Christmas (24, 25 December 2005)

Christmas Eve 2005, how quickly it has come around. Christmas in Peru is celebrated with the traditional tree - just like back in Australia.


The timing is a little different though. We went to mass at 9pm and then returned to the home for dinner. Here we are from left to right, John, Saul, Lorena, Tatiana, Alberto, Rodigo, Ines, Carmen and Eduardo.


The following day we had another gathering of friends, from left to right, Tata, Teresa, Maqui, Carmen, Lucho, John, Lorena and Brunella.


There were quite a few presents to be opened! We were doing this at 2am in the morning of Christmas day. Amazing.

Christmas - Family (24 December 2005)

The present giving was fun. One gift at a time along with a photo. Here we are exchanging gifts with Lorena's family. Carmen loved the presents from Bruce and Christine in Australia (John's parents). These included australian porcelain plates, australian place mats and australian chocolates.


Here we are with Lorena's father, Saul, who decided to give everyone books from his private library. Lorena received a book on business management and John, books on Aviation Law and Regulations (in spanish). Plenty to read!

Lorena's brother, Alberto, gave us a wonderful silver frame in which we will put our best wedding photo. Also a cheese platter and salad spoons made of wood and silver. Very special presents for our future home.

Our Civil Wedding (16 December 2005)

We had many things to do before the wedding. There were some beaurocratic procedures to go through. And then of course John had to buy a new suit, shirt, shoes and belt (and get a haircut). Lorena is here in her new dress with a natural bouquet. We are ready to be married.



The ceremony was performed at the council offices of La Molina in Lima, Peru. There were two details of note. The celebrant spoke in a booming voice (evidence on the DVD) and secondly the backdrop to the ceremony was dominated by a huge painting. "The battle of Angamos 8th of October 1879" (Hardly romantic). However the ceremony went very well.

So here we are in 1879!

And now, a "just married" couple, and very happy to be spending our lives together.

Civil Wedding Ceremony - Guests (16 December 2005)

The day of the wedding was very exciting. Here we are with Lorena's parents, almost ready to leave the house, John, Carmen, Saul and Lorena.

It was a beautiful (slightly hot) day in La Molina for the wedding. Everybody arrived in plenty of time. Our two witnesses for the ceremony were Valeria (left) and Brunella.

Lunch at the Country Club of San Isidro from left to right, Alberto, Saul, Valeria, John, Lorena, Brunella, Vanessa, Tatiana, Judith, Teresa (partially obscured), Carmen (really obscured).

Outside the club after lunch, John with the girls (L-R) Vanessa, Judith, Lorena, John, Cecilia, Valeria and Brunella.

Here is the evidence, the bouquet, the rings and the document.

Lima (11,13,16 November 2005)

John's birthday was on the 11th of November and we invited some friends to come over to celebrate with family. We ate pizza (there was a lot) and then had the most excellent cake adorned with ?? candles (Lorena thought it was a big job to use all those candles). Here from left to right are Alberto, Tatiana, Lorena, John, Carmen and Teresa.

The cake was made of layers of chocolate cake and "lucuma" cream. Lucuma is a Peruvian fruit, and it is John's favorite. Hmmmmm!!!


On Sunday 13th of November we had a family lunch together at Pardo's Chicken in Larcomar (Miraflores). Here from left to right are John, Lorena, Alberto, Carmen and Saul.



John was planning to return home to Australia to see his family so we decided to visit the Indian markets in Miraflores to buy some Christmas presents. Here we are on 16th of November looking at artesanias (handcrafts) - we bought a present for Bruce at this store.

Trujillo (05 November 2005)

Our bus for Lima was due to leave at 10pm, so we had only the afternoon and evening left to see some of Trujillo. We visited the buildings of colonial heritage in the city.

One of which was the toy museum. It was a little disturbing to see toys of my childhood there, I was captured on film here viewing model soldiers,

and Lorena was spotted with the dolls.

So sad, the end of our holiday. We are looking forward to more holidays to be spent together in the future.

Huacas del sol y de la luna (05 November 2005)

The temple of the sun can be seen in the background of this photo. It is the largest single precolumbian structure in Peru and was built by the Moche culture (200AD to 800AD). The temple is still to be investigated by archeologists. The smaller temple of the moon, (on which we are standing) has numerous rooms containing ceramics, metals and friezes.

The pyramid was built from 0AD to about 600AD each generation adding to and building over the top of, that which had gone before.

In the photo above one can see soldiers heading off to battle in the upper row, and slaves being led to sacrifice (?) in the lower.

All in all it was another good day. However I cannot finish without paying tribute to Ay-Payec (which should be said in an awed whisper). Ay-Payec is the god of water, and is depicted carrying an axe in one hand and a severed head in the other! Hmmmm.

Huanchaco and Arco Iris (04 November 2005)

After Chan Chan we headed for lunch at the nearby fishing village of Huanchaco. Here you can see the traditional "totora" (reed) fishing boats, still used by the local fisherman.

Here we are on the jetty, (need to work on the camera angle).


Back in Trujillo we visited the Huaco Iris, one of the best preserved Chimu temples. (It was covered with sand until the 1960's). It has slightly pyramidal walls decorated with repeated rainbow designs. Opportunity for more photos!

Chan Chan (04 November 2005)

The Chimu empire (800AD to 1470AD) built their huge capital at Chan Chan (near Trujillo), covering about 28 sq km it is the largest adobe city in the world. The city consists of nine major subcities (or compounds) all of which have been extensively damaged by the ravages of time. A visit to the most preserved area, "The Tschudi Complex" reveals some remarkable constructions.

Here we are in the Ceremonial Courtyard. Being close to the sea the Chimu based much of thir diet on seafood. Hence the theme of the sea in their designs.

This wall is one of the most famous in Peru, the wall showing waves of fish rippling along the wall above a line of sea birds.

Here we are in the "audience rooms," the design on the walls is representative of fishing nets.

Chan Chan was definitely worth the visit.

Chiclayo (03 November 2005)

Chiclayo was a pleasant town, of course we visited the Plaza de Armas.

We went to the nearby Lambayeque to visit the Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipan. This museum is a world class facility and was most impressive. You will have to take our word for it though (cameras not permitted).

And of course a little time spent at the artesenial stalls (in this case while waiting for a bus to return from the archaeological site of Sipan).


Needless to say we did spent quite some time on buses on this trip.

Sipan (03 November 2005)

The archaeological site of Sipan was worth a visit. It was only discovered as recently as 1987, and was found to contain a remarkable number of high quality artifacts. The site is still a work in progress and contains representations of the tomb contents. The actual items are housed at a museum in Lambayeque (nearby).

And here we are viewing another tomb.

The pyramids of Sipan, were constructed entirely from mud bricks.


They have understandably detieorated over time due to wind and rain. Can you spot Lorena?

A day well spent together.