The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

From the Inca Empire, to the battles of the land and sea, to the preserved ruins and architecture, Samantha Morgan falls in love with Peru. bite travel B attle of A ccording to some of the natives, Peru is the richest country in the world but not in the sense of having the most of everything but more about experiencing the most un- forgettable moments. This is a place where the diversity and authenticity of the culture, nature and food hold the essence of life itself. As one of the world’s ten mega-diverse coun- tries in the world, it has hundreds of endem- ic species of flora and fauna. It is also a won- derful destination to bird watch and explore the remote and mythical natural landscapes. This beautiful South American country is one of the oldest with a 5000-year history of Peruvian settlement. Here you can explore the dusty remnants of Chan Chan, a pre-Co- lumbian city and archaeological site near Trujillo on northern Peru’s desert coast, or take in the puzzling geoglyphs found in the arid earth at Nazca. Or even venture into the rugged wilderness that surround the endur- ing fortress of Kuélap, a walled settlement located in the mountains near the towns of Maria and Tingo, in the southern part of the Amazonas. Throughout history, Peru has had its fair share of battles but perhaps the most mem- orable was the Battle of Angamos in 1879 which was an important struggle in the War of the Pacific. After their ironclad Huáscar was surrounded and captured by the Chilean army, Admiral Miguel Grau who fought to the very end was killed and therefore the Pe- ruvian Navy was unable to prevent the inva- sion of its territorial sea. Despite the defeat, Admiral Grau is considered a hero and his bravery is celebrated as a national holiday. As one of the most visited places in the city, Lima houses Plaza de Armas, also known as Plaza Mayor which was founded by Francis- co Pizarro in 1535. Here you will see some of the most historically, architecturally and administratively buildings such as the Gov- ernment Palace which has served as the headquarters of the President of Peru since the birth of the Peruvian Republic, Casa del Oidor which once housed the city’s colonial magistrates, the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima, the Cathedral of Lima and Central Fountain. An interesting place to see is Casa de Aliaga, the oldest colonial mansion in Lima and in all of the Americas. It is owned and lived in by the de Aliaga family and their descend- ants since Francisco Pizarro gave the land to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his senior com- manders, in 1535. Inside you’ll find a marble staircase that leads up to the elegant salons Valley on route from Arequipa to Chivay