Lake Titicaca

Uros Floating Islands

Mike, Ash, Ali, and Chris on the boat dock

Our trip to Lake Titicaca was our last big weekend trip. We left Cusco Friday night with two friends Chris and Ali on another freezing bus, and got to Puno at 6:30 in the morning where we waited briefly to board our boat. The small white boat had 15-20 bus like seats inside of it and also a small roof with benches which is where we spent most of our time. Our first stop in the lake was at floating Islands called Uros. When we docked and hopped off the boat I was pretty shocked. The island was made completely of Reeds and because of this, the ground felt as though walking on a pile of hay. Long ago, locals built the islands originally out of rafts to get away from civilization, but as time passed they started building on top of the small rafts and now there are tons of small islands that they constantly have to work on so that they don't sink. After the floating islands we hopped back on the boat and went to Amantani island where we met a family that we would be staying with. First thing we did when we got there was walk down to the water where Chris decided to take a dip in the freezing water. I would have jumped in but I didn't have a swimsuit.. and It was freezing.

What a view!

Enjoying the Sunset

After lunch, we met in the main plaza of the island and started a short hike up to the highest point of the island where there were ruins made to Mother and Father earth. We waited up there to watch the sunset, and when it finally happened, it was breathtaking. The lit Sky sitting above all the mountains and the deep blue water was incredible. We didn't want it to end, but eventually we had to head back down to the town where there is no lighting. Because of this, we could see every star in the sky. We headed back to the house where we were staying and ate in a tiny adobe kitchen with dirt floor and a clay oven to cook in. After dinner we were all exhausted and ready for bed and all went to our room. Shortly after though, Mary Luz one of our hosts came in with traditional Peruvian attire and told us to dress up. Turns out we were going to a party where a band played local music and everyone danced. It was a ton of fun and really was an awesome experience because we were integrated into the local culture. After the dance we all were really exhausted and We all crashed.

Dancing it up, Peruvian style

One of the incredible arches on Taquille Island

In the morning we woke up to our host family bringing us breakfast in bed. We were all so grateful and shocked that they did it for us, plus the pancakes they made for us were amazing. Afterwards we headed down to the lake and hopped on the boat that took us to a nearby island called Tequile. We docked on the back of the island and Hiked around to the other side to a small town. The whole island was terraced and the town, like the other island, didn't have any lighting. We waited in the plaza for a while and then explored on our own, away from our tour guide. first we hiked up to an arch that we saw and found out that it was an outdoor chapel. The side walls were about 4 feet tall and there was no rough. Afterwards I headed back to the plaza because it was time for lunch, but Chris and Ashlee hiked up a little further. At lunch we had trout from the lake which might have been some of the best trout I have ever had, and they explained to us that the local men where red and white hats that show that they are single and depending on how they wear it, it shows their age, and when they get married they get a new fully red hat that they wear. After lunch we hiked back to the boat where we took a 3 or 4 hour boat ride back to Puno. on the ride back we sat on the top and enjoyed the blue skys and incredible view.

The Yavari

Upon arrival to Puno we decided to go visit an old ship called the Yavari that has been fixed up. Peru bought the boat from england and when it finally arrived in peru, it took 4 years for men to carry all the pieces through the andes mountains up to Lake Titicaca. The ship ran on Llama dung because fuel was too expensive and at one point the ship was used by the military. After our visit to the Yavari we burned some time at a local restaurant playing cards until our fancy bus was ready to go. Lake Titicaca was an incredible experience. If I had more time to explore the lake I would. In some part of the lake, it is so big that you can't see the other side. Truly a natural wonder.