Lima is a big city, and if spending hours in traffic trying to get to museums isn't your thing, getting out of the city could be one way to spend a day.
We did just this when we booked a half day tour of Palomino Island, a short boat ride from the port suburb of Callao. The drive itself was insightful as we passed so many old and dilapidated colonial buildings as we passed through the old port town of Lima.
Shortly after we were en route to the islands; a sort of mini Galapagos in Peru. Take a closer look at the beautiful animals we saw and see our top tips for a pleasant trip below.
Blue footed booby
Humboldt Penguins
Inca Tern
Pelicans
Sea lions
Top tips for your Palomino Island tour
We booked our tour through Viator, and would recommend it to anyone looking for an up-close experience with Sea lions. Here's some other tips from us:
Be prepared: The area where the Sea lions nest is exactly that - their home - and there's a stink you won't be able to forget for a while. This also means the water isn't as crystal clear as you might like. Try not to get any in your mouth when you jump in.
Take a snack and water: We were lucky enough to get some juice and crisps (chips) for the return journey, but just in case this isn't on offer, we'd recommend bringing a small snack to help you deal the bad taste that might be left in your mouth after your swim.
Enjoy it: There's not many opportunities to have real life encounters with animals in their natural habitat, so make the most of it, and enjoy that these animals are happy and curious about you and not stuck in a zoo doing tricks for food.
Forget the HIIT class that has you sweating it out with 50 other misty eyed gym goers on a Saturday morning; this course is a real challenge this weekend!
The New Forest Water Park might just take you by surprise. After all it's not like you expect to see a Total Wipeout level of inflatable playground just 10 mins from Ringwood. The New Forest is better known for its picturesque villages, stunning scenery and more than a few horses, but now it's making its mark on the adventure circuit too.
After arriving, signing disclaimers and picking up a wetsuit (it is only May after all) we were penned into a briefing room then made our way to the pontoon, with the likes of the 'iceberg', 'human catapult’ and something called 'the doughnut' ahead of us, and a few obstacles in between.
Quickly forgetting how cold the water is, you're challenged to jump and swing around the course and heave-ho yourself and others back onto dry (wet) land (inflatable) for another go after you inevitability and very ungracefully fall in.
Naturally it's bloody hilarious, and watching your friends battle through the course in a friction and gravity skewed world will have you working your abs as much and your arms. Prepare to ache!
Check out our video below!
Also available at the New Forest Water Park are, cable powered wake boarding, a small bar, picnic tables and a much earned hot-dog hut.
