Peru > On the way to Lima

A little after eight in the morning, we drive toward Schiphol to start our vacation. At Schiphol, we immediately meet some fellow travelers, even before check-in. Our flight, KL 0471, is scheduled to depart at 11:00. On the way to Lima, there will be a stopover in Bonaire to refuel. With a slight delay, the plane takes off at almost 11:30. As we ascend, we fly directly over Voorhout, and I can still clearly see my house. During the flight over the ocean, we are regularly served drinks, snacks, and two hot meals. In between, movies are shown, but sleeping remains the best way to pass the time.

Peru - The llamas near Taqua at the Uyuni salt flat

We arrive in Bonaire at 3:15 p.m. local time. On the island, it is six hours earlier than in the Netherlands. Everyone stretches their legs in the 31 C heat. I try to take a photo of the airport, but my camera doesnt work (a good start is half the battle...). I cannot take a picture of Bonaire; the freshly charged batteries are already empty, and I dont understand why. After a little over an hour, we board the plane again for the final three and a half hours to Lima. Outside, it is getting dark, and the sunset is beautiful -- too bad my camera isnt working now. At 7:15 p.m. local time -- seven hours behind the Netherlands -- the plane lands at Lima airport. We meet our tour guides, Kristina and Rik, who escort us to the bus. The bus ride to our hotel in the Mira Flores district takes almost half an hour. In the lounge, we are offered a welcome drink, the program for the coming days is explained, and the rooms are assigned. For Corrie, the evening starts off less well: the reception asks for her passport, and she has lost it. She thinks she left it at the airport. Fortunately, after some searching, it turns out her passport is in her room. At ten oclock (five a.m. Dutch time), we turn off the lights and go to sleep.