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After Sun Island, we traveled to our next hotel in Huatajata on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Outside our hotel window we could see an eco-village that was part of the hotel complex.
The local people sun dry their potatoes so they can last through the winter. The potatoes lose most of their size and acquire a black tint. Nearly every meal contained both potatoes and rice.
Our hotel was recognized as having the highest elevator in the world.
We were pleased to meet Demetrio Limachi, who was the builder of several reed boats that crossed the Atlantic Ocean. One of those boats was the RA-II.
Near our hotel was a small but lovely old chapel
We had lunch at one of the hotel restaurants that was built over Lake Titicaca.
Suzanna is standing beside a Century cactus. It blooms only once every 100 years.
After the Century cactus blooms, it secretes an oily liquid, which spontaneously ignites and burns the cactus.
Parts of Lake Titcaca are shallow and covered with reeds, which the natives use for livestock fodder, building materials and creating floating islands. Our boat traveled through channels in the reeds.
We visited a small island, where they still make the reed boats and saw this old church.
Next we took a reed boat to see the Quewaya Island natives on Uru-Iruitos Floating Island.
The islanders supplement their income by selling home-made crafts.
As we traveled towards La Paz, we noticed that most of the vehicles were crowded with passengers.
Near La Paz, we visited the Tiwanaku Ruins. This was the remains of a gigantic pre-Inca temple and city that dates back to the 1300’s.
Embedded into the walls were hundreds of carvings of heads. Each one was done out of a different kind of stone and took decades to carve.
In the city of La Paz is a large cross that was put up in honor of Pope John Paul’s visit.
The streets of La Paz were filled with street vendors.
La Paz government buildings
Suzanna at our last dinner in Bolivia. Out the window we could see the city of La Paz.
Leaving La Paz, we flew over the Andes mountains.
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