Blogs from Copacabana, La Paz Department, Bolivia, South America - page 3

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South America » Bolivia » La Paz Department » Copacabana August 17th 2014

Our Arrival Our bus from Puno Peru arrived in Copacabana at 12pm (with the hour time difference). We were dropped on Av 16 de Julio a couple of blocks up from Plaza Sucre. Where We Stayed Hostal Center - Bs. 60 for a double room with shared bathroom. It was just off Plaza Sucre and was a large room however we stayed there as it advertised wifi but it didn't work. He really struggled with change for Bs. 100. What We Did We walked up Cerro Calvario for a lake/town viewpoint and stations of the cross. You will feel the altitude. Visited Basilica of Our Lady Copacabana to see the religious pilgrimage site. There were loads of people there on Sunday getting their cars blessed and setting off firecrackers and pouring champagne. We did laundry as ... read more
Blessing the cars
Sunset over Lake Titicaca
Basilica Of Our Lady Copacabana

South America » Bolivia » La Paz Department » Copacabana August 7th 2014

Last night I had a terrible nights sleep. I'm such a light sleeper so was easily awoken. I also had a terrible dream where I was back at work and about to do a night shift but I was the only one on because they didn't have enough staff to cover us. I also had to look after ward 7a at the same time, it was a true nightmare!!!! Thankfully I woke up and realised it was just a bad dream. After breakfast we got on the bus, 'Gus' and headed through the busy streets of La Paz. Unfortunately we have to drink at least 4L of water a day, which means lots of toilet stops. And there isn't always toilet! So I guess all those squats at crossfit have helped, as squatting behind an abandoned ... read more
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I kept thinking it was the sea; it's so vast. Set at an altitude of 3,810m, and measuring some 190km by 80km, Lake Titicaca is by far the biggest high-altitude body of water in the world. Chugging out on the motorised ferry from Copacabana, it felt as though we were starting an epic voyage, and in some ways we were, for we were travelling to the sacred centre of the ancient Andean world. For the Inca, this was the birthplace of their dynasty and the place of the creation of the sun and the moon. The Isla de la Luna is small. We climbed stone steps to Inak Uyu, a temple formerly dedicated to the moon and staffed entirely by women; and at the edge of ancient Inca agricultural terraces, we found a little bit of ... read more
Wash Day
Going Home


La Virgen Morena del Lago (the Dark Virgin of the Lake) lives in Copacabana, and she's responsible for the bizarre ritual of the Ch'alla. Immediately after the conquest Spanish treasure-seekers looted Inca temples around the lake, and priests destroyed any remaining shrines and idols, including a large female idol with a fish's tail at Copacabana. When subsequently a series of devastating frosts ruined crops, locals became convinced of the need for a new goddess and the town was rededicated in honour of the Virgen de la Candelaria; one of the most popular representations of the Virgin Mary during the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Francisco Tito Yupanqui, a local man of Inca heritage, noted that there was no image for the altar and set about producing one. His early efforts were rejected by Spanish priests, so ... read more
So much to choose from...
Candles, coins and virgins...
Rosettes, ribbons and champagne....


ein gemütlicher tag in copacabana beginnt mit der besteigung des nicht zu unterschätzenden hausberges. fantastische weitsicht über beide buchten und blau bis zum horizont entlohnen für den steilen aufstieg. über einen resoluten steinweg führt (natürlich) auch ein kreuzweg und auf halber strecke thront eine gigantische jesus-statue mit der aufschrift, hier für weltliche güter, wie !wörtlich! autos, häuser und geld beten zu können. verrücktes südamerika! unter uns tummeln sich also die wenigen fischerboote zwischen zahlreichen ausflugsschiffen, kleine romantische steinhäuser mit strohgedeckten dächern schmiegen sich an die trockene küste. kleine steinmauern trennen felder und gärten, knorrige bäume erinnern weiterhin an griechenland. man könnte stunden hier oben verbringen, nur der frische wind treibt uns irgendwann wieder in die aufgeheizte stadt hinunter. der restliche tag wird haupt... read more
copacabana sunset


