Puno to Copacabana. A fantastic 24 hours in Peru. Now in Bolivia.

We managed to get out to Uros and visited the floating islands and met some beautiful people. We were shown how they live the conditions of their reed homes and the basic needs that sustain them. We were shown how they make their islands, the clothing, cooking facilities. It was a tourist trip with a different twist, no heavy pressure selling from the Uros people, only kind, smiling faces and a warmth that made you welcome.

As the sun set it was time to leave the island and head back to the mainland of Puno harbour. We had a long day of riding and a visit to the floating islands, now it's time for dinner and get a good night's sleep before we start our final ride in Peru. Tomorrow we enter Bolivia.

With a good night's sleep it was now 8 am and the police were outside waiting to give us an official escort out of the city. It's such a cool feeling weaving in and around traffic with intersections being blocked whilst we rode through. Once again it was 15 seconds of fame with the locals. Once out on the highway it was smooth sailing all the way to the lunch stop at 70 kms,

The first part of the day were flat roads with a slight tailwind and at times a full on head wind. I rode with Rien, Michelle, Patrick and Hardy. Patrick had another accident today when  bus brushed him off the bike and caused him to hit the road for the 2nd time in 2 days. He broke his Gopro and also smashed the side  mirror off the bus. Now he had more scrapes to worry about. For the rest of the day he was really suffering with the extra injuries and the sore ribs from the big crash yesterday.

After lunch we still had about 60 kms to go to reach the Peruvian/Bolivian border. Now the head wind was getting stronger and the day was getting longer and longer. About 20 kms from the border I found a party going on with the village people of the district. We all got off the bikes and went for a walk across the field and took a look. Everyone was dancing, the band was playing and they were all drinking beer. The men and women were drinking and having a great time. I got dragged in and started dancing with a young gorgeous Peruvian lady with this dress that swirled perfectly when I was turning her around. She offered me a drink and I had to refuse. I don't think I've ever seen so much alcohol at a party in my life. We danced and had a fantastic  time and were treated not like tourists but a part of the family.

Back on the bike and to the border. I had an issue at the border because I lost a bit of people that I needed to leave Peru. After a bit of negotiation skills, I had a stamp and I was on my way to Bolivia. The Bolivian control was a simple process and all we needed to do was roll down the hill and into the lake shore town of Copacabana.

What an amazing day, riding, dancing and leaving Peru with the warmest memories of beautiful, humble people.

We arrived at our hotel at 5pm and were glad to get off that seat and rest my ass for a day. Tomorrow is a rest day and I'm doing nothing. We have 2 more riding days and then we hit La Paz and the mighty death ride bicycle adventure.

I'll try and post some photos during the day when I have good wifi.

Until tomorrow, safe riding.