Rewind the last update a bit, as we ended up in La Paz for one more day having finally managed to get on a bike ride a bit more technical than the Worlds Most Dangerous Road.
Absolutely amazing, and hoping I can get some of you working folk to join some downhill action in the alps on my return. The most entertaining parts were some impossible switchbacks, which caused my handlebars to massage my ribs
. Oh and the obligatory 7 punctures in the front wheel thanks to a friendly cactus. 
Having escaped La Paz and arriving in Copacabana, with our bus on another boat, we made our way to a local viewpoint to enjoy the sunset over lake Titicaca. Titicaca apparently meaning Grey Puma (in Quechua, I think), and if you turn the map upside down the lake vaguely looks like a puma chasing a rabbit. Oh and the Peruvians say the Bolivians can keep the caca bit. Priest blessing car 
?
Day 1 involved walking 17km to the mainland departure point, passing by rural life and many trout fisheries, and rowing across the bay.
. 
. A better dinner was enjoyed down in another bay watching the setting sun.
Day 3 was spent walking along Mediterranean looking bays, and included a very brave 9 degrees C swim/wash (see pic above, I´m sure you´ll agree one was required). Not being ones to return over trodden ground we opted for the 2 hour ferry back to Copa, and a couple of beers back on the beach. And enjoyed 2 main courses, to myself, of fresh lake Titicaca Trout;)
The journey to Puno, and fresh Peruvian soil, involved a dodgy bus that broke down on every hil
l (how was the return leg Paul?) and an immigration stealth tax (apparently the border crossing officials should have given us a piece of paper with a stamp on it) buts what´s $2 between friends.
Having seen the tricycle taxis we opted for this as the most entertaining route to our hostel, but didn´t realise that the old man would end up having to get off and push for the last 5mins due to the heavy load.Our first tour, in Peru, was to the Uros who live on floating reed Islands, on lake Titicaca, quite bizarre.
Our new home (finally) and clothes...
Then on to a bigger real Island Amananti, where we stayed with a very friendly family in their mud brick house and ate potatoes with potatoes and potatoe thingys 
(and Hulumi cheese). For sunset we ventured up Pachamama which had wonderful views of Pachatata. Our home stay family taught us some Quechua before taking us out to the local dance hall for a Amantani style knees up, started as country dancing and ended as the hokey kokey.
The following day was spent on another island, where everyone is dressed in their crazy get-ups and men literally are boss...and they love an arch or two.
The following day we ventured out to Inca funerary towers, and bumped into Daniel, who I climbed up Hyuana Potosi with. In the evening we meet up with PK from Scott Wilson and got sloshed at the obligatory slosh-fest (good to see you buddy). Hannah spent the following day in bed recovering.
Arriving in Cuzco we are now bewildered by the sheer number of things to do. Next week we´ll be in the Sacred Valley making our way to Machupicchu for the Winter solstice and back for the winter solstice festival in Cuzco on the 24th.
Can you lot still write, or are your brains numbed by pretending to work?
Tx
2 comments:
Have you heard of a razor? Fantastic read, have been keeping up to date on both your blogs - I enjoy them very much. I'm so glad you enjoyed the Bolivian side of the Lake, I think it's a tranquil paradise. Cuzco is amazing - in your next blog I expect you will also cover your adventures to Macchu Picchu. Remember to go early as they only allow a certain number of people to climb Huyana Picchu each day. The view is worth it, but carry plenty of aqua up there or you'll get the squits. This is my last weekend in Jo'burg, fly out Monday, land in London on Tuesday. Then off to Malta for Aussie Mike's wedding on Wednesday - it never stops! ;-)
Sat in Cusco reading about you 2 in cusco is very cool. I too have seen the fanny on sale in tins. Not sure about the flavour either. I do not think that anyone is in a better position to understand your comment about people forgetting to write. I wrote about this in my blog if you remember. A combination of busy lives and the absurd notion that they think there lives are not worth sharing. I was mostly guilty as charge by not reading your blog much when it was live but regret it now and am making up for lost time.
Chan is 30 today so we are off for some tasty tucker. Manchu Pichu in 2 days!
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