Another southbound journey... another Cruz del Sur bus... and we had arrived in Puno where South America´s largest lake resided - Titicaca. This port town was the least elegant of places we had visited in Peru so far, but it was a natural stopover to get to Bolivia and an ideal base to visit Titicaca´s
islands... which is exactly what we did the following morning.A 30 minute cruise along the calm waters of the world´s highest navigable lake brought us to the Floating Islands of Uros. Home to a large community of indigenous folk, the Uros people relied completely on the bouyant Tortora reeds (that grew 
abundantly in the lake) for their survival. These multipurpose reeds were used to contruct the base of their islands, to build their thatched-roof huts, to weave handicrafts to sell, and finally as a source of food - upon arriving on these springy islands, we were greeted
by a family who explained their rituals and habits...unique, self-reliant and remarkable people. Thereafter, we took to the sparkling waters again on board an oared, reed-woven long boat before docking back onto mainland. A short taxi ride to the Puma Uta mirador followed, where we could appreciate views of Lake Titicaca and it´s islands from a staggering height. And our short stay in Puno was completed as we prepared for our overground border crossing into Bolivia.
abundantly in the lake) for their survival. These multipurpose reeds were used to contruct the base of their islands, to build their thatched-roof huts, to weave handicrafts to sell, and finally as a source of food - upon arriving on these springy islands, we were greeted
by a family who explained their rituals and habits...unique, self-reliant and remarkable people. Thereafter, we took to the sparkling waters again on board an oared, reed-woven long boat before docking back onto mainland. A short taxi ride to the Puma Uta mirador followed, where we could appreciate views of Lake Titicaca and it´s islands from a staggering height. And our short stay in Puno was completed as we prepared for our overground border crossing into Bolivia.
1 comment:
Drifting down Lake Titicaca in an oar-driven, reed-woven boat....
Wow - you both must have felt a million miles away from the stress and the hassle of London city...
Wish I could have been there!
Post a Comment