However, back last year we went on a journey to Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable freshwater lake that also marks the border between Peru and Bolivia.
As is often the case when you are in some Andean backwater between Cusco and Puno, I ran into a former colleague from the City of Sydney travelling through South America on hols. To our delight, Victor and his girlfriend Keturah were on the same lake tour and we really enjoyed their company over the next few days.
To an Australian, Lake Titicaca may as well be the ocean with water stretching to the horizon in many places and only the snow capped mountain ranges of Bolivia reminding you that you are 3800m above sea level. Walking up a hill achieves the same effect.
After a somewhat touristy visit to a floating reed village we spent the night on the island of Amantani. We stayed with a family in this fantastic community and stunning location. An evening of dancing and beer at altitude really sorts you out.
The next day we left early and visited Taquile island ... where single and married men wear special Catelan hats. It was such awesome weather that after lunch I went swimming with some "loco" Canadians. Yes, it was cold.
Back in Puno a dispute with our hotel ended up costing us dearly. When we refused one of the reception staff a bribe to use the shower before our overnight bus ride back to Cusco we ended up homeless for several hours. This didn't seem too much of a problem as some friendly aussies let Tiff use their shower and we had a fabulous dinner with Victor and Keturah. Our problems started when we decided to get ourselves to the bus station rather than get a transfer from the hotel. Before we knew it our luxury first class bus had transformed into a local bus, complete with sacks full of potatoes, chickens and a smell that can't really be described. It was a difficult night, but we survived and we are stronger, especially our auto immune systems.
1 comment:
At least your local bus from Titicacca didn't have durians in it! Great to have you back blogging again and to read of your adventures. What date do you leave Lima for New Orleans?
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