weiter geht es, nördlich, zum titicacasee. allerdings nicht, wie ursprünglich geplant, nach puno, sondern aufgrund zahlreicher backpacker-empfehlungen, nach copacabana. unser bus verlässt la paz mit nur einer lächerlichen stunde verspätung und wir bekommen wieder einmal mehr als erwartet für unser geld geboten. auf dem weg zeigen sich uns die suburbs von la paz mit gewaltigen anti-kriminalitäts-plakaten und immer einfacher werdenden häusern. hockende frauen am straßenrand pinkeln inmitten ihrer dicken rock-lagen. babies werden mitten auf der straße, auf dem beton, gewickelt. später mehren sich kuhherden auf den üppigen grasflächen, bevor der erste blick auf den titicacasee fällt. wie ein glitzernd blitzblaues band zeigt er sich, zwischen knallig gelbem gras und schneebedeckten bergketten. spiegelglatt und unter strahlend wolkenfreiem himmel liegt er unter uns, während der bus die steilen... read more
cielo de bolivia
our balcony
volkstanz unbekannten ursprungs


*Spoiler alert* No there wasn’t. If you know me, you understand that I can’t get past the Barry Manilow song when I hear Copacabana. Two years ago when I was in Rio de Janeiro, this was my blog It became the favorite blog title so far. When I planned this trip and found that I was going to be staying in Copacabana again, were keen to find out what my blog title would be. It was a hard call. All I can say is I continue to walk around singing the darn song, but hey, when at the Copa….. Our tour bus left La Paz at 7:00. Happily I found out that it was my guide Sylvia from the previous tour. Traffic was a bit heavy as we headed up and through El Alto City. Today ... read more
Dancers for Carnival
Boats on Lake Titicaca
Overlooking Lake Titicaca

South America » Bolivia » La Paz Department » Copacabana January 25th 2014

After one more full day in Cusco to recover from the epic Inca Trail, we left early for a long drive to Puno on Lake Titikaka. The highlight was a pedal rickshaw ride to the harbour, which turned into a competitive race between pairs if passengers...fortunately my driver earned his tip as we got there first. Nothing like a good laugh to wake us up, first thing in the morning! We visited the Uros Islands - floating islands made of reeds and were given the opportunity to look round the small houses and watch a demonstration showing us how the islands are made. It was a little too touristy but there is a danger that these communities will cease to exist soon, so if tourism helps, then it is not necessarily a bad thing. We all ... read more
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South America » Bolivia » La Paz Department » Copacabana December 28th 2013

December 28 Today was big decision day, to stay put here or go to La Paz. Since we were feeling lazy we decided to stay and spend the morning watching TV. In the afternoon then we set off to isla de Sol to checkout what all the hype is about. We had a really nice pizza at Pueblo Viejo, which took a long time to arrive, but was one of the good pizza we had in long time. After paying 30 bol each for ferry ticket, we were off to the island. The ferry ride is long as the boat goes really slow, you could probably swim faster. There are no real views on the way, just the main landmass and lot of water. It's hard to believe this is a lake. At the island we ... read more
sun temple
isla de sol
sun temple

South America » Bolivia » La Paz Department » Copacabana August 3rd 2013

Drei Wochen sind schon um... Es kommt mir vor wie eine einzige. Nachdem der Trek nach Choquecirao, den ich machen wollte, nicht so geklappt hat, wie ich das wollte, bin ich von Cusco weiter nach Puno gefahren. Am Weg habe ich noch eine Inkahaengebruecke besucht. In Puno war klar... ein Ausflug zu den Schilfinseln am Titicacasee ist Pflicht. Danach konnte ich mich nicht zurueckhalten und hab am Markt ein paar Sachen eingekauft. Es gibt so schoene Sachen hier... ich koennt die ganze Zeit einkaufen. :-) Da ich das nicht mitschleppen wollte, habe ich ein Paket aufgegeben. (hab ich vergessen am Telefon zu sagen!!! - habs ins Waldviertel adressiert). Bin sehr gespannt, ob es ankommt. Die Stadt Puno an sich hat mir gar nicht gefallen. Darum bin ich mit den naechsten Bus ueber die bolivianische Grenze nach ... read more




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