Bolivia to Peru Huu Huu

Copacabana started off on a bad foot after ripping us off for one of the worst pizzas ever (cost 30 Bolivianos). But it got better when we went to Sun Island and trekked across it for half a day. Very tiring but absolutely amazing scenery.

At the end of it we bumped into our first Hungarian traveller. He seems to have the perfect lifestyle whereby he´s built up his business in such a way that he only needs to be back in Hungary for about a month or so each year. The rest of the year, he´s travelling about and keeping in touch by just phone and internet.

Copacabana then redeemed itself by offering us a slap up feed of a dinner for just 10 Bolivianos (about $1.25). Excellent trout straight from the lake.

The next day we met up with our Magyar mate and climbed up the big hill in town to look down on everything. Again very tiring but rewarding.

Oh a quick note. It´s a holiday here and everyone´s flying kites over graveyards (and in the streets). Apparently the kites get closer to heaven so you´re closer to the dead people you´re remembering on All Saints Day.

After the climb and a drink at the beach we got on a bus and made our way to Puno in Peru. The bus actually stops in Bolivia, you have to get out, get your passport checked by both Bolivia and Peru authorities and then walk across the border to get back on the bus.

Poor bus didn´t really make it. Just as we were getting into town it started complaining and then broke down. After a lot of mucking around the driver managed to persuade it to hobble it´s way into Puno and then everyone had to get off and change. Except us of course as it was our last stop.

Checked into a hotel but it´s not too great as they only have hot water for a couple of hours in the evening and morning. Have to plan carefully.

We should be off to see floating man-made islands tomorrow (Thursday) then take a night bus to Cusco (or Cuzco) and organise a trip to Machu Pichu (though I don´t think it´s going to be the famous big trek).

More later (plus hopefully pictures).

Updated with photos (29-Nov-2005) - Click for pics


Colourful Copacabana with the huge hill that we climbed.



The sunsets were like nothing I'd ever seen before.






The view was free, just like the room it was viewed from.



Sun island was fantastic, but it was quite a trek.



Beautiful scenery






Crossing the border from Bolivia to Peru