Lake Titikaka is one of those special places. It's a HUGE lake shared between Peru and Bolivia - the floating islands of Uros and Taquile Is are both on the Peruvian side. Our trip visited both these areas - the floating islands are not far from Puno, but Taquile Is is some distance.
Tourism is their main source of income. There are so many boats making these trips and the island people are well prepared for visitors. Boats visit different islands in the Uros group - we were met by the family, treated to an explanation of how the islands are built and how they live and trade, before being invited to look around their small island and into their homes. One man (can't remember his name ... only his son's name - Frank) invited us into his one room home - half of it was taken up with a bed. He explained that the house is small because it is easier to warm a small room.
Meanwhile the women are outside with their handicrafts are spread out for sale. Earlier they asked us not to give their children money as it sets up a bad precedent where they will expect it in future - best way to help is to buy some of their handicrafts. We did.
We also took a ride in one of their reed boats ... to another island. Boats last for 2 years .. and interestingly they contain 2000 plastic soft drink bottles to give the flotation. Great recycling...
Next on to Taquille island ... brisk uphill walk to our lunch venue. Long tables were set up near a group of family homes ... not in the township. We were treated to loacl music dancing ... some of the group even got to join in the dancing - not bad at altitude (says Jill), before a lunch of quinoua soup followed by grilled trout, rice and papas fritas. DELICIOUS.
Then up to the top of the village .... more steep uphill, and only a short time to look around and make some purchases. Suffice to say here, Peruvians are extremely reluctant to take American dollars which have even the slightest rip, tear or mark!!!
Long boat ride home ...and the wind and swell made it even longer, I think.
Back to Cusco today.....
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