After arriving the previous afternoon, I now had one full day in Ilo before the work project started.
The main attraction of the town is a malecón (boardwalk). But before that, I wanted to go to a local fish market that I was told about. It only stayed open so long as fresh fish was available. I reached, and it was absolutely packed.
Fish market
I ordered fried fish with yucca and rice, it was tender and delicious.
Now, it was time to burn the calories and walk.I then reached the water. Notice the fishing boats, which bring in fish daily.
I saw some Peruvian pelicans along the shore. These look different than any other pelicans I’d seen.
There was a train car of the company Southern Copper, a huge employer in the area. Copper is mined, smelted, and refined in the area.
There was also an ampitheatre, probably for musical performances.
Ampitheatre
Finally, I reached the end of the meandering coastline, and got the vista I was looking for. What a unique image, water with desert mountains in the background.
Now it was the long walk back into town. Finally, after two hours I reached the central square. These are standard in Latin America.
Since the calories had been burned, it was time to eat yet again. I went to the same restaurant as the previous day, but this time ordered a different dish: seco de cordero (lamb stew). It was delectable.
Seco de cordero
Finally, it was time to work for the next two weeks. The reward would be an unforgettable stopover on the way home: Arequipa.