Lake Titicaca, Tiquina and Copacabana

Lake Titicaca, Tiquina, Copacabana and Isla del Sol

Our guide Enrique and driver Jorge (Henry & George) arrived very early for our trip on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. We drove through Le Paz and out towards the airport. At the airport we were back at 4,060 metres above sea level and in the adjacent new city of El Alto. El Alto is a sprawling city of 1.1 million people with little infrastructure, street dogs everywhere, unpaved main streets, unfinished buildings and basic squalor. It is a very dangerous place and very dirty. Hence we drove straight through without stopping. The people that live here arrived from the countryside in the last decade or so, looking for a better life. They purchased a small piece of land to build their house on, however, most are unfinished. Needless to say there is no architectural control!!!!!!!

Leaving El Alto behind we headed out into the countryside with the majestic Andes mountains in the distance.

Our first stop was to a small homestead, where the women were traditional weavers and the men made the reed boats, historically used for fishing on the lake. It was here also that Thor Heyerdahl, explorer and ethnographer had one of his boats built, the Ra II. Unfortunately, the fishing boats only lasted for about a year as the reeds broke down in the water, so are now made of wood for greater durability and longevity. However, the craft is still being carried on, with the making of model boats for display, patio furniture, etc.

Our next stop was Tiquina, a town which straddles both sides of the narrowest part of the lake where you cross by ferry to travel to Copacabana. We crossed on the ferry along with the vehicle and several others, on boards that looked somewhat suspect. We were assured that although they did not look good they were in fact very strong. They did carry very large vehicles and we did not see one sink so, perhaps it is true. On the far shore we drove on towards our first destination stop at Copacabana. We went straight to the dock and embarked on our little boat that took us to Isla del Sol (Sun Island). The trip was about forty minutes and when we landed we walked up steep cliffs, visiting Inca ruins on the way to the rustic restaurant, where we partook in a delicious traditional lunch consisting of chicken, fish, rainbow trout which was more like salmon, various varieties of potato, corn and fruit. This was all washed down with the National drink "Coca Cola" South Americans love their Coca Cola along with similar local brands such as Inca Cola and Quina Cola. The terraces left by the Incas are now in full use growing all the vegetables consumed on Isla del Sol making them totally self sufficient. After lunch we took the boat along to the port and climbed the steps of the Incas up the hill, with beautiful views from the top. On the steps we met a charming little girl who wanted us to visit her llamas and take photos. We noted she had a small purse hanging from her neck where obviously the payments were duly collected. We did not have time to see the llamas so she smiled and skipped off. Also on the steps we passed an elderly lady with a bundle of wares on her back, almost as large as herself. It was arduous work walking down all those steps and then all the way back up again at night taking the bundle with her.

After our wonderful lunch and visit to the ruins we boarded the boat again for our ride back to Copacabana. As we were nearing the shore we could see a fierce lightening storm in the distance. We made it to shore, being met by Jorge, who duly drove us up through the town, to the Basilica. The clouds by this time had blackened above us in a very angry fashion and just as we reached cover at the Basilica, torrential rain was unleashed. We headed inside to the beautiful interior in complete contrast to the very stark exterior. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside. Luckily, by the time we emerged from the Basilica the storm had passed and we did not get soaked. We saw the flower stalls outside and the petals outlining the blessing of a vehicle but alas no photo shoot.

We were at the end of our visit to Lake Titicaca and Copacabana and began our long journey home, but not before stopping briefly to gaze down on Copacabana from above. It is a haven for backpackers, where they say a good room costs as little as seven dollars U.S, per night. We drove on once again, boarding the ferry at Tiquina, for our final leg of the journey. We stopped once more for an awesome view of the Andes, yet again in all their glory. We arrived back very tired, had a quick bite to eat and fell into bed. The following day was another long trip to the pre-Inca ruins at Tiwanaku................