Ha, Island of the Sun - remove ´u´ and add ów´on the end and that was our experience of this majestical place :o)

So we had some bad luck with the weather on this trip, ok it is winter but we did expect sun on the sun island, but snow it was, just to make us feel more at home?

Isla Del Sol was the birthplace of the Incas obsession with sun mythology. Visited from Copacabana (the beach resort in Rio takes it´s name from here) you can take scenic walks and visit ruins.

It was pretty cold when we got to Copa and our hotel didn´t do much to compensate for that, but it was cheap. During a meal with a couple we met in Argentina (the gringo trail is small and insestuous, gossip gets far (honestly), just like Braintree - sorry BT crew had to use that one ;o)) the heavens opened and the winds came in from the sea, brrrrr. Next day looked like it might have cleared up but during the slowest boat journey in the world (1 and 1/2 hours, 5km and hour, serious!) it started to snow. Cleared up again when we got there and some local lads, aged 10 told the guys were were travelling with that it was ´no problema mate´ for them to carry their bags up the steep stairs to the hostels. They did far better than any of us to be honest, although we were all a bit concerned but they wanted the work, really sweet, well cheeky! They also took us to our hostel although we knew where to go and we tipped them a little and the hostel gave them food for the business.

Settled into a ´posh´hostel really, more like a cabin hotel with a nice restuarant and a fire, much needed. Met a great couple from the States and shared lots of tea with them to get rid of the frozen fingers. Tried to see more of the island but the snow came in too heavily, and it was so cold! We got caught in a blizzard and it was smashing into our faces, a gringo with a camera took a picture of us for his tales, it was that comical (!??!). So we slept to not be cold and then ate more. Cheered for Bolivia in the Copa America and heated rocks for bed, which literally saved the day, there may have been tears otherwise.

The next morning we had a few hours to explore and the weather was much better, and you know what, it was lovely and magical and beautiful, oh for that damn snow. Marched at a pace from the south to the north for a boat back, met the cheeky lads again and took the sloowwwwwwwwwwww boat back to Copa. Missed all the ruins, no time, damn you snow. Stayed in a lovely hotel in Copa this time (sod off cheap cold place) which had to its bonus, a log fire in the bedroom (in the bedroom!!!) and a cat with two newborn kittens, arhhh. Met the US chums for a flambée banana (the best!) and watched the Wimbo final the next day - so all was well and cosy again in the end.

Bye bye to Bolivia - two more nights in La Paz and then a flight to Cuzco, Peru. At least some more time for beer and pancakes.