Travelling from La Paz to Puno

Up bright and early, ready to start the first day of the Gap Adventure. We had met the group last night. Eleven travelers. Everyone seems really nice, I am sure it will be a great trip.
7:15 sharp we loaded on to the bus taking us out of La Paz. Two hours later we were hoping off the bus onto a small boat which would take us across Lake Titicaca. The bus is loaded onto a small barge and crosses the lake separately. It made me wonder if the weight of the passengers would sink the barge? When we reached the other side security wanted to see our passports. Apparently we are so close to the Bolivian/ Peru border that all tourists are checked. Everything went smoothly and we got back on the bus heading for the border. We would soon be leaving Bolivia.

First we would stop for lunch at a very quaint town called Capocabana, Bolivia. The town is a small tourist center for Bolivians and it appeared lots of construction was taking place to build the industry. The Hotel Roseria de Lunge was where we enjoyed lunch and the view of Lake Titicaca. Looking out at the lake it appeared to go on forever as if you were sitting at the side of the ocean.

For most of our journey today we followed the coastline of the lake. The communities and towns we drove through appeared to be extremely poor, with homes made of adobe bricks and animals grazing on what seemed to be sunburnt dry land. Sheep, cows, llamas and pigs roamed somewhat freely while staying close to their homes. Everything seems so dry and dusty.

At the border we again got off the bus and had to have our passports stamped to show we were exiting Boliva. Then we walked across a small bridge and crossed into Peru where we had our passports stamped for entering the country. It felt very overwhelming yet cool to actually walk across the border.

Continuing along the coastline we arrived in Puno, Peru for the evening. Hotel Italia would be our home for tonight. After walking around town for about an hour it was time to meet the group for supper. As dinner was served we could hear the rain pouring down on the roof. Not to worry assured our guide, Neil, the rain would be over before we were finished our meal. He was right, it was, but as we left the restaurant the ground was covered with what appeared to be 4 inches of hail. Hail stones and rainwater covered the ground as people splashed and and slipped on the the wet tiles of the sidewalk. Neil indicated this never happens in Peru. All part of the adventure.