Uros floating islands

We had an 0845 pickup Due to a misunderstanding, our breakfast wasn’t ready when we turned up. Anyway, it got prepared and we were ready when the taxi pickup arrived.

Kim felt a bit breathless today even though we had been at relatively high altitude at Cusco for a while already. We took it easy and walked around before waiting on the boat which eventuallyset off around 0930.

The ride took about 20 minutes to Uros floating islands. We were taught the local greeting and response along with some history. Lake Titicaca is pronounced as Titihaha by the locals. And the locals resorted to island living when the Incas encroached into their area.

Once we got into the Uros area, it was quite an awesome sight. It was something out of National Geographic if you could ignore the other tour boats.

Different islets, each having a few homes, take turn to host visitors. We sat down on a large bundle of reeds formed into a “log” and listened to an explanation of how the islands are formed:

• First natural floating clumps of reeds are secured together using stake and rope. They are cut to size/shape if necessary.
• Copious amounts of fresh reeds are then put on top of the ensemble to form a surface which they can be built on after the reeds dry up.
• The island that is formed is also anchored.

The islanders had some nice craftwork, largely embroidery, for sale. Out of first world guilt, we bought a tapestry which we really liked. We really wanted to support them for showing us their home and make it worthwhile for them to retain their tradition.

The group from Lima hopped into a reed boat for a ride. We didn’t have enough soles to do likewise, so we waited around. We learnt that the reed boats are no longer solid reeds They base is made up of empty bottles then shrouded with reeds. Good recycling!  And the new mode of construction lasts longer too.

When they returned, we went in our motorised boat to the busy “capital” where there were shops, eateries etc, all constructed on a larger floating island. This was less meaningful to us and after climbing up the watch tower, we returned and awaited the others.

It was a lengthy wait as they had opted to eat there rather than on the mainland. We eventually made it back to Puno around 1230.

We changed some money back in the town centre so we could get some lunch. We both needed a rest in the afternoon. I felt tired with a neckache while Kim was a bit breathless. Relatively small increases in altitude can still annoy the body even though we had time to acclimatise.

We returned to last night’s restaurant again. Their trout was too good and we had one each instead of a usual practice of two separate meals, swapped halfway.