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Published: September 3rd 2010
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After leaving La Paz we headed for Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The bus ride from La Paz to Copacabana in a great ride. After reading online that the road wasn't known for safety I have come to the assumption that this was outdated. For once in Bolivia the whole journey was on a paved road. We arrived in Copacabana late in to the afternoon. We headed for a hostel that Clinton's guidebook had recommended. Not sure of the name but it is a HI Hostel. Basically we got a three bed room on the top floor right on the 'beach' for about £4 a night. The reason to stay here isn't for the room or the showers which again were cold. But for the amazing sunset views from the balcony. An absolutely stunning place to sit with a beer and watch the sun go down over Lake Titicaca. Probably one of the most memorable moments of the trip. There's just something to sitting there watching a sunset over this lake. I'm terrible at putting emotions into words so you'll just have to take my word that it is something that everyone should see. I absolutely loved this place.
That night we went out for pizza yet again and some beers before heading to bed relatively early due to the fact that the next day we would be getting up early again to go to the Island of the Sun.
We woke early and grabbed our dirt cheap return tickets to the island and quickly slotted in some breakfast. Then we boarded the old and slow boat towards the island. For me the only thing I can remember about this journey was that the lake itself is stunning but the boat had seats that made my ass completely numb. Upon reaching the island we began the walk from the top of the island back to the pickup point. This takes pretty much the whole day and involves you walking over the whole island and past several Incan ruins. The Incan ruins have a rather intresting story behind them. The Inca's believed that Lake Titicaca was the origin of the Sun and the Moon. The island we were on for those who couldn't guess is where the the sun was said to have been made. The ruins on the Island are no Machu Picchu but it was good to
get our first look at Incan ruins. The days walk was rather more difficult than you would expect due to the altitude. While most people say that it is the highest navigatable lake in the world this isn't exactly true. But it is bloody high. It's quite odd to go there and see this absolutely massive lake and then to think you are 3500m above sea level. It's all kind of odd. Which I guess makes the place even more special. The other big thing that stood out to me was the landscape. Discount the massive lake and you would swear you just got transported back to Australia. Eucalypts abound and the soil is very dry and rocky. Reminded me very much of being back home. That afternoon we had an awesome Lake Titicaca trout lunch overlooking the lake with possibly the nicest or most crazy owner ever. He was mad running back and forward to make sure we got stuff. Felt guilty about paying so little to see this man literally run around serving us. The journey home was slightly more comfortable because this time we were able to sit on the front of the roof for the scenic
Midgets
Seriously I thought he was short. journey back to Copacabana.
That night we again headed out for dinner. Eating out in Bolivia is so cheap you may as well do it. While out we met and Aregetinian busker who we invited to stay for a beers and a chat. Me still not speaking much Spanish sat there slightlty stupid looking while the other two enjoyed chatting to him about South America and other topics in general. Forster was invited to play his guitar but actually declined. Would have been good to see him try his hand at busking. After enough beers and having to get back on a bus again the next day we all headed to bed.
The next morning we would make our way to Puno on the Peruvian side of the lake. This would involve boarding a bus and getting our exit and entrance stamps. To be fair the bus company we went with were great for this. Stop off grouped us together making sure we all got through easily enough and with no hassles. The border itself is quite busy and known for pickpockets. So they were good at making sure nothing happened. After the formalities we had finally made
Not the ocean.
3500m above sea level. it to Peru. Here we settled in for the three odd hours it would take to get to Puno. Once in Puno we headed to check out if Peruvian internet was any better. Finally we had made it back to a country where internet actually worked. After that we went for an overpriced lunch and waited for our tour to begin. That afternoon we were booked in for a tour of the floating islands. Basically there is a set of islands off the shore of Puno that are made of reed that a local group of people live on. It's a very interesting place to visit. While it was slightly touristy it was good to go out there and see people living such a different life. The work just to make sure that the Island stays afloat is enough to convince me that I would just prefer to live on land. That night we got on an overnight bus to Cusco. Finally we were heading towards the home of the Incas.
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