So next we spent 3 days in Sucre, just resting from the trip to the lakes and the Salar. We had an awesome hotel (Hostel de la Merced), where we had a very nice upgrade (special thanks Luis!!!). By the way now that we are thanking Luis, for those of you who like the trip we are doing and would like to do a similar one in the future, please contact Luis Lopez (www.laroutedesandes.ch). He's my friend who has helped us to organize the whole trip and everything is working so so well and it's thanks to him so don't hesitate to pay him a visit. Now back to the hotel in Sucre...the room was on the last floor of the hotel and a magnificent view on the vvv romantic & charming city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage.
Sucre was Bolivia’s first capital, and it’s quite funny because it’s not really defined internally which one is the capital between Sucre and La Paz...and as you can guess both inhabitants have their version of the story!
Since we wanted to relax, we didn’t do much, and Claire decided she would find a hairdresser to do her highlights… ok she decided not to do so for the moment – they were suggesting to dye the hair and then to color it in blonde… and clearly had never done any highlights on blonde hair!
Other than that, we spent a lot of time sleeping and relaxing in the parks… and we visited the Casa de la Libertad (pretty cool) which is where the independence of Bolivia was declared and signed in 1825. We also saw the first flag of Argentina...Claire almost cried...too much emotion!
After Sucre, we flew to La Paz, and went directly to Lake Titicaca and the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun). The lake is extremely beautiful and looks more like a sea, because it’s so so big, and also because on Saturday evening on our way to the lodge we experienced some huge waves which scared Alex (so bad...)- On Sunday we did a 4-hour hike to cross the island of the Sun from North to South, which was just amazing, our guide told us all the legends about the islands and Claire even got to step next to the sun’s steps (see pic). After which we watched the magnificent sunset with a Paceña (local beer) and a huge smile.
On Monday it was All Saints day, and here the tradition is to bake a lot of bread in the form of men and women, ladders, lamas, etc. so that the dead people in the family who come and visit them get some help to go back to paradise. It’s quite interesting to see how catholic and indigenous religions are mixed and accommodated, in the rituals and the churches – sometimes in a very simple way. For example, the Virgin is the equivalent of the Pacha Mama (mother earth).
After visiting the Isla de la Luna (Moon Island), we took a boat and returned to La Paz. La Paz (which is the highest capital in the World at more than 4000 m) is a huge city, Alex particularly enjoyed its size and the mountains surrounding it (there's a 5400m peak just next to it...). We also really enjoyed the beautiful 5 star hotel room with TWO bedrooms and 2 bathrooms! Quel luxe J
From La Paz we flew to Cusco, Peru! Cusco is an amazing little city, full of tourists like us! I know we shouldn’t compare, but Peru has definitely much higher standards than Bolivia (is more expensive too though), but as a Swiss citizen, we feel we’ve entered a whole new dimension! Cusco is very beautiful, with its colonial style, renovated monasteries and numerous Inca testimonies. We have spent two amazing days here and are particularly enjoying the Peruvian cuisine (Lomo saltado, etc.)- We had the most amazing ceviche and sushis last night at Limo’s, downtown.
We will be taking a bus to Valle Sacrado tomorrow, which will lead us to Macchu Picchu in 3 days! Can’t wait!
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