Lima, Peru (Meeting up with an old friend...)

Troy came down from the Mount Churup feeling a little bit off, and by the time the next day had dawned he was nauseous, throwing up, dizzy and had a headache.

All the classic symptoms of High Altitude Sickness.  So, travelling for him was out at a least until he felt better.

I don't know if I have mentioned or not, but my friend Petar Rikic from Croatia, who I rode part way around the world with in 2009 (Russia, Mongolia and Kazhkstan) has been riding UP from Brazil with a friend since the start of January.  

We've been keeping tabs on each other with our Spot Trackers, and he arrived in Lima yesterday.   

So, with the address of where he was in hand, I made my way to Lima by myself (Troy will catch up tomorrow when he is feeling better)

The ride from Huaraz to Lima was beautiful, from the initial twisty, winding section in the Andes it slowly straightened out until I was riding in a straight line through mountainous sand dunes that stretched down to the sea.

I hailed a Cab as I entered Lima, and gave him the address that had been provided by Petar.

Within about 1/2 hour, I was pulling up, and Petar, with a big grin on his face, was waiting outside for me.  We exchanged a big hug and some laughter.  It is really great to see him again.

My friend Petar Rikic, who I rode part way around the world with in 2009

The last time I saw Petar was in a parking lot Astrakan, Russia.

I paid off the Taxi and turned my bike into the place we were staying which turned out to be the Croatian Embassy in Peru!

Seems when Petar and his riding buddy Dominick got to town, they had to phone the embassy, and the person who answered the phone asked them to come by.  When they got there it was quite late, so the Embassy staff said "No Problem, just stay here".

When I arrived, the invitation was extended to me as well.  There is really no one here other than some minor staff, so we pretty much have the run of the entire place.  

It is a beautiful old mansion, with a huge compound out back (where our bikes are safely kept, since this is officially Croatian soil.)  There is a huge pool area, along with a weight room and pool table.  It's magnificent, and the staff are all very friendly. 

So, we've been laying by the pool, hanging out in the sunshine, and enjoying catching up on the last year and a half. 

Riding through the clouds on the way to Lima

I stopped to buy some Watermelon from these kids.  They loved the bike.

About 50km outside Lima, the road carved through these sand dunes.

Our home for a few days... The Croatian Embassy in Peru.

The bikes parked out back.  This is Croatian Soil so I put a Croatian decal on my bike.  :)

In the library (The pictures are of the Croatian Ambassadors to Peru) .  Petar is seated and Dominick is folding his sleeping mat up.

Front lobby

Staircase to the 2nd floor

The pictures on the wall are very Eastern European in feel.

The pool area and outdoor area.