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TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
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“As someone we met said, Copa seems to have a very positive energy about it. We certainly agree.” |
Our bargain bus trip to Copa saw us rushing out of our hotel, hustled along by the operator (who later made us wait interminably breathing exhaust fumes at his leisure). The bus was a bit scary but took us up the hillside and across the interesting countryside on our 4 hour journey.
Along the way we passed very basic villages,farming on stoney, rocky ground. In the distance massive, snow covered mountains rose up into the clouds. The country people live in run down stone cottages, but outside some of the roadside stalls there are fooseball tables set up for the entertainment of the locals.
Arriving at Lago Titikaka we had to leave the bus and watch it perilously cross the lake to a village on the other side on a relatively small barge. We all then enjoyed a fumey ride across like sardines jammed in a small boat. Somehow Taylor managed to delay being sick until we got off. On the other side the Bolivian Navy was based. Very impressive bunch of uniforms... didn't see any boats though. Poor Bolivia had its coastal strip taken by Chile at some stage so now it's land locked.
The lake is beautiful and is quite immense. It goes all the way to the horizon in some directions. The land surrounding it reminded me of the areas around Lake Jindabyne, but here there are ancient stone retaining walls on all the hillsides. At some stage a lot of people broke their backs out here.
The arrival at Copacabana is spectacular as you see the small village nestled on a curved bay with high peaks at either end. We were dropped off at the tour office and then had to drag our bags to the hotel "just a block away". Well, maybe so, but up a steep hill covered with cobblestones and steps. We must have looked quite pathetic as we struggled away, all with altitude sickness, and poor Taylor needing to lie down against a bag every 5 metres.
Finally we arrived at La Cupola and were delighted both with the reception and the location looking out over the bay. Our room was like a private residence, with our own front yard and hammocks from which to enjoy the view.
Copacabana offered quite fantastic value in shopping, food and accommodation and we made the most of the opportunity presented to us. Dinner for 4 in the restaurant with drinks, set us back about $17 Australian dollars and Alpaca jumpers and hats were very cheap.
With Sandy's birthday occuring during our stay, she managed to work through a few Bolivianos, helping the local economy and Bolivia's GDP considerably. (Some disagreement on including that statement..)
Our altitude sickness regrettably stopped us going to Isla del Sol or climbing the peaks, but gave us the chance to recover and we enjoyed the sunshine immensely. Aa lovely lady Willow we met said, Copa seems to have a very positive energy about it. We certainly agree.
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suebee says:
Copa sounds nice :-)