Sophie in South America

Sophie is in Peru living her last couple of days of her south American trip. she got caught in Equador for a tense few days in early October when there was a kind of coup when the police revolted against the president because they didn't like the removal of some of their overtime, and also the time between promotions, so they kidnapped the president. Equador's borders were closed, and Sophie's travelling companion, Steph's mother, Joan, rang me, and we shared our concerns together. Sophie and Steph, however, were safe in the country in an organic farmlet, where they could have outlasted a longer lock down of the country than they had to.

Oct 5 They managed to get a bus to the border, into Bolivia, and then another bus, after waiting 6 hours for it to turn up. . . A bus which took 30 hours (!!!) to get into Lima, Peru.

" http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=Lima&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lima,+Peru&gl=nz&ei=4g29TPrNAZKWsgO9m6TwDA&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA&t=h&z=9 "



from here they flew to Cuzco ,


Some info here: http://www.juliustours.com/paquetes/cusco1E.html

stepping off onto the Inca Trail from here, (Oct 7) along with 5 other friends whom the met up with in Cusco.





Sophie trekked up Machu Picchu -
an hours trek up steps which she did in 45 mins
because of time pressure.

Then they went to Punos on Lake Titicaca - the floating islands - (Oct 13) -

"In Puno, you can arrange to go on one of the Lake Titicaca tours that visits the Uros islands, which are made from the tortora reed. These islands float, and the natives who live here carry on a tradition that goes back thousands of years. "

and stayed the night with a traditional family - got dressed up in their outfits,then looking at other islands, and back to PUnos, , then to Copacabana.

"Lake Titicaca is a most sacred place when it comes to Inca religion and mythology, as it was here that the first Inca king, Manco Capac, was born by the sun god, Inti. Manco would create the Kingdom of Cusco, thus beginning the Inca Empire. If you make it to the Bolivian town of Copacabana, where pilgrims from all over the continent come to get the Virgin's blessing, then you can take a boat to the Isla del Sol. There is a sacred rock here which marks the point from which Manco Capac emerged.







"Copacabana is a holy city on the shores of Lake Titicaca in northwestern Bolivia. Once sacred to the Incas, Copacabana is now home to the revered statue of La Virgen de la Candelaria, the patron saint of Bolivia. This city is far less famous than the beach of the same name in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but the latter was named after this one—by grateful Brazilian fisherman who were saved from a storm by the Virgin of Copacabana. In addition to the Catholic basilica, Copacabana is home to several pre-Incan sacred sites and hosts a number of colorful Catholic festivals. And it is the best base in Bolivia for exploring Lake Titicaca and the ancient temples of Isla del Sol. "

Image of Lake Titikaka:
http://www.destination360.com/south-america/peru/lake-titicaca/virtual-tour