Lake Titicaca

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Well, I know our last entry was short on detail, will try to tell you more over the next few days. Still feeling the pain from Camino Inka, we made our way to Puno on the Lake for an overnight stopover with local families on Amantani island. It was like going back in time, to maybe what the Aran islands were like 100 plus years ago. The local families greet you at the port in traditional dress. In our case we had a breathless (yet again) 20 minte walk up the hill though famland, passing Papa Antonia hand ploughing the field. The Mama of our house reminded me (S) a bit of Peig! The family - well 15 year old daughter who was really our hostess while we were there, looked after our meals. They were very basic of rice, potatoes, a bit of veg and cheese, with soups served beforehand. While it doesn´t sound like much, it was really tasty. You appreciate it all the more when it´s cooked on a tiny corner stove, no running water directly into the kitchen, kettle contactly on the go. Suited me as I have been ill for the last few days with a kind of Machu Picchu revenge or something. Recovering now though.

We did yet more climbing! to the top of the island (patch mama - site to the mother godess) to see a spectacular sunset, only to be caught in the most fanstastic thunderstorm you've ever seen. The lake was lit up every few seconds as we rushed back down for the most welcome hot chocolote ever.

Later we dressed up in the local costumes which was a sight for sore eyes. We were brought to a village hall and where the local boy band was playing the Andean pipe music. The locals, mostly women ( the men are in Lima working in tapestry making) asked us to dance and generally we had a bit of a laugh looking silly.

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Photos

puno
we stay in puno, on the shores of the lake

the floating islands
our first stop on our journey is to the floating island, all made from reeds, many people live on them

huts on the floating islands
contain everything you need, even solar-powered TV

invited in
we are invited into one on the homes. quite cosy

floating island inhabitants
local inhabitants selling their wares

entertainment
entertained by the local children who knew songs in many languages (none in irish though...wanted our money back)

our home for the night
visited the island of amantani where we would be staying with local families for the night

our new mother
we are finally adopted by this bean an ti - Louisa

susan becomes a native
being assisted into local dress by the daughter of the house - Marie Elaine

every day is market day
the following day we visit another island Taquile, this is the local market