So we went to Lake Titicaca (careful how you pronounce that!). I think the first time I heard of this lake was while being coerced into watching some national geographic program on the ABC by my father at the age of 10.
Well, David Attenborough wasnt there - but we met plenty of nice people (travellers and locals) which made the experience of floating on the world¨s highest, navigable lake all the more exciting.
Click below to read on......
We were picked up from our hotel by mini-van (and when I say mini, I mean mini) and taken to the port in Puno to board our tour boat which was to take us to the floating islands and then to some other islands 3 hours away to spend the night.
As soon as we boarded the boat we segregated ourselves into the oldies and youngies. We spent most of our time with Bianca (Canada), Ian and Ryan (South Africa), Martin (Peru) and Chris (good ole U.S. of A). They were an interesting bunch of people and we spent a lot of the travelling time talking about all things from crappy movies to Iraq and the War.
Our first stop were the floating islands about 30 minutes off-shore. These are incredible! They are actual islands which are made by reeds! Houses, schools, churches, satellite dishes (yes, satellite dishes) all stand on these islands. Its like some time-warped place (except for the satellite dishes)! The highlight for me was visiting this Adventist school on the floating islands. The classroom consisted of a school teacher and 2 little students. When the teacher saw us he asked the 2 students to perform some sunday school songs they learned and he was so proud! It was such a special and moving moment!
From there we spent 3 hours moving across Lake Titicaca (12 km per hour). The life jackets came on as we approached the coast guard and then they came off again. When we arrived at our isalnd - we were met by the colourful and obliging locals who were keenly awaiting one of their only sources of income (tourists to stay the night with them). We were showed to our family (a father, mother and daughter) and taken to where we would sleep. Our beds had the best views ever and we couldnt believe how comfortable they were making things for us.
Staying with this family sort of reminded me of my own family. Me, my mum and dad. Except the main difference is that we do not live in the poverty that these people did. Their house was basic, their food was basic (potatoes, potatoes and more potatoes) and their desires were basic (enough money to make ends meet). I really wonder how much money the tour company gives these people on behalf of the tourists. That night our family dressed us up in local clothes so we could hit the discoteque! The disco was in the high school gymnasium and the dancing was not nearly as provocative as in the big city! It was really fun, simple dancing in a circle - a bit like the hokey pokey really!
The walk up to the pacchymama temple at sunset was memorable too! It was a tough walk due to the altitude but fully worth it. We could even see some of the mountains in the Bolivian side of the border. The natural beauty of the islands was amazing!
It was freezing cold at night and the toilet facilities at the house were very very difficult to manage - but we survived the night quite comfortably actually. I loved being out there and loved seeing the locals as they normally dress and interact with each other.
We took some more walks the next day and generally just had some group bonding over nice food and great scenery!
Posted by Tanya at May 27, 2005 11:05 PM