map and began to take in the environment. 

The park is divided into four zones; the coast, dessert, forest and international. The entire zoo sits on archaeological site and seeing these ruins as you walk around the zoo is an experience in itself. 

We easily spent five to six hours exploring this area. Some animals, we are used to seeing in the zoo, and some where new to us! The boys really enjoyed the monkeys and the tigers. The animals were very active when we were there which is another exciting aspect! 

Interesting and fun fact: Peruvians throw credit cards into the water for good luck!

Our lunch was at a restaurant inside the zoo where we tried the tradicional Peruvian dish of chicken, fries and salad. Unbeknownst to us, this dish is HUGE. So, we ordered one per person and ended up with a TON of extra food. Lesson learned!

This girl can go from moving and shaking to nap taking in an instant! Thank goodness for light-weight strollers when traveling!

Always a beautiful picture!

Some of the ruins - you cannot get too close, just admire from a distance. 

After walking the entire park, we bought some souvenirs and posed for some pictures. 

Once we were back at the apartment, we once again, researched where we would head for dinner. Jaime, always the thinker, found a place with many options and space for children to move around. We found ourselves walking to Mercado 28. This was one of our most favorite places that we ate, and of course, we did not take many photos! Options were chicken, tacos, sushi, ceviche, beef, pizza, dessert and more! Something to please everyone. AND, right in the middle of it all...the bar!

Zane enjoying his sushi. Alden had a Poke Bowl (which of course, he loved! That boy and his vegetables!!). Greg and I enjoyed tacos. Jaime, Jared, Reeve had tacos and ceviche. We all enjoyed our food tremendously!

The boys enjoyed entertaining Reeve!

Jaime commented many times - you can tell your boys are sons of a photographer. They constantly pose themselves, smile and beg for a picture!

Alden enjoying dessert!

Alden and Uncle Jared having fun together! 

Fun in the elevator on the way back for the night!

Everyone went to bed peacefully and early as we prepared for our first 'excursion' the next day!

Next up: Day 3 - Boat Tour and Swimming with Sea Lions!