Southern Peru-Bolivia Day 11

Day 11 - Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - Depart Copacabana for the Capital of La Paz; Visit Killi Killi viewpoint; Check Into Hotel

Vic went out to get a weather reading; the temperature was 49 degrees and 77% humidity. The skies over the lake were cloud covered - perhaps Copacabana will get rain today.

We had an early departure this morning, our alarm went off at 5:50 and our bags had to be out at 7:00. Everyone was on time and we were able to leave at 7:30.

Our driver, Juan Carlos, had all of the bags packed under the bus. This vehicle is much larger than our Peru bus; most people have two seats.

Pepé explained our itinerary for the day. As we climbed out of the valley we had a great view of the city of Copacabana below. Mario gave us an explanation of the religious traditions in Bolivia.

Although most people are Catholic, they are not fervent and only go to church on special occasions. Now other religious denominations are free to practice their own beliefs.

Mario pointed out the summit of our day, almost 13,992 feet. The vegetation was very sparse, only short grasses and a few trees, mainly eucalyptus.

The bus took us to San Pedro de Tiquina. We boarded a small boat taxi that took us across the strait to the other side to the village of San Pablo de Tiquina.

Juan Carlos took the empty bus on a flat barge. It took longer for the bus to make the crossing. While we waited for the bus, Mario told us more about the negotiations with Chile to get back land for access to the sea.

Bolivia has a large navy stationed at San Pablo to control the waters of Lake Titicaca. Although Pepé told us to be careful of taking photos, the sailors seemed to be friendly and willing to talk.

Our next stop was at the workshop or Kon-Tiki Museo, of Paulino Esteban, the world famous man who helped Thor Heyerdahl build the totora reed boats. At 80 years old, he has a thriving business and sells replica reed boats as well as other Bolivian artifacts.

Paulino told us about the procedures for building the balsa and reed boats. The secret to his success was the way the ropes were made in single strands without knots.

Juan Carlos stopped for a Kodak moment of the Royal Range. The tallest were Janq'u Uma at 6,400 meters or 21,086 feet, Illampu at 6,370 meters or 20,892 feet, and Illimani at 6,390 meters or 21,125ft. The range is 120 miles long, just one section of the Andes.

A new addition to the learning and discoveries of this OAT trip was a ride on the newly constructed La Paz Cable Car. Three lines; yellow, green, and red will take people from the El Alto, a suburb above La Paz to the city center and other districts in the city.

The cable car system will be the highest in the world at 4000 meters (13,000 feet). The cost to ride is very reasonable at 3 bolivianos or about 43 cents.

In La Paz, we had a buffet lunch at the Oberland Hotel and Restaurant. After lunch we took a walk through the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), incredible rock formations designed by erosion of the winds.

By 3:30 we were at our hotel and getting organized for the evening. The drive from Copacabana to La Paz took about 6 hours with many opportunities for photo stops.

Vic took a few clothes to the laundry two blocks from the hotel. A fold-it-yourself operation, it was much cheaper than the hotel service. Pepé brought it to us just before 6 PM.

As we looked out of our room at the Radisson on the 11th floor, we could see the mountains that circle the city. From very simple red brick structures to Spanish colonial cathedrals, and tall skyscrapers, La Paz is certainly of city of diversity.

At 6:00 we joined our group for an orientation walk around the city. Pepé arranged for those who wanted to go to a Brazilian Rodizio for dinner tonight at 7:30.

It was late when we got home, but because we had organized the journal notes and looked at the photos before we went for our walk. Stretching out on the bed felt very good, as the seats on the bus are back-breakers.

La Paz – 3,640 meters – 11,942 feet

Accommodations: Radisson Plaza Hotel La Paz --- Meals: B, L, & D

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

We stopped at the Kon Tiki place as well and probably talked with Sr. Esteban, too! Our trip started in La Paz and ended in Machu Pichu, the opposite direction you are taking now. I hope you both stay well!

Such tall mountains! It's a good thing you are at least used to the altitude in Colorado.

Wow, you are getting high. Was wondering why I was breathing hard. Ha. Beautiful picture of the Royal Mountains yesterday.

That cable car ... I am still trying to catch my breath-13,000 feet--that is really HIGH!!! LOL Loved the pic of the Andes and Paulina Esteban. You have some good leaders, so far!!! Thanks for not making me look over the edge of a cable car!!! LOL

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

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

The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.

Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...

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