I’ve watched Bullfights in Spain and Mexico but the thing i liked about Bolivian bullfights is that the bull isn’t hurt or killed, the only weapon used against the beast is a water pistol. These bullfights pictured marked the end … Continue reading
Nowadays I try and plan my trips to coincide with local festivals. This was partly ignited a few years ago in Guatemala when by chance on visiting a nearby village I happened to be there for their annual fiesta. It … Continue reading
The wild, rural and rugged beauty of the Isla del Sol…
From Copacabana it is a simple boat ride across to the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), 20 Bolivianos (approx £1.90) secures passage on the 1 1/2 hour voyage from one of the few jetties I didn’t photograph on … Continue reading
So, finally into Bolivia – its only a few hours from Puno, Peru to Copacabana (the Brazilian one was named after this town on the shores of Lake Titicaca), Bolivia. You go over a land border in which you get your exit visa stamped into your passport on the Peruvian side and then walk 20 yards to the Bolivian side to get a Bolivian entry visa stamped in (I forgot to ask for a longer 60 day one so will probably have to pay a small fine when I leave Bolivia as will have slightly overstayed the 30 day visa granted).
After checking into my hotel and failing to get a decent internet connection I headed into town and starting getting amongst it. This is the Bolivian weekly ritual of blessing ones vehicles (known as Ch’alla) in which families bring their car up to the Plaza in front of the Cathedral to decorate their drive with flowers, ribbons and douse it in alcohol (plenty of which is usually left over).
In a few days the Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria would begin, I was here to shoot it but until it began I could content myself photographing the Jetties, Ch’alla and paying a visit to the beautiful Isla del Sol…
Weekly ritual of blessing vehicles known as ‘Ch’alla’ outside the Cathedral, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Traditional Bolivian dish of Trout with chips and rice, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Table football tables, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Copacabana Beach in the late afternoon, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Jetty on Cobacabana Beach at dusk, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Lone boat in water, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
View from Cerro Calvario of Copacabana at dusk, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
View from Cerro Calvario of Copacabana at dusk, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
The main Plaza, Puno, Peru. The time: 17:48. I’m killing time waiting for the sky to darken and the square to light up, a twilight shot of this location is planned. I come across this raucous wedding celebration outside the cathedral. It is pulling people in, one can’t help but go and watch.
A Mariachi band plays as the couple dance with their relatives, I watch for a little while then find myself unzipping the camera bag. Didn’t think my first wedding of the year would be until April!
Instinctively I’m moving ahead of the couple as they begin to exit the scene, getting in position for the money shot of the two lovers and Cathedral behind, not even thinking about it. I don’t know why I’ve started covering it – the couple must be wandering who I am as they edge down the steps towards their waiting carriage. The Mariachi band keeps playing as the couple depart.
Next stop – Bolivia…
Peruvian wedding with Mariachi Band, Plaza de Armas, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Peruvian wedding with Mariachi Band, Plaza de Armas, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Peruvian wedding with Mariachi Band, Plaza de Armas, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Peruvian wedding with Mariachi Band, Plaza de Armas, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Peruvian wedding with Mariachi Band, Plaza de Armas, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Peruvian wedding with Mariachi Band, Plaza de Armas, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Peruvian wedding with Mariachi Band, Plaza de Armas, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru
A Bus ride through stunning unspoilt scenery to the sacred lake. A day trip out to the Uros islands – too touristy (maybe with a private guide to take you out to the little visited communities there it might be … Continue reading
From Arequipa the bus winds through valleys and hamlets. We drove through a blizzard, and we passed a local festival that looked so fun I was tempted to jump out and stay, but the destination at the end of the … Continue reading
After a morning at Machu Picchu we caught the train back to Ollantaytambo, collected our bags (Peru Rail limits passengers to one bag) and negotiated a taxi to Cusco, from where we to catch a night bus to Arequipa. The … Continue reading
Like a beacon this lost citadel rises from the clouds. Wayna Picchu stands majestically above it and the Urubamba river flows beneath. We left the hotel in Aguas Calientes (the closest town to Machu Picchu) at 4.30am to begin the … Continue reading
BEN PIPE PHOTOGRAPHY 