On January 28 we got up bright and early for our boat ride on Lake Titicaca to visit the floating islands made by the Uru people and Tequile Island, the largest island on the lake (on the Peru side).
Lake Titicaca is shared with Peru and Bolivia. 60% of the lake is on the Peru side and it is known as the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters above sea level. It is also the largest lake (by volume) in South America. It was the one day I forgot to put sunblock on and boy, did I get sunburnt. Altitude sickness + sunburn = unhappy Christine.
We then got back on our boat to travel 2+ hours to Tequile Island.
Lake Titicaca is shared with Peru and Bolivia. 60% of the lake is on the Peru side and it is known as the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters above sea level. It is also the largest lake (by volume) in South America. It was the one day I forgot to put sunblock on and boy, did I get sunburnt. Altitude sickness + sunburn = unhappy Christine.
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| Check out the map of Lake Titicaca - upside down, you can see that the lake is shaped like a puma! |
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| Puno lighthouse |
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| Walking to our boat |
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| On the roof of the boat enjoying the view of the lake |
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| Pretty reflections |
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| There are about 40-50 of these floating islands on the lake |
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| Each island is made by the Uros (pre-Incan people) using totora reeds |
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| We get to visit one of these islands |
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| Here we are on Cantahway (unsure of spelling) Island |
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| Paul is excited! |
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| I am too! |
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| This is Raul - he is 35 years old and the president of this island. |
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| He shows us how they build the islands |
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| Here's a small model of a floating island |
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| We get to try some totora reeds; we were warned not to take a big bite since our stomachs aren't used to it. |
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| I took a small bite and no problem! Paul didn't even want to risk it. |
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| Raul is getting the boat ready for us |
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| The islands last 20-25 years and take about 1 year to build |
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| 5 families live on this island - about 22 people |
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| Raul with some of the ladies of the island |
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| It's hard for Paul to fit in these houses |
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| We are invited into a house |
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| This home fits 5 people - equipped with a hula hoop! My mom would be impressed. |
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| And every house of course, needs a TV |
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| She let me try on some traditional clothes |
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| Can you tell it was a little cold? |
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| We got to ride on this boat also made from totora reeds |
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| Life size and model sized |
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| The kids liked the boat we came on |
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| They also were ready to attack some birds |
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| Boys will be boys |
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| Hanging out on a small boat |
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| On the traditional boat as the ladies sing and wave good-bye to us. They even said, "Hasta la vista, baby!" |
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| Another boat behind us |
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| The kids joined us on our ride |
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| Raul is rowing |
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| It looks hard. |
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| The kids enjoyed messing with Paul |
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| We stopped at another island for some shopping, tea and puppies! |
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| Along the way we saw a few islands |
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| We arrived on Tequile Island |
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| Looking towards Bolivia - too bad we couldn't visit Bolivia too |
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| Locals - these specific hats and pouches signify they are married |
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| We have some steep hills to climb |
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| Passing by some sheep |
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| Doesn't capture the steepness |
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| We are a bit behind the rest of the group. It was steep and the altitude was not helping me. |
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| I don't mind falling behind since I got to take more photos |
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| We made it to the main square |
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| Of this list, we were in Tokio, Sidney, NuevaDelhi, and Lhasa! |
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| Panoramic from the main square |
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| Only 6,702 kilometers to Nueva York... |
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| The houses look pretty cool |
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| Alley way |
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| Local girl giving me the stink eye |
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| More local married men |
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| Hanging out |
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| Walking towards the restaurant for lunch |
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| Traditional garb and hat for a married man |
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| Walking to the other side of the island to catch our boat back to Puno |
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| It was really pretty here! |
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| Making bricks |
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| Walking down the hill was a little easier than walking up |
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| It's hard to get lost here |
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| Looking back at the path we walked |
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| The water is so clear here |
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| Back on the boat. |
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| Looking back at Tequile Island |
