BOLIVIA

The poorest country in South America

Bolivia was in a state of turmoil just prior to our arrival from Peru, via Lake Titicaca. Their President had resigned under extreme pressure from the people. We were warned by our Foreign Affairs Department in Australia not to visit but, as we had our own guide and the people were protesting over their own internal issues, we felt is was quite safe to enter the country. And it was.

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It's also huge. In places you can't see the other side. We drove by bus around the lake from Puno in Peru to Copacabana (the original one, not the one in Rio) in Bolivia. Crossing the border was very relaxed and friendly. Not much paperwork needed to be done. It was a case of having your passport stamped and getting money changed, then walking across the border to be met by our bus on the other side.

Once in Copacabana we boarded a catamaran for Sun Island, the birthplace of the Inca King and Queen, Manco Kapac and Mama Huaca. This was the home of the original Incas, before they headed out to conquer the rest of the continent.

We were fortunate to come across an end of school year procession. Proud parents watched their children dance down the main road, all dressed in national costumes. In Copacobana we watched a number of cars and trucks being blessed by the local priest. This was quite an event. Every vehicle is blessed by covered in flowers and goes through a religious ceremony prior to being used by its new owner.

On Sun Island we were taken on a long hike (at high altitude). Our guide carried along an oxygen tank just in case we couldn't handle. We didn't need the oxygen!!

Our next stop was La Paz. This is quite an amazing city, apart from being the highest in the world. Imagine a very large city set in a very large valley. That's La Paz. It's surrounded by snow capped mountains and is very impressive. The highway to La Paz from Lake Titicaca was a toll way. However, the toll booths had been destroyed during the recent uprising - something a lot of people would enjoy doing.....

La Paz is a delightful city, despite the gun shots in the night (we were assured they were only fireworks). It's a mixture of modern and quaint oldness. Women in their local costumes selling fruit and vegetables in the streets, shoe shine men everywhere, beautiful old buildings, particularly around Murillo Square, and the witches market. This is where you can buy everything you need to cast spells and ensure health and happiness. On display are llama foetuses, dried bats, dead cats, just to name a few.