Altiplano e Atacama 2001

First sight on La Paz (3700m), right in the background - Illimani (6400m)

Arriving in La Paz by plane is breathtaking, especially early in the morning. Out of the darkness of the night and the monotony of the rain forest, there's a sudden built up of the Andes Cordillera, from 500m to 6400m above sea level over a very short distance. Then the round valley in which La Paz lies becomes visible, its lights seem to beautifully reflect the stars in the sky. After a few turns over the city the plane lands at the El Alto airport. I'm very excited, as just hours ago, I've been at sea level, now already at 4000m. A slight headache occurs but a part from that I feel ok.

My luggage isn't ok, unfortunately. My panniers should have arrived packed together, now they come separated. Even worse, only three out of four show up. My bicycle seems to be ok. The only good thing is that the custom officials have already disappeared by the time I'm ready to go. There's only a bored policeman waving me through. It will take me another week to sort out the things to get my last pannier. At first, everybody seems to be very cooperative, then they pretend to have forgotten my case altogether... in the end it needs a bluff claiming that the headquarters of the airline in the United States has ordered the immediate recovery of my luggage. Suddenly, it all goes smoothely. I'm lucky, as I wouldn't be able to replace my equipment here in Bolivia.

Huyana Potosi (6000m) near La Paz

Skiing hut at Chacaltaya

Libertador Simon Bolivar looking over the car traffic, La Paz

Colorful women on the Independence Day

Lake Titicaca, Copacabana

My first excursion (without my bicycle) goes to the Isla del Sol at Lake Titicaca. I pack up all the stuff I need for some days of hiking and camping. It feels good to leave La Paz. By bus I reach Copacabana at the shore of the lake. Soon there's a boat transporting tourists to the island. The three days out there are fantastic. I'm able to camp each night on another lonely hilltop. To watch the sunset over the lake at these spots is truly amazing.

Camping spot, Isla del Sol

Girl in the Palacio del Inca, Isla del Sol

Breathtaking camping spot on Isla del Sol, with Cordillera Real

Vendors over the Lake Titicaca, Cerro Cristobal, Copacabana

The last boat returns from Isla del Sol, Cerro Cristobal, Copacabana