Leaving the Island Before the Rain

After such a long walk to Punta Norte (heavy backpack and all), I was looking forward to catching the boat back to Copacabana. Unfortunately, the boat wasn't running that day, so we had to hoof it back over the entire island in time to catch the late afternoon boat from the southern end of the island.

There was no use complaining, though, and the weather was still good, so we slung our backpacks on our weary shoulders and started back. The hills somehow seemed higher on the return journey, but it is much easier to hike when you are in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

We had time to stop for lunch before the boat, and casually made our way down to the dock. We were burned with a return fare that was 50% higher than our fare to the island, but considering that the exchange rate meant that the hour long boat ride cost us less than $2.00US, it was a minor burn.

The boat ride was smooth, but off in the distance we could see rain clouds dumping on the northern side of the lake, moving toward the island. We had been very fortunate to have the weather that we did while we were on the island, just one more thing that has been perfect about this trip.

Back in Copacabana, we found a hotel for just over two dollars US each with warm water (not hot, unfortunately), and took much needed showers. Then we went to a nice restaurant and had a truly splendid meal, where I ate strawberries and cream that tasted just like the sunset looked the night before.

All in all, I can't speak highly enough of Copacabana and Isla del Sol. Actually, maybe I shouldn't, lest it become too crowded. Hear me: stay away from Lake Titicaca and especially the Islands of the Sun and Moon. There are wild hogs everywhere, everyone gets food poisoning, and all your posessions will be stolen, leaving you to run naked through the Bolivian streets, where children will laugh and throw mud at you.