Southern Peru-Bolivia Day 10

Day 10 - Tuesday, November 4, 2014 - Board Boat for Isla del Sol; Explore the Island; Guided Walking Tour of Copacabana; Tour the Basilica of the Virgin of Copacabana

It was cool on the lake this morning. The temperature was 50 degrees and the humidity was 47%. The sun is strong and the weather report promised no rain for the day.

We met Mario at 8:00 AM but a few of our group were not well so they did not come on this excursion to Isla del Sol. We walked down to the docks and boarded a small motorboat to cross Lake Titicaca to the island.

There are over 70 islands on the huge lake, but Isla del Sol is one of the major ones. It is thirty square miles and has 4,00 inhabitants, basically Aymara people.

As we motored on the lake, Mario told us about the island and the history of Bolivia in Pre-Colonial, Spanish, Colonial, and now the Republic periods. The new Moralles Era has changed the constitution to provide more care for the poor people, but the rich still get richer.

In 1966, Jacques Cousteau came to Copacabana to do research on Lake Titicaca. The lake has only a few natural fish, huge frogs, and trout introduced from Canada. The deepest part of the lake is over 1,000 feet deep.

Titicaca is 40 miles by 100 miles; the size has not changed for thousands of years. Before the uplifting of the Andes Mountains millions of years ago, it was much bigger extending to the Salt Flats of Uyuni.

Many rivers feed Lake Titicaca, but only one river drains from the lake. A system of dams keeps the level of the lake constant now. The Desaguadero River flows out of the lake and contributes to the salt flats.

After riding for about an hour, we docked at Pilko Kaina. Two of the ladies in our group opted to stay on the boat with Pepé but ten of us went on a two-hour hike with Mario, climbing up to the path leading through the terraced farming plots of potatoes and fava beans.

The climb was tough, but once we reached the highest point and leveled off, it was less taxing. The view from the ridge was fantastic; we could see the snow covered Cordillera Real (Royal Mountains).

The summit of our hike was 12,900 feet, but we took frequent breaks for breathing while Mario told us about the medicinal plants along the way. He also told us the legend of Isla del Sol, the Island of the Sun.

It is said that the gods, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo were sent from Lake Titicaca to look for the sacred place to rid the people of the "Dark Times". The gods chose Cusco as the birthplace of the Incan Culture.

The Incas had three rules or commandments; Don't be lazy, Don't lie, and Don't steal. Simple rules to live by, but easy to remember!

Our hike took us down to the village of Yumani and the spring that the Spanish considered the Fountain of Youth. When we arrived at the spring, Mario dipped a branch into the water and gave us all the Inca Blessing. We should all live to be old and happy!

At 11:30 we got back on our boat for a short ride to the ruins of the Incan Temple of the Sun. We had another spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains, the green terraces, and the bright blue Lake Titicaca.

A farmer, Francisco, gave us a demonstration of the yuko, a wooded tool used to turn the soil. Several members of our group took turns trying their luck - Vic can attest to the hard work the farmers like Francisco have to do.

We had a local lunch of potatoes, fava beans, and corn, fish, and chicken wings, all served on a small woven blanket. Traditionally this meal is eaten on the ground with the hands; we used a fork to enjoy our lunch.

Our return trip on the lake was much smoother; most people sat on the open upper deck. It was siesta time for a few.

Wilber, our Bolivian driver met us at the dock back in Copacabana and took us to the hotel. We had 20 minutes to check our mail, freshen up, and put on cooler clothes.

At 3:15 we met our guides and set off for a walking tour of the city. We began with the

Basilica of the Virgin of Copacabana, built in the 16th-century by the Spanish.

One of Bolivia's best known Catholic sanctuaries, it was built on the site of an earlier Incan temple to an indigenous fertility goddess.

We had a few minutes to use the ATM and look at some of the shops. Gennie finally found a place that sold stamps; she has been carrying her Colca Canyon post cards around for days.

We bought a few bottles of Gatorade to give ourselves a little more hydration because tomorrow we drive to La Paz, at an elevation of roughly 3,650 meters (11,975 feet above sea level).

Accommodations: Hotel Rosario del Lago --- Meals: B & L

To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062

Wow -- I couldn't stop thinking about the song Ricky sang on the ILOVE LUCY show... when you were talking about the Copacabana. Isla del Sol Hiking Trail looks very interesting. Those high altitudes makes you breath slower or shallow. We hiked some Mtns. in New Mexico (about 8,000) and was sure hoping we didn't meet any bears! Hope you get a good nights sleep. BTW, what are fava beans how was the chicken prepared? Loving this trip!!

Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

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Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.

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