Tiwanaku, Bolivia

Bright and early again Enrique and Jorge arrived at El Consulado to take us on our next adventure, Tiwanaku.

Tiwanaku are pre-Inca ruins still being excavated but with little happening at present, due to lack of funding. When these people left here, for reasons not known, they travelled to Peru establishing themselves in Cusco.

Once again we traveled through El Alto without stopping and once through we were on our way to Tiwanaku.

Among the Pre-Columbus villages, the millennial Tiwanaku site is situated at 3,870 metres above sea level, seemingly in the middle of nowhere and without doubt the culture that has plenty of secrets regarding its origin and mysterious final. It is recognised by Andean scholars as one of the most important civilisations prior to the Incas. It is located between the south eastern shores of Lake Titicaca and the dry highlands which provided fish, plants and good herding grounds for their Llamas.

First we went to the museums, where no photos were allowed and then to the archaeological site. The belief of these people was duality. Everything had to balance. The sun and moon, air and water, the sky and the earth and so forth.

Just as we left the archaeological site and drove to the restaurant for lunch it started thundering and lightening. Once inside under cover the rain came down in torrents. We ate a delicious indigenous lunch with Barbara partaking in Llama and Jim the lake fish. Both were delicious and after we had finished we were very full. The restaurant was unconventional for us. When we arrived our driver went to help in the kitchen, he cleared tables and served our food. It was all very laid back, friendly and a fun atmosphere. After we had finished we pitched in and cleared the table.

Just as we were driving away we noticed a new van adorned in flowers and learned from Jorge, who had been speaking with the owners, that they lived in Argentina and had bought this new vehicle. They had driven 8,400 kilometres to Copacabana to have it blessed and then had to drive the same distance back. Note the little reed boats resting on the dashboard..............

Looking toward the Andes from Tiwanaku

Tiwanaku as spelt by the indigenous people in the area

The three Bolivian flags. The one to the left being that of the indigenous people, the one on the right the official Bolivian flag and the one in the middle is to be the new Bolivian flag combining the two flags.