After a lazy day at Copacabana and a nice afternoon to the Isla del Sol
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_del_Sol
 
we pushed hard to make it in one day to Cusco, which included a rather straight forward border crossing (nice surprise for a change), some obnoxious shoe polish boys in Puno (No means NO - even in spanish) and running late into the afternoon, so we arrived after sunset garnished with rain, crazy Peruan bus drivers, wild life on the road and another city full of madness:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco
 
Again, my GPS saved the day - otherwise there would have been no way to make it to the hotel.
 
Coming down with a bad cold, so might have to pull a rest day.
 
By the way, did you know that they have coca leaves on the breakfast buffet table? they make tea out of it or you can chew it and it should help with the altitude sickness...

In La Paz, Bolivia right now. did the road of death:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road
 
Was not so bad as it sounds, since they built a brand new highway at the other side of the gorge. So no traffic on the death road, but amazing experience. first we went from La Paz up to 4700m then dropped down into the Bolivian Amazonas at 1000m - all that only over 40km or so.
 
Had a good look at the city today. Absolutely crazy. Organised chaos comes into my mind - bu9t it works - somehow.
 
Tomorrow I will continiue my trip to the Lake Titicaca(nice word) and stay at Copacabana (nice word too).
 
Currently riding with 3 Americans, well, actually only 2, since the third one had a fatal crack of his maneframe of his Suzuki V-Strom. He should have bought a BMW ;-))
 
Anyway, should be a good ride tomorrow and then I will cross into Peru, and from there back down to Santiago. 2 weeks and it is all over... but I think I had enough. Shoulder hurts, wrist hurts, back hurst... not much left. So time to go home.
 
Still no fast internet connection to upload pictures. But will come sooner or later.
 
I am out of here, finish line in sight.
 
Laters

Made it to Bolivia today... the whole day was a bit of a nightmare, since the bike didnt want to start due to low temperature and thin air, but after jump starting it she ticking away just fine.
 
Then I converted the bike into a rolling bomp, by strapping two 5 liter canisters of 97 octane unleaded fuel to my luggage.
 
Then I was dicked around at the border crossing with all the paperwork: I checked out of Argentina, then went 20m further to the Bolivian border control wher I checked it. When I asked the dude in uniform where I get my temporary import permit for the motorbike he was just smiling and pointed back to the Argentinian border crossing. First I thought it was just my poor spanish, but then I realised that I had to turn around stuff around with more little guys in green uniforms... 2 hours later I was on the other side -
 
HOWEVER, I had now Bolivian money, now more water and I shared my breakfast with a bum at the campground. So, there was no other choice than doing the 400 something kilometers to Potosi over gravel, switchbacks and at high altitude.
 
But in the end there was success! Just before nightfall I rolled into the worlds highest city at more than 4000m altitude. Even the easiest thing - like going to the toilet - leaves you breathless. Now imagine jump starting a 650cc single cylinder motorbike first thing in the morning.
 
Bolivia is very beautiful (from what I´ve seen so far).
 
Will try to upload some pictures tomorrow.
 
Will hit the sack now.

Just a quick lifesign... Internet connections comes at a premium, particular a fast one and I havent seen PC with USB ports for ages...
 
Anyway, I am in Purmamarca, Argentina
Enlace:
 
at the moment. Had a good run north from Mendoza where I changed the waterpump seals - for the second time... just to discover another leak today... Must be the shaft itself that needs replacement... feel kinda shafted...
 
Anyway, went to the Moon Valley, from there up the Route 40, passed through Santa Maria, where I met a German who has a micro-brewery and we were bottling up the latest batch of yummy Weizen Bier. Then to Cafayate, Salta and Cachi. This took me up to 4770m at one pass up the the Altiplano. Amazing scenery! Will post pictures a.s.a.p.
 
Today´s ride on Route 52 was one of the best roads I´ve ever ridden. God must ride motorbikes, too. Corners for 40kms non-stop and no traffic, all on brand new tarmac... Might go up there again tomorrow.
 
From here on I will head further north towards Bolivia.
 
Better dash...

Did a nice day ride to the Argentinian-Chile border crossing on Friday to catch some corners after the boring straight 1000km from B.A. to Mendoza. Very nice. Went up to 3800m altitude. God, that feels weired - you are breezing but you are still out of breath. But definitely worth the view. Had the highest mountain of South America - the Aconcagua - just in front of me...
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconcagua
 
Unfortunately, on Saturday I discovered that my waterpump is leaking - AGAIN!!! So I am planning to go to Santiago, Chile today since there is the nearest BMW dealer to get it fixed properly.
 
Only 3 more weeks left for my trip. Cant believe that this adventure is now almost over... Its now a decision between packing up now and going home or fixing this thing and have at least 2 more weeks of biking. Easy decision, right?
 
Will keep you posted...

Here some shots from Colonia, Uruguay. Very nice place, definitely have to come back. Full of history:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_del_Sacramento
 
 

Got my stunt double to ride my bike through B.A. traffic. Dont watch if you dont like bikes, or traffic, or get scared easily...
 

 
and here is Willie´s ride to work:
 

Me rollin again - this time through Uruguay. Nice little country, very relaxed people. Great beaches, that is for sure. And heaps of old building from the colonial times...
 
Now in Montevideo heading back to Argentina. Will either cath the ferry at colonia or do the big detour again.
 
Photos to follow.

Buenos Aires probably wouldn't have been the same without the surprise visit of Dilini, even though it was just for a week. We had a great time exploring the different parts of town, so we went to Palermo, La Boca, San Telmo and the city centre. Weather was mostly pleasant, other than yesterday where we got caught in a massive downpour and got saved by a small dude with a huge umbrella. We also tried to get a good taste of what Argentina's cuisine got to offer - and there is meet, a lot of meet and CHEESE! Now we are both a wee bit over it and are looking forward to some sushi or a yummy curry.