And so it begins, after months of preparation, excitement, doubts, sacrifices, hope, heartaches, as well as endless admin and bureaucracy, here we are: Lima Peru, June 2015.

Why are you starting in Lima I hear you ask? Many different reasons really.

Initially we were thinking of embarking on a more traditional South to North or North to South journey, which would have been ideal in practical terms, but we quickly realised that weather and seasons would not have been on our side as we moved from country to country. So, instead of planning the trip around the geography of the continent, we decided to plan it around the weather, i.e. Chasing the good season!

Starting at the end of June, the middle point of South America seemed like the ideal place to then move South in the following 5-6 months to the very edge of the continent, and eventually move back further North once the weather permits it.

We knew Lima (and a good chunk of Peru as well) and we knew we liked it, so why not ease our way into the trip in a place where we felt comfortable and where we already knew people and had a cool place to stay?

Starting in Lima also meant that we could kick off the adventure by visiting our good friends Ana, Mauricio and Chico at Residencial Miraflores, and boy where we right!

They made us feel at home from day one and kept us busy and entertained by taking us to cool places for delicious Lima-style lunches, and by encouraging us to support Peru in the current Copa America (a very respectable 3^rd place, well done Peru!).

Residencial Miraflores was also the right choice because it’s a very inclusive environment (mostly thanks to Ana) and thus a great place to meet fellow travellers and exchange tips and advice, as well as making friends. And this time was no exception: we met tonnes of great people like Dutch Esther and Vince and American Lindsey And Craig, and it was great to hear their stories and bond over a few ceviches and cuzquenas!

And of course we got to celebrate Jess’s birthday in typical Lima style by visiting the excellent chevicheria “El Muelle” in Barranco, with a surprise birthday cake thanks to the ever so thoughtful Ana!

This time Lima was all about the people, both the people at the B&B and the people in the streets. We greatly enjoyed our visits to the colourful Surquillo market with its endless fruit and juice stalls as well as the cevicherias with the freshest fish imaginable.

So less culture and museums this time but more intimate discovery of what the city has to offer. Despite the unique meteorological conditions that surround Lima, that is, perpetual fog and lack of sun, Lima remains a vibrant and exciting city, a true developed capital with plenty of art and culture that has not lost its South American soul and traditions.

I would absolutely recommend it to anyone wanting to start a Peruvian or South American journey, a great place to acclimatise before moving on to less polished parts of the continent.

Looking forward to being back in 6 months or so!