30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
D58, T5, Av17, Max67, Tot17048, 6981
Fine and mild
Arising and having to get our gear organised after 3 days here took some time, the clothes line had to come down, whilst everything else had to be put in its place.
An email was sent to the Casas de Ciclistas in La Paz.
From here we wandered into town to have some breakfast, empanadas and an ice cream each, the ice creams are so good that at 0830 in the morning they are fitting. Walnut and mint took my fancy, vanilla with rum and raisin was Deirdres choice.
Back at the room we got Hannah to keep an eye on our gear as we moved it all down stairs, she is still not that well.
The 8km to Kasani and the border again was no problems, it was a lovely day.
At immigration, there were bus loads of people lining up again, though, to their credit the Peruano officials move them through at a rapid rate.
Two other cyclists were in the queue, We looked after their bikes while they did their formalities. In return they looked after ours. They were Canadians from the east, cycling from Quito to Santa Cruz in Bolivia.
We spent some time talking with them, finally leaving about 1200.
Arriving in Yunguyo, the hunt was on for Bencina, after much questioning, we found a ferretería that had some. Four and a half litres were bought, that should see us right for a few weeks. I tried alcohol in Copacabana that is readily available in Bolivia. Not being an oil based product it did not burn with any reliability as expected.
From here a brand new smooth asphalt road greeted us for the trip to Desaguadero, it was as easy as riding gets, tail wind, little rolling resistence, and an almost flat terrain.
Lunch of salmon tomato and red onion in bread was enjoyed on the roadside along the way.
The whole trip saw us following the lake shore to our left, though always beyond the paddocks gently sloping down to it.
At times on our right were patches of snow on the close tops.
A rest was enjoyed at Zepita, with 10km till Desaguadero we arrived there at about 1600.
The town was alive with people everywhere. Stalls were on both sides of the road, music was playing and tricycle taxis were to be avoided all the time.
Though there were hostals and hospedajes everywhere, most were over priced or had narrow staircases up one or two floors.
We visited almost all in the main part of town.
Heading back out of town the Alexis was found. The lime green building on the left heading into town.It was basic. Though our room had the most beautiful across the lake taking in Bolivia. The best views yet from a hostal.
Once again with a bit of hunting about good accommodation was found.
From here we wandered into town, had dinner, used the net and bought fruit.
It was perfect, we spent all our last Soles.
On the way into town there was a semi with a line up of people with the three wheel cycles used for moving goods. They had these loaded up with bags of salt.
Each bag was unloaded by hand and thrown up onto the semi. This kind of work has the ability to easy fill in ones day.
It’s interesting, on one hand you have a piece of 21st century equipment, the late model Volvo semi, and on the other, an ages old method handling goods.
Whilst the connection is still there, work is available for all. Once this connection is lost, say with the use of forklifts. This is when the affliction of unemployment that affects the developed world, begins rapidly.
D58, T5, Av17, Max67, Tot17048, 6981
Fine and mild
Arising and having to get our gear organised after 3 days here took some time, the clothes line had to come down, whilst everything else had to be put in its place.
An email was sent to the Casas de Ciclistas in La Paz.
From here we wandered into town to have some breakfast, empanadas and an ice cream each, the ice creams are so good that at 0830 in the morning they are fitting. Walnut and mint took my fancy, vanilla with rum and raisin was Deirdres choice.
Back at the room we got Hannah to keep an eye on our gear as we moved it all down stairs, she is still not that well.
The 8km to Kasani and the border again was no problems, it was a lovely day.
At immigration, there were bus loads of people lining up again, though, to their credit the Peruano officials move them through at a rapid rate.
Two other cyclists were in the queue, We looked after their bikes while they did their formalities. In return they looked after ours. They were Canadians from the east, cycling from Quito to Santa Cruz in Bolivia.
We spent some time talking with them, finally leaving about 1200.
Arriving in Yunguyo, the hunt was on for Bencina, after much questioning, we found a ferretería that had some. Four and a half litres were bought, that should see us right for a few weeks. I tried alcohol in Copacabana that is readily available in Bolivia. Not being an oil based product it did not burn with any reliability as expected.
From here a brand new smooth asphalt road greeted us for the trip to Desaguadero, it was as easy as riding gets, tail wind, little rolling resistence, and an almost flat terrain.
Lunch of salmon tomato and red onion in bread was enjoyed on the roadside along the way.
The whole trip saw us following the lake shore to our left, though always beyond the paddocks gently sloping down to it.
At times on our right were patches of snow on the close tops.
A rest was enjoyed at Zepita, with 10km till Desaguadero we arrived there at about 1600.
The town was alive with people everywhere. Stalls were on both sides of the road, music was playing and tricycle taxis were to be avoided all the time.
Though there were hostals and hospedajes everywhere, most were over priced or had narrow staircases up one or two floors.
We visited almost all in the main part of town.
Heading back out of town the Alexis was found. The lime green building on the left heading into town.It was basic. Though our room had the most beautiful across the lake taking in Bolivia. The best views yet from a hostal.
Once again with a bit of hunting about good accommodation was found.
From here we wandered into town, had dinner, used the net and bought fruit.
It was perfect, we spent all our last Soles.
On the way into town there was a semi with a line up of people with the three wheel cycles used for moving goods. They had these loaded up with bags of salt.
Each bag was unloaded by hand and thrown up onto the semi. This kind of work has the ability to easy fill in ones day.
It’s interesting, on one hand you have a piece of 21st century equipment, the late model Volvo semi, and on the other, an ages old method handling goods.
Whilst the connection is still there, work is available for all. Once this connection is lost, say with the use of forklifts. This is when the affliction of unemployment that affects the developed world, begins rapidly.
