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Bolivia 3 / Peru 1 - Lake Titicaca & Colca Canyon |
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Casapagina |
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After leaving my money belt under my mattress in the Jungle (clearly a bastion of security that no criminal mind could penetrate) Darryl and I decided not to linger and hope for it's return but rather to continue our journey to Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world at 3,700m and check out Isla Del Sol and the mytholigical birthplace of the Inkas. It was much better than sitting, festering in La Paz, instead we hiked 17 kms from the town of Copacabana (not easily confused with the Brazilian beach of the same name), Yampupata where we took a boat accross the channel to Isla Del Sol. We then hiked the island which, while only about 4 hours total was makedly more difficult due to the altitude.
After returning to the mainland Darryl and I parted ways, I returned to La Paz to track down my money belt while he headed to Lake Titicaca in Peru to see the Reed Islands near Puno. In La Paz I was lucky enough to track down my money belt at the Canadian Embassy and after a night of celebration with the New Zealand third of the Jungle Crew I continued on to Peru to catch up with Darryl. Once there I was able to take in the Reed islands then partake in a �tour�of the Colca Canyon (reinforcing my loathing for organized tours), all a day behind Darryl. |
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When we arrived in Copacabana we were treated to a surprise Parade...Everybody loves a Parade. |
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Hiking to the Inkan ruins on Isla Del Sol. |
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A traditional double headed reed boat on Lake Titicaca |
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A traditional mangy Donkey on Isla Del Sol. |
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As I was riding a cramped smelly bus back to La Paz, Darry climbed the Cerro de Copacabana and got to catch this spectacular Sunset over the Lake (it was�t quite as spectacular from the bus window). |
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The Reed Islands near Puno were built by the native andean peoples to avoid the warring Chalka and Inka tribes, there are about 20 villages built on reed bases that are between 5 and 15 feet thick. It�s now mostly a tourist trap with locals sellling crafts and giving rides on reed boats but the ingenuity of the structures is still incredible. |
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A lonely self-take at one of the village lookouts. |
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Looking the other way from the Mirador. |
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One of the activities is sampling the local cuisine which consists of peeled reed stems...when our group finished this little nino went straight foir the leftovers and scarfed every last reed down. |
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This was our ride and driver. |
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I then headed to Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, while the tour itself entailed sitting on a bumpy bus for 6 hours a day the views of the Canyon, the deepest in the world at 3,700m was well worth it. |
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The villages along the way were our only respite from the cramped bus. |
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Another lonely self-take, I did run into Darryl at this Mirador - El Cruce Del Condor, we exchanges stories - his exhilirating 3 day hike through the canyon, my excrutiating 6 hour bus ride to the canyon. |
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We did finally see a condor...I promise ther is one in the centre of this picture. |
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The national flower of Peru...whose name escapes me while I sit in Costa Rica and write this. |
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Let�s See Peru 2! |
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Back to the Casapagina |
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