Lake Titicaca
Trip Start
Mar 28, 2008
1
21
98
Trip End
Mar 27, 2009
Puno,
Peru
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Today we went on a two day excursion to Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the largest high altitude body of water at 8,500 square kilometres. We first visited the families who lived on islands made of reeds, they showed us how they make the islands which was fascinating. On each island, 5 or 6 families live - we tried the local speciality of reed which they live on and which tastes of nothing. We then had a ride on a reed boat and Julie tried to help row - we went around in a circle almost! It is very fascinating to see how they live.
Tourism is quickly becoming a large source of their income - as we left they sang us three songs, one of which was twinkle twinkle little star! At the very end they said Hasta La Vista Baby! Quite amusing!
We then headed off to Amantani Island, the closest one can get to heaven! This is where we spent the night and were greeted by our adopted sister called Banesa - she took us on a hike to her house, which was still under construction!
The toilets on the island are outside - there is a bucket of water outside which you put down the toilet once done - yuck!
We were abit dubious to begin with because we did not speak Spanish or Quechua (their native language) but we managed. We had lunch in the kitchen which was very different - it comprised of one potato, fried cheese, sweetcorn (which made Julie bend her fork - she felt slightly guilty because they only have 4 sets!) and some more funny looking potatoes. Did you know there are over 3,000 different varieties of potatoes!!!
We were abit worried at this point because we thought we might starve! We then went to a football match where the locals play the tourists.
A reed island - so cool!
At this high altitude, all the men were struggling. We then went to see another sunset up a very steep hill. Again it was worth the effort, the views were spectacular - very hard to believe it is a lake. When we came down we had dinner and this was sooo nice! At the evening meal we gave them our gifts to thank them for letting us stay - this comprised of rice, pasta, sugar, bananas and colouring book and pencils for the children.
The evenings entertainment was dressing the tourists up in traditional dress and then going to the local disco of pan pipes. This was alot of fun but the songs went on forever and it was very knackering! The skirts were tied just under the bust and were pulled VERY tight - we could not actually breath in them! Your family had to dance with you and they looked very bored. We think they do this every night but this is a very good source of income for them.
We decided to show them some of our dances which included the Can Can, ring o ring a roses and Irish dancing! We also started the Conga which Julie some how managed to lead!! She had only had one bottle of beer, honest!
Friday
Breakfast the next day was pancakes - yum yum. They left us a bowl of water in the yard to get washed and brush our teeth in. We then said bye to our adopted family and headed off to Taquile Island. The lake in the morning is very rough and we forgot our Kwells - oh dear Julie was very green!
On Taquile Island the dress is completely different to the other islands and men wear different hats depending on their status i.e. single, married or superior figure. We quite like this idea!
We then had lunch at 11.30am - Julie could not eat as she was still green but Claire had the best trout ever, straight from the lake! After lunch we went to the beach, Julie had a paddle with her woolly hat on - very amusing!
We then made the three hour boat ride back to Puno.
