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Published: March 4th 2006
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Uros, the floating islands
This is one of the "villagers houses"!! Alright people, Rich here. Thought I would have a go at writing a blog, Zoe is doing the grammar and spelling though!
Left Cusco and said goodbye to Meg and Den (Aussie mates), so its us two alone for a while! Got the bus to Puno which was alright but nothing much to do really. Got a nice room with cable TV which made up for it, so we just ate and watched loads of good films,and a bit of football when I was allowed! The main reason we went to Puno was to visit the floating islands, which where amazing. They are just built out of reeds which you can also eat and clean your teeth with, as they have calcium in them! So I havent brushed for weeks!! Hehe! Bit of a tourist scam though as we dont think people actually live there now as they have nice houses on concrete stilts hidden behind the island, and they just come for the tourists, but we´re gullible enough to swallow it!! Then did a little trip to Amantani, a small natural island a few hours away. Met another nice Aussie couple (meeting up with the girl again in Santiago and
The fiesta on Amatani
Can you tell which ones are us two? Blend in well dont we!! the lad in Melbourne) and an English woman who worked in Freckleton as a GP about forty years ago (for all those people in blackpool who know where im on about!its a small world!!). Then we were met by our host family and had to trek up this massive hill to there house that was pretty basic with no electricity and a hole for a toilet. Really nice famly though made us feel really welcome; especially got on with the little baby Rubeth, probably because we both had the same level of Spanish!! She had never seen a torch either so went mad with our Maglites!!! So sweet!!! She was like the south american version of Boo from Monsters Inc. Had some grub at theirs, pretty basic for us but quite lavish for them. Then had a walk up the mountain in the centre of the island, hard going but amaing views once we got up there! That night there was the fiesta in the hall, which they put on for all the tourists. We had to get all dressed up in traditional costumes (poncho and hat for the boys and proper dress for the girls!!). As you will see
Our lovely host family
Crispollo, Celia and Rubeth in the photos we looked the part!! Fiesta was really good fun. Excellent music and loads of dancing! The daughter of our family really went for it, but that may have been because I bought her a beer, which I think made her a little tipsy! Hehe! Her dad didnt look too pleased and took the bottle off her!!
The next day we were up early and got the boat to the next island, Taquile. Had a walk up the isalnd to the top and bought my first bit of jewellery - I think I wear more now than Zoe (oh dear sad traveller already!). Great views over Lake Titicaca to Bolivia! Spent a couple more days in Puno and by then had had enough and decided to go to Copacobana(Bolivia).
Copa is a tiny town similar to Pucasana with amazing views of the lake. Climbed up a hill following the Stations of the Cross which is a popular Bolivian pilgrimage, although at the top they sell miniature versions of things you can wish for (like a car or house - very bizarre)!! Took a day trip to Isla del Sol - one of the original inca sights. Walked 11
km from one end to the other only to find that the boat home had gone without us!! Luckily some other English tourists had chartered a private boat and we managed to blag a lift with them (thank god!!) and one of them had gone to school at Carr Hill in Kirkham(even smaller world!!).
From Copa we came to La Paz. When you first come into the city you have an amazing view as its like a massive basin, with a huge city plopped in the middle! Horrible to be back in a city though as it is far too busy! Spent a few days exploring here...saw a cool exhibition at the museum of contemporary art, and had a look at the museum of musical instruments (keeping Zoe happy!!). Heading off to the jungle tomorrow to go all Ray Mears and learn some survival skills (catching anacondas, fishing for paranha, just the usual!). Then going to do a whistle stop tour of Bolivia before moving on (not planned where yet but we like Bolivia as it is even cheaper than Peru and just as beautiful).
Hope your all cool and speak again in a couple of weeks
Rich and
View from the Inca ruins on Isla del Sol
Rich kept hitting his head on the really low ceilings! Zoe xxx
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Mark
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Wishing
Sounds like you are having a swell time! Great blog! By the way, ive always wanted a real fire engine. do they sell those?