After a night in the quiet town of Copacabana on the banks of Bolivia and Peru's Lake Titicaca, Marisa and I took a one-and-a-half hour ferry to the legendary Isla del Sol.
According to Inca mythology, this island, which sits close to the center of the lake, was not only the site of creation, but also the birthplace of the sun. The island is green and lush, and from the top of its second highest peak, you can see the mountainous shoreline in all directions, including a line of spectacularly snow-capped peaks to the east. Lake Titicaca is also known as being the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3800 meters, and has water bluer and more pristine than even my favored Lake Tahoe in California. With all of the spectacular views in every direction, it is no wonder that the Inca considered this to be a holy place.
After arriving at the small dock on the southside of the island, Marisa and I scaled the famed Escalera del Inca (Inca Stairway) a few hundred feet up to the village perched on a small plateau there. After looking around a bit, she returned to Copacabana to catch a bus to Cusco, while I found a quaint but simple hostel near the top of the village with views of the lake on 3 sides.
For lunch I visited a small family restaurant where I was treated to some of the best Trout I have ever eaten in my life. It was caught just off the island this morning. Since then, I have done some hiking, reading and taking pictures.
Even now I as I sit on this hilltop, it is tough to believe that I am in such a beautiful place. For the 3rd time on my trip, I am experiencing the joy of finding a place here in South America that I have dreamed about. I look forward to what will come.
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