On tuesday we left Cusco and headed to Copacabana in Bolivia. Spent the usual 10 hours on a bus and the border crossing was easy altho for some reason we only got a 30 day visa. Think there`s some tightening up of visas in Bolivia at the moment. Should be sufficient for us I think.
Stayed in Copacabana on tues night in the ambassador hotel which boasted hot water which was one of the selling points (altho at that stage any bed was beginning to look good). Was relishing the thought of a nice hot shower to wash the accumulated day of bus grime but when we turned on the shower, hot it turns out is relative. The tap water in this town is freezing .. about 6C SO the electric shower managed to heat this upto a massive maybe 14C ie bloody freezing. Had a very quick dip and hair washing as that would have taken me at least 20 mins to get wet hair not to mind rinsing.
Next day got the ferry out to Isla del Sol which is an island on Lake Titicaca. Ferry is also relative. Its a boat carrying way to many people with a small outboard that moves at approx slow walking speed. Took 2 hours to get to the north of the island and from there we walked back to the south. Stayed in Yumani which is a nice little village on a ridge with great views. Very pleasant place to chill out and heaps of places to choose to eat from and stay. Was some spectacular lightening, hail and rain storms that night and we had only just missed snow a few days before.
Returned the next morning on the Inti Kala boat (name of place we also stayed which was friendly and great views, good food too) which was `muy rapido` well at least 20 minutes faster! Got the bus to La Paz and staying here in Hotel Fuentes which is lovely and cosy since its cold and raining. Off to get some lunch of saltenas now.
From here the plan is vague. We are going to Buenos Aires to my aunt Helen for xmas so we have 3 weeks to get there. The rough plan is Chochamba (maybe for one day), Santa Cruz (hopfully get to Amboros NP and if we win the lotto a trip to Noel Kempff NP would be awesome but thats a dream-on scenario), Roboro (on the way to Brazil might do some hiking there weather permitting), border with Brazil, Panatal (4 day tour) either side of border depending on whats available, and the Iguazu Falls and then BA. If anyone has any tips for anywhere along that route fire them this way!
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