http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from South America , Peru , Puno , Puno en-us Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:24:26 +0000 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:24:26 +0000 Now with pictures Post by MikeHi all I know it has been a while since I last posted. We have been in some locations with dodgy or nonexistent Internet connections and also doing a bit of trekking which by design is sans WiFi. But now that Jess and I are comfortable in Cusco for the next couple of days I am going to try to get some posts in highlighting som http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-791916.html Travel SurprisesSpongy walks on floating islands mythical Lake Titicaca a wild ride to an archaeological site the infamous Bolivian protest blockade the kindness of strangers and a meeting with a TravelbloggerPuno wasn39t as boring as I thought it would be.I was in Bolivia and had planned to stay until my visa expired. However a message from a Travelblog friend changed my plans and I w http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-777207.html Road miles to date 24757Following a break by the sea in a hostel overrun by the Argentine equivalent of gap year students we set off early for an arduous journey through the desert. Despite the twelve hour ride and the intense high winds coming off the coast the scenery was spectacular and varied constantly from dry rocky mountains to miles of nothing but white sand to small communities of hut http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-769062.html We knew we were in for an adventure when we got to the train station and walked into the waiting room. The chairs were comfortable c hairs think of a Lazy Boy without the retractable foot rest. We sat down and waited for our train. Apparently word has gotten out amongst the Condor staff that the Steinbrechers require their own bus for their luggage as we rode over from the hotel in our own 10 per http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-767921.html Hi againLast time we blogged we were still in Rio. Matt was hoping to go hang gliding but unfortunately wind conditions didn39t allow him to. Instead we decided to go and check out the National History Museum which was really interesting. We also visited a Cathedral and Monestry before going to another permanent market full of fake merchandise We then caught up with a few girls from our last http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-762334.html Vanoggend uitgeboek en taxi gevat na die Terrapuerto bus stasie. Bagasie ingeboek en toe 39n lekker ontbyt geet by 39n klein winkeltjie op die stasie.Die busrit was nogals hel gewees vandag. Dit het gevoel of dit nooit gaan eindig nie. Toe ons uiteindelik stop na 5.5 ure was dit in so 39n shithole van 39n dorp. Gelukkig was dit nie Puno nie. Maar ongelukkig was dit nog 40 min op d http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-761747.html The bus to Puno turned out to be pretty straight forward. We weren39t sure how it was going to go with it being a Bolivian bus and also an overland border crossing but we needed not have worried The bus was very comfortable with fully reclining seats the border crossing pretty painless aside from a bit of queuing. No extra admin fees demanded or anything like that and after about 30 mi http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-759481.html Early start with a motor launch from our hotel which was right on the lake.We were joined by our guide for the day Luis and some tourists from Italy including a charming honeymoon couple from Rome. Our first stop after about ten minutes was to the floating reed islands which are unique to this part of the world. We were taught a greeting which meant how are you to which we replied Waikiki which me http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-753035.html September 23rd 2012 Elevation 3830m 12565ft After getting all the formalities out of the way in Lima it was now time to begin the adventures with a quick flight from Lima to Juliaca and then on to our first stop Puno Gateway to Lake Titicaca we would have three days to explore the region including visiting the floating reed islands of Uros the island of Taquile and a homestay with a local http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-749994.html Day 294 Tuesday 31st JulyBack for our final stint in Cusco and the town is now as familiar to us as some parts of Sydney. Would be lovely to spend the day just relaxing in town but we had plans to head off for the day again. Today we wanted to return to the small town of Chinchero that was about an hours drive from Cusco. We had been there at the end of a day tour through the Sacred Valley back i http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-735121.html 21.5.2012 Got back to Cusco last around 10.00pm was so wrecked didnt even have a shower straight to bed up 6.30 to be on the road by 7.15a.m.ltspangt A lot of small groups all congregated at bus station to get double decker bus to Puno.ltspangt With a few stops along the way at more Inca ruins and of course a church then lunch in in Sicuani climbing all the way to 4335 metres now fe http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-718291.html ltstrong stylemsobidifontweight normalgtFinally early the next morning we crossed into Peru although Fabi and Danny were threatened to be put in jail as they crossed the border without authorisation. We were all happy to have finally left Bolivia and sat reminiscing about our experience while we enjoyed breakfast looking over the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. After breakfast it was http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-711429.html We arrived in Puno to a downpour. As suspected there were tons of hostals within a block of the terminal and after a little shopping we settled on one for 20 soles 8 USD in total. Oh how I love these prices. No restaurants were open nearby so we went back to the terminal and picked up some bread and fruit. We met a nice english speaking guide there who recommended a hostal closer to the main http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-701999.html Early breakfast and the bus loaded by 7.00 am and we were on our way. Byebye Cusco Long driving day. Back past the most miserable Peruvian town we have come across Juliaca it was really depressing both times we passed it. Just huge long roads awash with mud broken down lorries and cars and unfinished buildings...... A couple of toilet stops along the way and lunch off the road on a grassy a http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-688691.html Alright another long pause between updates lots of bussing and business... The day after we arrived back from the Inca Trail we had an early bus to catch at 7am in order to get to Puno on Lake Titicaca. After a rather dull tourfrom Cusco to Puno stopping 45 places with some information we arrived in Puno at 5pm and went to our hostel. After dropping off bags and arranging our next bus we e http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-682039.html After a tenish hour bus ride we finally made it to Puo. For some reason buses do not like Becca and I. Let me explain our bus was supposed to leave from the main bus station in Cusco at 8 a.m. We were going on San Luis which according to Lonely Planet is a fairly good bus company. Well we got to the station at 730ish and went to wait for the bus to arrive. As it got closer to 8 we walk http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-679364.html After a night of constant clock watching I got up early to prepare to leave La Paz. After I39d collected my clean laundry from reception I had a long hot shower to wash off the remnants of yesterday. Dressed and ready for the off I began to clumsily cram everything into my already tightly packed bag. I tried to be ad quiet as I could so as to not wake the rest of the dorm even though there w http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-679271.html Our first impression of Puno left us wondering why we had decided to come here at all. Puno isn39t a nice city but at least we managed to find a nice hostel owned by an old couple who let us order pizza and watch Oliver Twist in the livingroomThe lakeThe next morning we were off into lake Titicaca. Our first stop was at the floating islands which were very touristy. Nevertheless it was inter http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-667859.html Tina WritesWe were expecting prices to shoot up as soon as we entered Peru but were pleasantly surprised when we got a hostel for S40 9 per night. I say hostel but this was a lot more like a hotel room. It was decent enough and even had an Ethernet connection to the net so we had a really good connection. It did get very cold in the room and I had to have a hot shower to heat up before I went http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-659354.html Friday 9th September After a rather luxurious bus ride from Arequipa we have landed in Puno on Lake Titicaca. Room is comfortable and has fabulous pillows Our first job as is the norm is to head in to the main square and get our bearings. For a change we have arrived early afternoon so we have plenty of time to look about what yet again is another lovely city. The streets bustle here with t http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Puno/blog-652368.html