I had a minor cold after Machu Picchu, I wasn´t quite sure if it was the altitude, the 4 days of hiking (2 in rain) or both. So I just chilled out in Cuzco for a day basically sleeping.  The following day it was off to Lake Titicaca. Me and two american girls (Tess & Talia) caught a 6hr bus to Puno. They both spoke Spanish so it was very helpful getting to the bus station and also getting tickets.
The Highlight was a FIGHT in the bus station. A bus company guy was attacked by two “ladies” from a rival bus company. It started out with the chicks sorta slapping him around (this was not a small dude). Then the guy got pissed off and pushed one of the ladies down. After that I heard a few wild shreiks and the guy got blasted back into a glass door. I dont know if the ladies shoved him or some other guys stepped in, needless to say the glass door shattered, the guy had his jacket pulled over his head hockey style and someone had enough mercy to drag him to saftey before it got really ugly. I really wish I videoed´ it but I was more concerned about a riot breaking out in the bus station than photography.
After the 6 hrs bus ride turned into 8 hrs we arrived in Puno. As an FYI there is no reason to go to Puno other than to go to the Islas Flotantes (floating islands). We stayed at a small hostel with very hot showers and very slow internet. After the Islas Flotantes we were outta Puno and off to Copacabana.
Apparently the road to Puno was dangerous. Maybe thats why it took two hours longer than expected.
So Puno wasn´t as glamourous as Cuzco. I guess you could say it wasn´t as clean either.
I´m guessing the Peru side of Lake Titicaca has an algae problem?
The green stuff goes on for awhile…
Isla Flotantes, man made floating islands used by the Uros people. The islands where a defense against the the aggressive Collas and Incas. Today they are floating souveneir stands.
The Islands are made like this.Â
Islas Flotantes were still cool though.
After the Islas Flotantes it was time to get out of Puno. While waiting for our bus I noticed that there were bags and bags of live chickens being transported on top of the bus.Â
So after waiting three hours for our bus, the bus company realized that our bus wasn´t going to make it. They inturn hired a “micro” to take us to the Bolivian boarder. Nothing like riding in style. Boarder crossing offices in South America unlike Taco Bell are not always “open late”. With the delay and the time change with Bolivia (Bolivia is 1hr ahead) it was literally the “run for the boarder”.
Copacabana
Copacabana was cool. I know what your thinking but its not the same Copacabana in Rio. It was smaller and a lot more quaint than Puno. Plus we got to take a boat out to Isla Del Sol and do a really cool hike across the island.
Beware of the Armada Bolivian.
My boat driver. One foot on the wheel one eye on the road.
Isla Del Sol is very beautiful. It´s out in the middle of Lake Titicaca. The views from here were awesome.
This stone work is the precursor to Machu Picchu.
At first I thought he was sacrificing a goat or a puma. Turns out he was selling beads and alpaca gear.
The Island of the Sun is the birthplace of the sun in Inca mythology. This is one of the sacred places to Incan culture. Apparently, at this rock you can see a Puma and the bearded white god Viracocha. I think they were eating too much San Pedro Cactus if you ask me.
Copacabana was a one day thing for me. The next day it was off to La Paz the Highest Capitol in the world.
More photos available at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79494094@N00/sets/72157600051582754/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79494094@N00/sets/72157600040060838/
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