This morning was a moderate morning in that our pick up was moved to 8:00 versus 7:00 a.m. Time for another European style continental breakfast. Today all those we've been traveling with plus a group that started here and is going to Cusco tomorrow joined for a total of 40. Our guide had his hands full trying to get us into a van blocking the street and horns blaring everywhere.
A short drive through crazy narrow busy streets to the marina where we unloaded and waited for all the shuttle buses. Then off to our boat at the end of the pier. After loading we quickly left the dock for the lake. Not as big as the great lakes, but way bigger than I expected. Lake Titicaca straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia (we could see the shoreline later in the day). It is the second largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lakes in the world at 11,400 feet. This area is said to be the birthplace of the Incas.
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| Map on the boat that helps understand the size |
Our first stop was about an hour boat ride to one of the floating islands made from reeds. The Totora reed is used in building an island and takes up to a year for 20 people to build. The inhabitants are native and developed this type of living when the Incas were taking power. The hid on the lake in reed boats and eventually developed the island concept. Shelf sufficient for a long time, now they have jobs in Puno and do not pay taxes. So while a hard life style like off grid, not poverty.
We unloaded and sat around the center of the island for a lesson from the locals how they make, and live on the island. Then we toured their huts and ended with a reed boat ride. While like the Amish they stick to tradition, they have integrated some luxuries like solar power and propane for cooking versus wood fire. Over 25 years ago there were about 4k Uros, but now there are only about 2k. An extended family lives on the island and the one we visited had 22 residents. They elect an island president every year, so interesting culture.
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| You only have to do down a few inches and the reeds are saturated with water. The base is like peat in Scotland and about three feet thick and floats. They replace during the rainy season the top with new every day. Extra layer below their huts to help keep moisture out. They only live to around 60 and have Arthritis by 30. |
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| An example of the material underneath, which is the root system of the reeds they harvest during certain seasons. They always cut the reeds green and dry them before using on the island |
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| They can carry an old style flint lock without permit for hunting |
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| Two ladies demonstrated the bartering process with fish, beans, clothing, etc. |
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| Visited inside of hut that had a bed for maybe two and four sleeps here. Two teens and parents. Nothing much of anything else inside. Janie found one with more clothing just laying in piles. No furniture outside of the bed. |
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| View from inside. I could not stand up inside |
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| Extra reeds under the hut |
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| Viewing platform and yes it was shaky |
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| View from a tower for viewing |
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| Inside communal kitchen; only one for the whole island |
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| Kitchen Hut |
There was a metal sided outhouse on the reeds that is used with plumbing being hole in the reeds to the lake.
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| Reed boats they built and use for getting around. Some islands are now fashioning catamaran style, but they do have John Boats with outboards |
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| Loaded up and heading out |
After we departed the Island we head to a real rock island the largest in the lake. About an 1.5 hour boat ride where Incas still live. About 2k of them with 33 B&B that we were told are sold out from July through November. At the island we had a pretty steep climb to an area where we saw a native dance and some tourist participated. Then shopping the items on display and watching a couple of ladies weaving. They did not look comfortable at all on their knees bent over the loom.
We walk across some of the island that is 6km long to a restaurant. Would have never expected, but its part of the business model with all the B&B. We had Quinoa soup with chips and a type of salsa. Then trout from the lake, which was introduced from Canada. A tea was served afterwards. They drink a lot of tea and the Coco version is supposed to help with altitude and stomach issues.
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| Restaurant |
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| Trout |
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| Seating arrangement |
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| Approach to restaurant |
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| Dance Demo |
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| Makes my back hurt watching |
After lunch and a lot of photos we headed back to the boat, which had moved to the very south end of the island. Is was a beautiful walk and we came across a few of the locals. These people live off the land for the most part with trout fishing, farming and making items to sell or barter. They serve the visitors with a smile and so glad you are here attitude.
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| Clear waters |
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| Boat at pick up |
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| View as we descended from the top of the island; you can see their farming layout. There is a beach as well where they do swim for bathing in water that is about 40 degrees. |
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| During the summer when the lake level is down they plant beans along the shoreline and are now using green houses to grow tomatoes and other vegetables adding to their Quinoa, Potatoes, Fish diet. |
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| This little girls mom as spinning thread and selling items. She ran up and hugged everyone. |
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| Trout farms in the lake |
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| Let us know which picture to submit. I like this one and Janie likes the other one |
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Lotawana Newspaper for our submittal picture
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A 1.5 hour boat ride back was a time for quick naps, getting tour updates from our guides as some go onto Cusco and others fly out tomorrow for Lima. Lots of great views and a sunset ride into the harbor and pier. Pile into vans and off to the hotel.
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| Coming into port |
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| This hotel looks like a cruise ship that was stranded |
After an hour of settling we ventured out to the pizza place some others had tried. We have a Alpaca pizza and a sausage pizza. The Alpaca was probably more like lamb but not quite as rich. The sausage was more like you think Italian hard salami would be. Very unique cheese and crust that was pretty good.
Then we ventured to find the bakery for desert and back to the room to close out the Puno portion of our trip. Tomorrow we leave at 11:00 for the airport in Juliaca which is about an hour drive. Then flight to Lima for our last night in Peru.
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