I mentioned in the previous post that the ship’s WiFi was flaky. This is a bit tangential, but I have invested, for the first time, in an eSIM. This is an electronic SIM device, not requiring a physical SIM card, which runs alongside the main SIM card in one’s phone. After some fiddling around, it works really well. I’ve bought a package that gives me access to data in 19 Latin American countries, and, in Lima at least, it provides a fast 4G connection much more cheaply than roaming with the main SIM card. Well chuffed with it. It certainly works a lot better than the ship’s connection.

Anyway…..

I mentioned yesterday that we’d ordered room service for our breakfast. Dennis duly turned up well within the time slot, extricated a table top from the wardrobe and proceeded to lay out a splendid meal.

We think we’ll adopt a similar tactic whenever we have an earlyish morning excursion. Compared to our recent run of early get-ups, today was a relative lie-in.

Lovely weather – temperature about 24 degrees and a light breeze – as we boarded a bus to take us to downtown Lima for a highlights excursion under the able leadership of our guide, Ruth. It took an hour to get there – the traffic and the standard of driving are execrable – but it gave Ruth time to provide a few facts.

I’ve already said that Lima is big. It’s huge – spread out over a large distance. The full conurbation is around 60 miles from end to end, and it is very poor in places.

Lima’s name came from a Spanish corruption of the name of the river that provides Lima with its water – the Rimac. Even the name of the country came from a Spanish misspelling.

First stop was at a house that has been within the same family since 1535. It has been extensively modified over the years.

Not uninteresting, but nothing to excite either.

We weren’t allowed to venture too far into this area and, in any event, one is not allowed to take pictures inside Liman churches.

Next was the Santo Domingo convent. This was rather more interesting.

Back on the bus for our final stop in the Miraflores area, near where our Lima hotel was on the first night. This was the Lovers’ Park.

Really not quite sure why we were brought  here. Pleasant enough and demonstrates a nicer area of Lima, but not particularly engaging.

Back to the ship. This time, the port gate guard took his duties rather more seriously and actually boarded the bus. However, all he did was look at our ship boarding cards and didn’t make any notes.

On board, we had a buffet lunch in La Terrazza, the restaurant where we had enjoyed our Italian dinner last night. Not bad at all, and neither was the wine. We sat outside, admiring the operation of the container port, as the ship was not due to sail until 11 p.m.

The rest of the afternoon was spent sauntering around the ship and familiarising ourselves with the various information sources. The TV in our room played a big part in all this. I suppose it is a little less confusing as we get to grips with it.

Dinner was partaken of on Deck 10, The Grill. Steak, fries and onion rings, though Jean did have a salad. Delicious.

We were pretty knackered at this stage, but we decided to give the night life a try. Motown evening in the very nice, modern Venetian Lounge with the Silversea Singers and Dancers. Quite enjoyable without being outstanding.

By this stage, I was out on my feet. I’m normally up for a party, and a couple we’d befriended were looking to continue the fun, but I needed my bed. The cold was also beginning to take hold.

Much quieter day in prospect tomorrow as it is a sea day. I need the rest!