Titicaca and into Bolivia

Views of Titicaca as we leave Puno for La Paz

We are traveling to Bolivia to do a circuit of the tropical lowlands in the notorious burning season. This chapter gives a view of our journey on the way out. You can see the improved images on our return trip in the Copacabana chapter.

Llamas being shepherded

The border town gardens with shaped trees

The Peru-Bolivia border was an interesting affair with many Quechua women passing through in woven costumes with large bundles of textiles and other possessions.

The road then continued along the shores of Titicaca passing more altiplano settlements with their little mud and brick farm houses and women shepherding llamas in the fields.

The snow-capped moutains became more prominent.

We then stopped in at  Copacabana for lunch while the buses shuttled so we had to pick up a new ride to La Paz. We look at the famous cathedral on the return journey. On the return journey we traveled out by boat ans spent the night on Isla del Sol the birthplace of the Incas and their deities.

Panorama of the Copacabana shore line and Titicaca

Images of Heath, Jane Adam and below Chris waiting for the next bus to La Paz

The religious 'battlements' above Copacabana

Looking back at Copacabana

Looking back at Copacabana

The road then wound on to high country, before returning to the lake for a ferry crossing at a narrow neck across the lake.

The full sweep of the Andes becomes visible beyond the lake

Andes panorama

Panorama of the ferry crossing

We had to cross in a separate launch from the primitive vehicle ferry.

On the other side, a bunch of lcal Quechua people were dancing to a very idiosyncrative brass band, the women twirling and flaring their pleated skirts.

Sounds of the band (mp3)

Banzer IS Bolivia!

On the other shore were political monuments to the founders of Bolivia.

Statue of a reed boat

The snow-capped Andes now become really prominent

Small mud brick town continue on the altiplano