Blogs from Puno, Peru, South America - page 11

Travel Surprises Spongy walks on floating islands, mythical Lake Titicaca, a wild ride to an archaeological site, the infamous Bolivian protest blockade, the kindness of strangers, and a meeting with a Travelblogger--Puno wasn't as boring as I thought it would be. I was in Bolivia and had planned to stay until my visa expired. However, a message from a Travelblog friend changed my plans, and I was to float to Peru. Brendan Vermillion, bvchef, had written that he would be holidaying in Peru, had an actual travel schedule and wondered if we might meet. Realizing we could meet in Puno on Lake Titicaca, a lake shared by the two countries, I cut short my Bolivian sojourn. After all, I've got time and could return to Bolivia later. A Nefarious Journey I was in La Paz, and ... read more

Geo: -15.84, -70.05We were handed over to our new guide at the Bolivian/Peruvian border - the sleepiest, unbusiest border crossing you ever saw. No-one really seemed to care if we came or went! Into a new minibus and off along the shores of Lake Titicaca to Puno with stops along the way to see a church (which was closed) and an Inca 'gateway' - a spiritual as opposed to physical gate - which was in any event about 400 yards away across fields and we weren't getting any closer!In Puno we reached our hotel (very central, very smart) with a degree of difficulty as half the roads seemed to be closed for a fiesta. But we settled in and went off for dinner at the restaurant our guide had recommended only to find it was on ... read more

Monday 14/1/13 – Realising we had a border crossing to attempt today; we rose early and hit the road. We headed south towards the well signed frontier. With no customs or immigration office on the Ecuadorian side, we rode about 4kms into Peru and stopped at their immigration building (which turned out to also be the Ecuador immigration building). We were told that we must have ridden past Ecuadorian customs and had to turn back. After a frustrating hour of enquires, finger pointing, middle finger pointing and swearing, we eventually found customs about 10kms back inside Ecuador, in an unmarked building on the wrong side of the road. We then rode into Peru to immigration to get ourselves stamped out of Ecuador (how can it take about 45 mins for them to tick the ‘left the ... read more

We knew we were in for an adventure when we got to the train station and walked into the waiting room. The chairs were comfortable c hairs, think of a Lazy Boy without the retractable foot rest. We sat down and waited for our train. Apparently word has gotten out amongst the Condor staff that the Steinbrechers require their own bus for their luggage as we rode over from the hotel in our own 10 person bus. We purchased a bag just for souvenirs and assorted things…so now we are up to four bags and counting. We had hoped to leave South America with only two but you know the TUPAS stores just have a way of calling out your name! We met our Australian friends and boarded the train and found out we were sitting ... read more

Ons het die dag begin met met 2 lekker crépe en boegoe tee. Van daar het ons die long walk to freedom gevat af na die hawe toe. Seker so 20 min afdraende gestap. Marcelina, ons gasvrou rokof soos 'n klipspringer oor die ruwe terrein. Ons het toe na Tequile eiland gevaar. Daar het ons weer vir 40min opgestap na die town square. Daar het ons rondegehang tot middag ete. Lekker gebraaide trout. Net voor dit het die gids ons die hele geskiedenis vertel van die eiland en hulle tradisies. Die getroude mans dra kleurvolle mussies en die enkellopendes so 2 tone mussies. Van daar is ons weer af na die hawe aan die anderkant van die eiland toe. Pargtige uitsig na die Peruvian kant van die meer. Toe vat ons weer die "Slow boat to ... read more