In the previous year, this tour rode directly from La Paz to cross the border into Peru and then finished for two days at Puno in Peru. This program took them to 11pm, after a nine-hour border crossing at the infamour Kisani Border crossing point (where the buildings had been burnt down in the past by rioting locals objecting to the degree of Chinese investment and interest in Peru).
So we had determined to break it into two sections, with the first from La Paz stopping just 8km short of the border in a resort town called Copacabana. This was a short section of about 140km following the coast of Lake Titicaca first on the Bolivian side then on the other side heading to Peru. The riding was excellent with stupendous views from various LO's and also wonderful flowing curves in the road, perfect for motorcyclists. About half way we had to take a ferry boat across 500 metres of water. There were many ferries running all flat punts with a small outboard motor and random pieces of sawn timber for the deck, complete with gaps! Loading was interesting as we had to find a place to park the bikes so that the side stands would not collapse in the gaps and tip the bike over. We did it well, and JS filmed the whole thing using his new DJI Drone.
Our hotel was a little un-usual and was along a very dusty coast road. It looked smart enough but had no lifts so that lugging heavy bags up six flights of stairs and at altitude was no easy task. The rooms had a great view, but no heating or air conditioning. To make things more interesting, the owners never mowed the lawns around the building, but employed three Llamas to wander round and chew everything in all directions.
After a picnic lunch under a tree by the lake, Sheryle and I walked into town for some dessert and coffee which was excellent, but the altitude was getting to us and I did not sleep well.
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