Arrived at Puno bus terminal and organised accommodation near the Plaza de Armes, which are close to the shops,banks, restaurants etc.Took a walk around the area and up the Plaza where this cathedral is situated.
Back at the hostel was offered two excursions foe 50 US $, one being a day trip to Uros, the floating islands and Taquila island and an afternoon trip to Sillustani featuring funeral towers of the ancient Colla tribe.Told him I want to check prices first on internet before deciding.I checked some tours with the average running at about 40 $ for the day trip.Ok so two tours for 50 US$ not that bad. Then while I was checking my email, a knock on my door and there he was, saying "For you only, 35 3US$" No discussion was necessary.
Departed for Uros at 7.15 am Sunday morning.Freezing cold.Got to the harbour and a short confusing moment about which boat is ours, we embarked and cruised towards Uros at a breathtaking speed which must have been max 15 km per hour. Not sure what that would be in knots. Later realised why this excursion is a day long one - we spend about 6 hours on the boat! Looking at water and land.Anyway, finally arrived at the floating islands and what an insightful visit. Everything centres around the reeds that grow here.Initially the reeds were used to build house boats to get away from the Spanish influence. A whole family would live on the boat and subsist on fish and reeds. Later the idea of building an island from reeds took shape and a number of islands were created. Typically, an island would consist of about 5 families.
The actual reeds.
A reed boat.You can see from the amount of people on this boat that a family of five could comfortably have existed on such a boat.
An island with dwellings in the background.
A typical dwelling
Explaining the construction of a floating island. The brown blocks you see are the roots of the reeds and floats in the water.From the bottom of the roots to the tip of the reeds, the length is an average of two metres. The root blocks are tied together with wooden pegs and rope and once an area had been established, layers of reed are laid in a criss cross fashion on top of the blocks (the reeds get replaced every weekend). In order for the island not to drift, it is anchored by stakes to the bottom of the lake.
The other type of reed boat in use for conveying goods.
The oven used on the floating island for cooking.Fire is made from dried out reeds.
So they got even more clever and started fish breeding on their islands. A typical breeding hatch behind the woman and on right typical fish being bred.A case of scooping up something for lunch or dinner.
Ah! and a picture of me on a reed boat.
After that we left on a two hour boat journey to an island called Taquila (not tequila to my regret). Again caught a s a tourist - a boring journey there and then a kilometer climb at what must have been at a 45 degree incline. After recovering our breath and composure, we went to a local restaurant on the plaza.
The whole idea of this excursion was to show us another culture around Peru, originating hundreds of years ago. Too short - any would be traveller there, do an overnight stay there with one of the local families to get an idea of why you are there!We spent about an hour and a half there, descended to the harbour via another route consisting just over 500 steps and again at about a 45 degrees incline.And then another boring trip back to Puno
However,here are some photos of the little tourist muggers.
and one of my girlfriend on the corner.
Buenos Noche
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