Hangover from Hell on Floating Islands
Trip Start
Aug 21, 2008
1
47
59
Trip End
Ongoing
Puno, Peru
Saturday, January 24, 2009
On arrival in Puno, I just wanted to recuperate on the next Bus to Bolivia but didnīt want Mer to miss Punoīs main tourist attraction - the floating Islands. Inhabited by approximately 300 'Uros' people, the little islands are made entirely of reeds, and as their name suggests, they simply bob up and down in the middle of Lake Titicaca.
We bought what we thought were transit tickets to the island but found ourselves on a Tour Boat! The islands were a unique experience though not much to do save nurse my hangover. It was quite a weird feeling as you walked across the springy reed 'ground' and you could see the whole island moving with the swell of the water beneath...my favourite position was lying face down in the reeds hoping for salvation. [Mer: Seriously, hungover Mark sucks.]
By 3pm we were back on the road to Bolivia. At the border Meridyth got stung for a whopping $135 for a tourist visa and I paid nothing. This fee is how much the US charge Bolivians to enter the country and therefore Bolivia countered with the same charge. Another great piece of US foreign policy!
Upon arrival in Copacabana (No Lola) we splurged on one of the best rooms in town. A cute attic suite at La Cupula, including our own sun room with sea and sunset views which we thought we deserved after roughing in for a while. Copacabana itself was nothing special and we even skipped the famous Isla del Sol due to travel fatigue but we enjoyed doing nothing in our home from home other than chilling and watching dvds. A much needed rest!!
[Mer: La Cupula was amazing... and the bed was so comfy! And we practically took over the DVD room... even kicking out one of the hostel employees who wanted to watch a local soccer game. I felt a little bad, but he shouldnīt have been slacking off of work in the first place. The only other highlight to Copacabana was the discovery of "api", a hot purple drink made of blackberries, corn, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Mmmmm... that with a puffed, powder sugar pastry... oooh, I have goose bumps.]
