Lake Titicaca

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A ten hour journey from Cusco to Puno took us through The Andes, visiting more Inca sites on the way. We visited a lot of markets along the way and bought yet more bargains! In this area most of the buildings are unfinished to avoid building taxes due on completion of the house. It all looks very messy.

Our hotel in Puno was on the edge of lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,800metres, and we had our own jetty for the boat trip. The first stop was at the floating reed islands of the Uro Indians. The islands are made of cut reeds on a reed bed, feels like walking on a waterbed. They add a new layer of reeds every week and eventually the island becomes so heavy it starts to sink – so they just build another one. Two or three families live on each island, if they have a quarrel, they use a machete to split the island up (present tally 46 islands, it was 45 the day before we went)! For parties such as weddings, they push the islands together. We dressed in their traditional clothes and John was given the president’s bag. Tourism is the main part of their income and inevitably we felt obliged to buy some of their craftwork.

After a two hour boat ride we reached Taquile, an island famous for maintaining Inca traditions and the Quechua language. Dancing with the locals was obligatory!

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Photos

The new president and wife of San Miguel island
Try and catch us wearing this in Bushey!
Captions please?

Old lady
One solas (about 30p) for this photo - cheaper than a supermodel and she did have a dog as well.

The Woods at Raqchi Inca ruins
This was en-route to Puno

Pretty Andes view
On way to Puno

Andean high altitude market
This was the high point between Cusco and Puno (4,400 metres) and Suzanne was tempted to buy yet again.

Lake Titicaca 1
This shows the reeds used to make the floating islands

Lake Titicaca 2
San Miguel floating island

Lake Titicaca 3
Welcome committee from the Uro indians

Lake Titicaca 1
Reed boat which took us to the next island.

Lake Titicaca 5
The presidents wife - hence the posh hat.

Lake Titicaca 6
The ladies showing us how they haggle with each other at Puno market

Lake Titicaca 7
The reed island houses. One room for the whole family.

Suzanne on a reed boat
No life jackets needed!

Lake Titicaca 8
This shows how high the lake is - nearly in the clouds.

Lake Titicaca 9
Women weaving in Inca tradition on Taquile island

Lake Titicaca 10
The men knitted complex patterns while they walked around. The only concession to modern life was metal needles instead of bone.

Lake Titicaca 11
Washing wool using soap made from a ground up plant.

Lake Titicaca 12
Obligatory dancing - note the shades!

Lake Titicaca 13
At the end of a long day on yet another Inca trail.

Comments

[Janine]

captions please...
is Suzanne saying "does my bum look big in this?" x

[woodsinsa]

Skirt
Janine: I hope my bum doesn't look big in the yellow voluminous skirt, I was hoping to wear it at your wedding!

[Becky]

I hope you bought that skirt Suzanne - it's fabulous!

[Becky]

I hope you bought that skirt Suzanne - it's fabulous!

[woodsinsa]

Skirt
Becky: It is a splendid skirt indeed. Thought I'd get one for each of the Waylors!

[Emma]

love the skirt!
I think you guys would fit right in in my old NYC neighborhood, The East Village, dressed like that. And I just finished reading In Style mag, by the way, and canary yellow is very on trend this year! x