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The Fantastic Fountains of Lima Peru

Marmelita at the fountain of traditions

I love fountains, and if you do, you will love the Circuito Mágico del Agua, or Magical Water Circuit. We are not alone. Marmelita and I were there late afternoon and evening on a Friday. At least a thousand people payed S/ 4 soles to stroll around the park and appreciate the water display.

In one interactive fountain kids of all ages get to dodge through an ever changing maze of water spouts and jets, inevitably ending up soaking wet…

Circuito Mágico del Agua, Magical Water Circuit

There are 13 spectacular fountains one of which is billed as the tallest  fountain spout in a public park, at 80 meters high, and together make up the biggest fountain complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

This simple foutain landscape was calming

Of course fountains do not have to be spectacular to be pleasing. Several simple fountains are landscaped into the park creating a calming effect.

Marmelita loved the water and light show that is performed at the Fantasy Fountain. She felt it was really magical and was very proud to be Peruvian.

The laser light show at fountain #2 starts at 7:15, 8:15, 9:30, and 10:30.

The park was inaugurated in July 2007, and is located on Av. Arequipa on the 7th block. Visiting times are from Wednesday to Sunday and holidays from 4:00pm to 10:00 pm, the park closes at 11:00pm.

The Circuito Mágico del Agua, or Magical Water Circuit, is one of the attractions we enjoyed the most during our week in Lima Peru.

The Fantastic Fountains of Lima Peru

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

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Visit the South American Explorers Clubhouse in Lima Peru

South American Explorers Club House Lima Peru

If you like interesting conversation with fellow travelers, and sipping a cup of coffee or tea, while relaxing on a comfy couch, reading English newspapers or magazines, stop by the South American Explorers Clubhouse in Lima Peru like we did. The clubhouse is located in Miraflores at Calle Piura #135. I was surprised to find the library full of scientific research volumes, and the huge collection of maps of the Amazon Basin.

It was a pleasure to meet Camille Ulmer, the manager of the Lima clubhouse. He was working on some new ideas for the South American Explorers website. I asked him if the world economic recession had affected the number of visitors to the Lima clubhouse. He told me it is the slow season now, but the numbers are up from last year during the same time period.

I was impressed that Felicita the office manager, and Laura the assistant manager, worked so hard. Oh, they were friendly and took time answer my questions, but they got right back to typing.

I have been a member of the South American Explorers Club for several years. The membership dues are $60. I think it is worth the $60 just for the on-line South America Explorer quarterly magazine, and the weekly e-newsletter, but if you travel to South America you can easily save the price of your membership by using the companies that offer a 10% discount to South America Explorer members…such as, Dawn on the Amazon.

Visit the South American Explorers Clubhouse in Lima Peru

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

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Seven Unusual Recommendations from Our Week in Lima Peru

(1) The Pretty House Hostel;

Located at Av. Mariáegui #1711 Jesús Maria District.

Always before when I passed through Lima Peru, I stayed in Miraflores, but thanks to reading my friend, Andy the Hobo Traveler’s Blog, I learned he stays at the Pretty House Hostel. Knowing he is a smart guy, I decided to give his recommendation a try, and am pleased to pass this on to you.

The Pretty House Hostel is located in Jesús Maria, only 35 minutes by taxi from the airport, 20 minutes from the Immigration building, and 15 minutes from recommendation # 6, the Circuito Mágico del Agua.

The Pretty House is clean, and safe, for S/ 60 soles for a matrimonial room, includes breakfast, and WiFi, and Mar y Sol, the owner is very nice and helpful.

(2) El Buzo Cebicheria,

Located at Av. Caminos del Inca, #1503 Surco District.

The decor of El Buzo consists of dozens of enlarged photos of the owner catching and posing with large fish. I found the photos effectively established him as an authority on fresh fish. Ultimately the proof has to be on the plate, and it was.

I enjoyed the raw marinated tuna in yellow pepper sauce, with a large portion of seaweed and sweet potatos for S/ 26 soles. Mamelita loved the shrimp ceviche for S/ 33. I sampled her shrimp and thought they were among the freshest, most delicious I have ever tasted. The place was full of happy people eating beautiful food. Although we ate two meals at other restaurants that cost twice as much and one meal that was three times as much, this is the only restaurant I am recommending.

