Monday, January 9, 2012

Hello from Bolivia

After a 2 hour car journey we arrived at the border with Bolivia. We stepped across a chain & then headed to a couple of different rooms to get our passport stamped. A short walk in 'no man's land'with our new guide & another passport stamp & we had officially arrived in Bolivia!
An hour later, having our own van, we arrived at Copocabana - no not the famous one! We boarded a boat - just the 3 of us & our guide & headed across to Isla del Sol ( Island of the Sun). After a traditional lunch we were back on the boat to the Isla de Lunar (Island of the Moon) where we clambered up a few stoney steps to an old temple.

Back on the boat & back to Isla de Sol where we were staying for a couple of nights. We started to climb the 205 (we found out later!) stairs and were soon huffing & puffing - the high altitude certainly still gets to you. We proceeded to walk for about another hour to reach our hotel & it was certainly worth it - spectacular views over Lake Titicaca.
Next morning we were woken by the rain!! We headed back down the track which now resembled a quagmire where the donkeys had walked but we were game & got back to the boat. We moved to the north end of the island & the sun was shining brightly when we arrived but once again we had an up hill walk & more staring at scenery to catch our breath! Lunch was down by a beach & I decided that I needed to drink a coke to help me feel better & boy did it work when I had to attempt those 205 stairs & the rest of the walk.

An early start today because we were heading to La Paz only it was pouring with rain! Our colourful ponchos were only so helpful & the water was really heavy. We were soon walking through mini rivers & yes our shoes & socks were soaked but we made it to the boat well ahead of the donkeys carrying our bags.I don't know what happened to my bag because it arrived with donkey poo on it ! Safely on the boat we reached Copacabana & met a new driver who drove us to La Paz - 3 hours. In places the traffic was terrible & we actually boarded a ferry - a few planks of wood - to cross Lake Titicaca

. La Paz is overwhelming - so many houses stuck on the side of hills. 
More travelling around to morrow

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