And on to Bolivia...
It has been a little while since we last updated, but we have been busy, taking in so much, getting horribly sunburned (oops - must remember I am at altitude...) and just existing for a little while.
We are now in Bolivia, having taken the bus from Cusco through to the delightful little town of Copacobana (about 5 hours by bus from Cusco). We had to cross over the Bolivian boarder (yay, two countries down, two to go!!!), and then into Copacobana. The town is on the edge of Lake Titicaca, apparently the highest navicable lake in the world (so we hear anyway). It is a huge lake, and it would take some weeks to go around the entire thing (maybe a future canoe trip??? Anyone interested...). It reminded me of Darwin Harbour in lots of ways as the water was very calm, very much like our own beloved harbour on a good day.
We stayed the first night in a swanky (?) hotel that cost us about $12 a night (AUS), with huge bay windows overlooking the lake. We were hoping for a lovely sunset, but unfortunately the weather was a little inhibiting. We dined at a cute little resturant up the street with an open fire, weird arse lights, and a 5 year old waitress (she seemed to be doing more organising than the maitre´d was). Craig thinks there should be more of it in Australaia - why should we restrict children if they want to work... ho hum. Got to love travelling with an economist!!!
Sunday (I think, I am getting my days confused...) we took the boat over to Isla del Sol. Basically this place is heaven on a stick, and the best place in the world if you want to a bit of hiking, stay in basic accomodation (although with $M views), and dine on some of the world´s best trout. I could have stayed a week, but of course, as with all travel, there are always more things to come.
Our intention was to hike to some ruins in the south end of the island, then hike over the hills to the north end where we could catch the boat back the next morning to Copacobana. However about half way to the ruins, it started hailing (yep, hail, not rain) and we got absolutely drenched and very cold. We stopped into a little place and have a cup of tea and warm up, then thought 'ah, what the heck´and decided to stay the night. The place, although basic, was just gorgeous, lovely people making (although basic) food, and there were tonnes of travellers around us. Craig said the island has grown substantially since he was there last - amazing what a tourist market will do to a place. We were on the side of a hill, about 4000m above sea level, donkeys and lamas surrounding us, ah... farmyard bliss - he he he.
Yesterday we caught the boat back, and we were in time to catch the bus to La Paz. The drive in was so different to what we have done in the past few weeks. Going from huge Andean mountain ranges to flat desolate farm areas is such a contrast. Amazing that it can change so quickly. Also, my impression of Bolivia thus far is that it is much cleaner than Peru - will have to see if this changes. The road into La Paz is something else. The city is in a huge bowl type canyon, so you have to wind your way down the side of the canyon to get into the centre. Pretty amazing views. And incredible to see where houses and shops have been built. I swear some of them are at 90 degrees to the flat - amazing!!!
We are starting to make plans for the next part of our trip. But there are things to go and see and do in La Paz, so will sign off here until next time...
Sorry there are no photos yet folks, seems USB ports here are hard to come by... will try to update all the posts when we get to Argentina (maybe in a couple of weeks...). I think their computers may be a little more USB friendly.
We are now in Bolivia, having taken the bus from Cusco through to the delightful little town of Copacobana (about 5 hours by bus from Cusco). We had to cross over the Bolivian boarder (yay, two countries down, two to go!!!), and then into Copacobana. The town is on the edge of Lake Titicaca, apparently the highest navicable lake in the world (so we hear anyway). It is a huge lake, and it would take some weeks to go around the entire thing (maybe a future canoe trip??? Anyone interested...). It reminded me of Darwin Harbour in lots of ways as the water was very calm, very much like our own beloved harbour on a good day.
We stayed the first night in a swanky (?) hotel that cost us about $12 a night (AUS), with huge bay windows overlooking the lake. We were hoping for a lovely sunset, but unfortunately the weather was a little inhibiting. We dined at a cute little resturant up the street with an open fire, weird arse lights, and a 5 year old waitress (she seemed to be doing more organising than the maitre´d was). Craig thinks there should be more of it in Australaia - why should we restrict children if they want to work... ho hum. Got to love travelling with an economist!!!
Sunday (I think, I am getting my days confused...) we took the boat over to Isla del Sol. Basically this place is heaven on a stick, and the best place in the world if you want to a bit of hiking, stay in basic accomodation (although with $M views), and dine on some of the world´s best trout. I could have stayed a week, but of course, as with all travel, there are always more things to come.
Our intention was to hike to some ruins in the south end of the island, then hike over the hills to the north end where we could catch the boat back the next morning to Copacobana. However about half way to the ruins, it started hailing (yep, hail, not rain) and we got absolutely drenched and very cold. We stopped into a little place and have a cup of tea and warm up, then thought 'ah, what the heck´and decided to stay the night. The place, although basic, was just gorgeous, lovely people making (although basic) food, and there were tonnes of travellers around us. Craig said the island has grown substantially since he was there last - amazing what a tourist market will do to a place. We were on the side of a hill, about 4000m above sea level, donkeys and lamas surrounding us, ah... farmyard bliss - he he he.
Yesterday we caught the boat back, and we were in time to catch the bus to La Paz. The drive in was so different to what we have done in the past few weeks. Going from huge Andean mountain ranges to flat desolate farm areas is such a contrast. Amazing that it can change so quickly. Also, my impression of Bolivia thus far is that it is much cleaner than Peru - will have to see if this changes. The road into La Paz is something else. The city is in a huge bowl type canyon, so you have to wind your way down the side of the canyon to get into the centre. Pretty amazing views. And incredible to see where houses and shops have been built. I swear some of them are at 90 degrees to the flat - amazing!!!
We are starting to make plans for the next part of our trip. But there are things to go and see and do in La Paz, so will sign off here until next time...
Sorry there are no photos yet folks, seems USB ports here are hard to come by... will try to update all the posts when we get to Argentina (maybe in a couple of weeks...). I think their computers may be a little more USB friendly.
posted by Flossie | 2:36 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home