Lake Titicaca - Day 1

We left the Port of Puno with 4 other folks on slow diesel with 24 seats. What could have been a sardine cruise was more lux than we expected or paid for. It even had a bathroom! So much better then the open deck boat that Patti and I spent a few nights on as we floated the Nile years ago.

In 20 quick minutes we arrived at our first stop, Uros. Uros is a collection of 87 islands the are roughly 1000 square feet apiece made from bog and reeds. Once constructed these islands are perpetually sinking. About every two weeks another layer of reeds must be cut and laid to raise the level of the flotilla.

These people escaped the subjugation of the Inca by fleeing to the water and living in reed boats for a number of years before they created these islands against which the Inca were not able to wage effective assaults. To this day they live very primitive, but free lives. They pay no taxes and are free to fish the waters and hunt for fowl for their food but are prohibited to sell it commercially.

This is the communal kitchen and head chef. Each little floating island has a cooking area which is carefully designed to not burn and expedite the sinking of the bog.

As primitive as these peole are, I suppose primitive must be qualified. With the advent of solar energy collection and storage they do have some modern conveniences including lights for use at night. Here is the house for a family of four. There is as much walkable floor space in here as in our bathroom back home.  I have a new threat for Patti when she gets out of line, "remember the hut?!"

The bogs are unusually fertile and yeild some of the strangest crop. Those sharp of eye will see a Solarus Planticus Titicacatus growing right up next to this hut.

After Uros, we set out for Amantani where we would spend the night high up on a hillside in a sparse but cozy room with a view.

Patti and I were surprised at how we labored to climb from the small harbor up the hill. I guess living at about 6000 feet is still not like living at over 12500.  There was a young European couple with us that made us feel much better as they huffed and they puffed their way up the hill. Our 'Mama' in whose house we were staying, who could have been 60, was motoring up the hill taking no prisoners.

See what I mean?  She was all tough on the outside but very accommodating to us our entire stay. We had a late lunch prepared by our Mama and relaxed a bit before the evening activities.

Once again, keep an eye out for pics, they may be coming.

Posted via Blogaway