Lake Titicaca, Puno and the Uros Islands
Trip Start
Jun 01, 2008
1
16
22
Trip End
Jul 27, 2008
Puno,
Peru
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The trip was pretty amazing. We´ ve climbed in alitude from Cusco and now sit at around 3800m which makes for a bit of trouble breathing if pushed. Alot of the trip was across the ´high plain' or altiplano so not many trees or vegetation. Another 7 hour bus trip with one 10 minute toilet stop which we're getting pretty used to now.
Puno itself is one of the main port towns which services Lake Titicaca and it's islands. We lobbed in to the hotel (which is very nice) in the evening and promptly found the Rock & Reggae Bar with a couple of others from the group (Mick and Laura). All good fun! The city centre is nice, again the town has a lovely Plaza which is the focal point for the locals. Little did we know that this would certainly be the focal point for the up and coming civil action (strike) which was planned for the next couple of days!
Pam got sick (we've both had quite a number of bugs along the journey) so we couldn't make the planned overnight trip to the Uros (floating reed) islands and Amantani Island. We waved the others goodbye instead and camped out in the hotel. Actually it wasn't too bad. The others came back and said Amantani was full of touristas and the home stay visit was interesting but not a trip highlight.
We did manage to get out to the reed islands the next day on our own and that was awesome. There are over 40 islands in the group, each occupied by a different family group. The people were beautiful and friendly and we found out heaps about their way of life.
That night we heard the strike in action! Lots of voices, protesters, rocks thrown onto the street to prevent traffic movement as well as bottles smashed. Still, we were pleased that it didn´t affect our travels as apparently it did for some other groups. Pam recovered well and is bouncing again. (Heather S, thank the good lord for your travel kit because it's been well and truly used!!).
This is our last stop in Peru. Now it's upward and onward to Bolivia which sounds interesting. Apparently it's a bit cheaper than Peru which is good. La Paz is also the finish of this tour with this group which is a bit sad. We've made really good friends with Laura, Mick, Simon and Kenny and it'll be sad to say goodbye. BUT on we go!
Hope the blog isn't getting too boring. We're still having a ball and are quite relaxed which is amazing after travelling for nearly 6 weeks.
Cheers for now
nic & Pam
