We arrived mid-afternoon to the Hotel Win Meir. It was very basic and clean—nothing on the walls, a non-working television, and to our surprise, great towels. We walked to a nearby restaurant, Café 900 for a huge lunch (they had great vegetarian options). While eating, we watched a trio of men repairing a telephone line. They had a ladder leaning against the wires and simply shifted the ladder (with the man on it) over a few inches as needed. We were happy when they completed the project and were all safely on the ground. The streets are very narrow and there are plenty of fast moving mopeds, cars, vans, and trucks. Heads up pedestrians…we do not have the right-of-way! While walking from the Plaza de Armas to our hotel, a Russian man (now living in Peru) started to chat with us. He recommended that we stay close to our hotel at night. We took his advice.
The following day we visited numerous archeological sites and museums. We started at Huaca Rajada (aka Sipán) and the Museo de Sitio Huaca Rajada to see the Moche archeological site in the Lambayeque Valley famous for the discovery of the Lord of Sipán (two lords and a shaman). The site was not excavated until the beginning of 1987.
We then drove to Túcume, also known as the Valley of the Pyramids. This historic site near La Raya Mountain south of the La Leche River covers over 540 acres and has more than 26 pyramids and mounds. Artifacts show that the Lambayeqye, Chimú and Inca cultures occupied the area and construction of the pyramids was completed around 700 AD. Archeologists hypothesize that it would have taken 2,000 workers a year to make the bricks for just one pyramid and many more to actually build the pyramid. There was a lovely overlook and small museum to appreciate the area. We ended the day at the Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán (Royal Tombs of Sipàn Museum). The museum mimics how they found the tombs and houses the original treasures discovered. No photography allowed.
We ran into a woman we met in El Brujo and arranged to have dinner at Fiesta. The restaurant opened more than 30 years ago and serves ancient Moche foods. Ian enjoyed octopus, salmon and steak. We later learned that the restaurant expanded and opened a second location in Lima.
