Makin' A Run For The Border


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November 15th 2007
Published: November 17th 2007
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Sunset in CopacabanaSunset in CopacabanaSunset in Copacabana

Lake Titicaca is in the background.
Melanie and I have just reached our three month mark living in Peru and you know what that means? Yep...thats right....we have to make a run for the border......Bolivia. When you enter Peru, citizens of the U.S. receive a 3 month tourist visa and in order to reniew it, you have two options. Option one involves going to the city cetner of Lima and paying money but that only guarantees 30 extra days. Option two is quite a bit more fun because you get to travel. All you have to do is cross a border for at least 24 hours and return for an additional three months on your visa.

Melanie and I decided to take a quick trip down to Bolivia via Lake Titicaca. We flew south to Juliaca, which is located very close to the north part of Lake Titicaca and then took a bus/taxi combo to cross the border into Bolivia. It took a few days to get used to the altitude in Copacabana (~12,000 feet) but it worked out fine.....Gracias Diamox.

From the quiet and relaxing town of Copacabana, we hiked and then stayed a night on beautiful Isla Del Sol. By the way, I
New Friends from ItalyNew Friends from ItalyNew Friends from Italy

We met Luca and Luca in Bolivia and hung out with them a little bit in Copacabana. Notice the appropriate flags behind us.
was amazed by the sunsets down in Bolivia. From Isla Del Sol, we continued on a 6 hour bus ride to La Paz which is still just a shy under 12,000 ft. Melanie said she could feel her body making more red blood cells. :-)

La Paz is a gorgeous city that is set down in a bowl and surrounded by 20,000+ foot peaks. There are lots of opportunities to do all sorts of outdoor activities. One of the activities we decided to participate in was the World's Most Dangerous Road bike ride (Before this little trip, Melanie did some investigating to make sure it was safe). Don't worry, Moms.

The bike ride starts at about 14,000 feet and ends 5 hours later in the rainforest at 3,000 feet and it ends up being about 90% downhill. Going downhill on a bike has always been a childhood dream of mine! With the bike ride package, you receive a double suspension mountain bike with disc breaks (which we used the whole time). Our rear ends definitely thanked the rear suspension of the bike because the road was very bumpy. (Note to Mom: We road in a group of 10 at all times with an experienced guide in front and another one in the back.) Below is a website of the company we went with. Check it out.

http://www.gravitybolivia.com/

Thank you for all the messages we have been receiving down here! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Melanie and Bill


Additional photos below
Photos: 27, Displayed: 23


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Isla Del Sol HikeIsla Del Sol Hike
Isla Del Sol Hike

Isla Del Sol is one of the islands in Lake Titicaca.
Still Hiking on Isla Del SolStill Hiking on Isla Del Sol
Still Hiking on Isla Del Sol

It was about a 2 1/2 hour to 3 hour hike from one end of the island to the other.
Isla Del SolIsla Del Sol
Isla Del Sol

We would meet several people and animals who lived on the island.
Buddies!!!Buddies!!!
Buddies!!!

Luna and Tika wanted to pose for a photo on Isla Del Sol.
World's Most Dangerous RoadWorld's Most Dangerous Road
World's Most Dangerous Road

It was getting a little warm as we traveled down to the rainforest.
WMDRWMDR
WMDR

Melanie is not afraid!
Returning Back to La PazReturning Back to La Paz
Returning Back to La Paz

We thought the scariest part of this trip was going back up the same road on a bus.
Traveling Back to PeruTraveling Back to Peru
Traveling Back to Peru

There were a few areas where we had to get out of the bus so it could be shuttled across narrow parts of Lake Titicaca.


18th November 2007

Barry Manilow
We enjoyed your recent entry. As soon as I read about your adventures in Copacabana I couldn't get the Barry Manilow sound out of my head. That's a little disturbing... All is good in Oregon, Ducks are fading and Beavs are back on the rise. Go Beavs! Randy and Michele
19th November 2007

Who's that?
Nice photos and commentary, as ususal. Just one question: Where's Bill and who is the shaggy dude hanging out with Mel?
19th November 2007

"running for the border"
What great photos you snt.I could tell you were having a great time...I'm so glad that you both are having such wonderful adventures.I look forward to your blogs. Thanks.Martha
21st November 2007

from Sapporo, Japan
unbelievable! you took a quick trip down to Bolivia via Lake Titicaca! i'm proud of your surviving it successfully. i look forward to reading your coming reports. take care of yourselves.

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