PERU 2025
Lake Titicaca
As mentioned already, Lake Titicaca is one of South America's largest lakes and the world’s highest navigable body of water.
Day 8
We had a quick breakfast in the hotel, and are ready for our 7:00 pickup. Today's local guide Lili comes to get us, and we walk out of our area. We all got pretty excited when we saw this row of rickshaw bikes lined up just for us, until we found out, they weren't here for us. Our bus to the docks was just around the corner, and in no time we were at the pier.
It's kind of funny getting on the boat, as you walk across three other boats to get to ours.
Our first stop is one of the Uros islands which are a group of man-made floating islands on Lake Titicaca. Constructed from totora reeds, these islands are inhabited by the Uros people, who are an indigenous people of Bolivia and Peru. They live on a still-growing group of about 20 self-fashioned floating islands in Lake Titicaca near Puno. The Uros have maintained a traditional way of life for centuries. The islands which are anchored to the lake-bed require constant maintenance as the reeds decompose, and a major side benefit, is that they don't pay any taxes.
We know we are getting closer when we see this guy in his colourful reed boat, self described as the islands Mercedes Benz.
We are greeted by the local ladies of isla flotante balsero ccapi uros titino, and invited to sit in a central area where the leader of the island describes the creation of the island, and upkeep of their daily lives floating around Lake Titicaca.
Much of the Uros diet and medicine also revolves around the same totora reeds used to construct their islands. When the reed is pulled, the white core is often eaten. Just as the Andean peoples of Peru rely on coca leaves for relief from the harsh climate and hunger, the Uros rely on totora reeds in the same way. When they are in pain, they wrap the reed around the affected area to absorb the pain. Additionally, if it is hot outside, they roll the white part of the reed in their hand, split it open, and place it on their forehead. At this stage, it is very cool to the touch. The white part of the reed is also used to help relieve hangovers caused by alcohol. It is a primary food source, and they also make a tea from the reed flower.
The production of traditional crafts is the most important activity for the inhabitants of the floating islands of the Uros. As we are being lectured on the history and traditions of the islands, the ladies are setting up displays of their wares. These crafts are sold on the islands and are primarily aimed at tourists. Our group is split up into small groups of 5 or 6, and assigned to one of the ladies to show them their "home", it is a bed in a grass hut. We are encouraged to purchase our first crafted items from the person who showed you their home. We may have bought a pillowcase from our assigned girl... she was very young.
Not totally sure about this bucket of ducks, but I'm guessing for eggs?
With the demonstrations and shopping completed, those that want to donate to the island, are invited to go for a little ride in the Mercedes Benz around the island, onto the lake and into the reeds.
Our chauffeur showed us how they cut the reeds, and peel and eat them, the duck was not impressed.
Our reed boat tour complete, we say our goodbyes, and are given a farewell song by the local ladies. If you look closely you'll notice a light fixture and a solar panel, apparently they still need to charge their cell phones.
AI was having trouble deciding if these people actually stay on these islands full-time, it told some people they didn't and were only there for the tourist aspect. But, it told me that they did live there... we may never know.
From the tiny floating island we are whisked away to the larger and non-floating island of Taquile. Taquile island is a completely different island from the Uros islands. Rock walkways and terraced hillsides, with stone houses and villas. The Blue waters and beach areas make you feel like you are in the Mediterranean.
It was a bit of a steep walk to the upper area of the island, and with the high altitude, it definitely made the hike more challenging. A slow and steady pace with frequent resting stops and we eventually reached the upper area where they had a surprise in store for us.
Along the way we learned the significance of the hats the men wore, red hats mean they are married, coloured hats mean they are leaders, red and white hats indicate they are single. Some of the men we saw may be wearing red and white hats for a while.
Once we reached the fairground like area near the peak of the island, we were told a little bit of history of the people here, and then given a dance presentation with live music.
The dance presentation suddenly turned into a dance participation, and a few of us brave souls joined in. Dancing at altitude can wear you out, but we all gave it our best effort, and everyone was laughing, especially those that watched us.
Apparently everything has to be carried on their backs, we didn't see any vehicles or escalators.
Our final destination on Taquile was lunch at Munay Cocha K'awana, a delicious fresh fish meal including soup and dessert, all while looking out over the lake on the owners beautifully manicured grounds.
The owner of the villa came by to thank us for coming, and allowed us to use the bathrooms with the best view in Cusco!
Our walk back was easier, as the boat came to other side of the island to get us, and it was all downhill. Along the way we learned all about the tests that have to be done to ensure a husband is worthy of his future bride. If he is successful, the brides Wedding dress is 35 layers, and she wears it for 1 week. I guess 1 week isn't bad, the men have to wear black pants from birth to death.
Of course you can't leave without having to go by some of the toughest sales people on the island.
The weather on the way back to Puno was very unsettled, we were so lucky to have an amazing day on Lake Titicaca.
Does anybody else see that dragon in the clouds?
When we are dropped back in Puno at our hotel, we were warned that there may be some trouble at the square, as the miners at the local illegal mines were having a civil strike. The square was packed with people, but it turns out it was not just strikers, they were having a parade. It looked like local schools each had a group playing music, dancing and decked out in colourful costumes.
Unknowingly, our Exoticca group all experienced the parade from different locations, Heather got some of the best pictures.
Meanwhile on the other side of the square, the mine workers from the local illegal mines, still donning their hardhats, are fighting for better pay, safer work environments, and less taxes.
Wanting to avoid these crowds, and not knowing how this protest might go, we wandered away from the mob looking for other sights.
The first of those sights was called La Casa del Corregidor, a historical monument dating back to 1668. Apparently now it's a colourful a restaurant and some shops.
From there we walked up behind the cathedral to an area called The Balconies.
I'm sure at one time they were very nice, the sketchy group of guys drinking at the top prevented us from going all the way up. Although the area is a little run down, we still got great views over the city from the lower balcony.
Having done enough failed exploring, we headed back and made arrangements to meet our group for a last group dinner. We were all catching different flights from Lima to different parts of Canada in the next few days.
The next morning would be yet another early pickup for the airport, for our return trip to Lima.