Here I am in a little internet cafe in Cobacabana, Bolivia. I´m higher than La Paz, about 4000m above sea level and I sure can feel it. Peter and Nick convinced me to walk up a steep hill above the town yesterday, but it was a real killer. My gasps were so heavy I thought I´d collapse!

Cobacabana is a quaint wee tourist town. Aymara women line the streets poking their heads out of little nooks. They sell massive sacks of popcorn, alpaca jerseys and soft drinks.

Yesterday evening Peter, Nick and I ventured to the mystical Isla del Sol, said to be the birthplace of the Inca Empire. The island was carved into Inca terraces, and llamas and donkeys meandered up steep cobblestoned labyrinth paths.

A lovely Aymara lady looked after us when we stayed at Hostal Ichi. She made us the most tender trout from the lake. In the evening we gazed over azure blue Lake Titicaca. Our New Zealand pride still makes us think New Zealand is more beautiful, however.

Here in Bolivia the only beer available is called ¨Pacena¨. Nick and Peter hate it but after a hard day in Spanish land they will guzzle anything down!

As an aside, orange juice is amazing in South America. It is made from real oranges and squeezed especially to order. It´s one of my favourite treats here.

The kids here think Peter is so tall. Wherever he goes the kids whisper ¨Que alto!¨(How tall he is!) Isla del Sol reminded me of the Marlborough Sounds - Kids played in the lake, making mischief. Cheap outboard motors were used to ferry people to far- flung inlets. The evenings were spent relaxing and playing soccer. The sun baked down on us, and we found ourselves rapidly slipping into island time.

The next day we walked up the Inca terraces to the top of the ridge, first we had to pass by a formidable Inca statue and make a religious offering at the top of the Inca walkway. At the top of the ridge we got a fantastic view over the island and could see the Andean mountains glistening in the distance. We could also see the Peruvian border. The walk up the hill was a killer! Try walking up steep cliffs at this altitude, it sure is character building!

We made it back safely to Cobacabana, tomorrow we head to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley.

More adventures to come,

Brittany