(3) Alex, Panaderia, Pasteleria, Alemana;

Located at Av. Caminos del Inca # 1506 Surco District.

A German bakery right across the street from the El Buzo Cebicheria with great breads. A regular customer recommended the apple pastries but they were not as good as grandma used to make. Grandma never made such good bread though.

(4) Wong’s Supermarkets;

Imported cheeses, good baguettes, fancy meats, fresh fish, milk, and vegetables.

(5) Jockey Plaza has an Apple iStore

I replaced my MacBook laptop.

This message is for the policy makers for the country of Peru. You should subsidize computer sales, not penalize them. A 40% custom duty is counter productive.  I bet most of the companies that are selling the pirated computers and software don’t even pay taxes. The fastest way to jump start the economy and move into the 21st century as a 1st world country, would be to eliminate all obstacles between the individual citizen and ownership of a personal computer. Don’t get left behind.

(6) Circuito Mágico del Agua, a park full of fantastic fountains;

At least 1,000 people paid the S/ 4 sole entrance fee and really seemed to be enjoying the light show on Friday night. I know we did, and I think you will to.

(7) South America Explorers Clubhouse;

Located at Calle Pirua #135 Miraflores.

We spent a couple of comfortable hours drinking coffee, looking at maps, books, periodicals, and visiting with the friendly staff.

(8)  Sun set over the Pacific Ocean;

I know, I promised you 7 unusual recommendations, and this 8th one probably doesn’t count as unusual, but here it is, a bonus recommendation for your pleasure when you are in Lima Peru. We liked our sunset, and hope you do to.

Seven Unusual Recommendations From Our Week in Lima Peru

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

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American Amazon Music Company, Iquitos Peru

Guitar Picks, Shipibo bags

A couple of months ago my neighbor from a few doors down the boulevard here in Iquitos, Bill Curtis, gave me a smooth shiny guitar pick made of some exotic tropical hardwood. I don’t play guitar, but sitting here at the computer, I have been rubbing that beautiful guitar pick nearly everyday. It  just feels good.

Bill is a musician, composer, producer, and a patron of the local artists. He is working with Emerson, one of the most talented artists in Iquitos. They are in the process of forming a company called American Amazon Music Company, to help the indigenous artists make a steady living for themselves and their families by marketing their art.

As Bill says; “All of their musical instruments, and art,  are made simply, from natural material and should last indefinitely. Such products include the Emerson/Curtis ergonomic all natural guitar picks made from the horns of the bull, koko seeds, tagua nuts, tropical hard wood scraps, or even the bones from last nights dinner.”

They will sell the guitar picks in batches of 20, mixed or separate, in beautiful bags made by the local Shipibo Indians. If you are a guitar player you will be interested in the poly-point or tri-point attack models with the artists signature graphics hand carved into the pick, such as the Sun, Bonzi Three, Anaconda Snake, Moon and Star, or Star models.

Other products include Bamboo Snake Skin mini-octobons, rhythm teeth from wild boar tusks, and rhythm clickers from bulls horns for hand percussion.

Guitar Picks, rhythm hand percussion instruments

To purchase these products, contact at aamcnine@yahoo.com

American Amazon Music Company, Iquitos Peru

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

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The Sad Tale of Too Many Fish Tails

Bernardino, one of my best fishing guides, lives under a simple thatch roof with a dirt floor in a jungle village a couple of hours upstream from Iquitos. He told me this sad story.

His wife left him, because of too many fish. She was tired of eating fish three meals a day every day. He tried to reason with her. “Poor people catch fish and eat them.”

She told him, “Not this many fish. Some poor people eat chicken once in a while.”

Bernardino replied, “But they have to raise the chickens. Fishing is what I do!”

Then she left him.

Of course I only have Bernie’s side of the tale. I can tell you this for sure though. He is a real good fishing guide.

The Sad Tale of Too Many Fish Tails

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

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