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Published: April 12th 2009
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Uros Island
Floating Island of Reeds Happy Easter to All!
I am going to have to make this entry very quick as I don´t have much time. It has been a VERY busy past week as I left Cusco for Lake Titicaca and Arequipa.
Kristina and I have done two long bus rides now between cities and are beginning to learn the ins and outs of the bus travelling system here - which is used by tourists and locals alike in Peru. Unlike back home where you don´t really have many options for bus travel, in Peru, there are tens of bus companies all lining up and calling out for your business as you enter the station. Who to travel with? We have learned....
1) Never take a local bus - even though the buses look like grey hound tourist buses they will pick up EVERY passenger on the side of the road. We had the joy of experiencing this as we travelled from Puno to Arequipa. The longest 5 hour bus trip of my life - it took 7 hours!
2) Always make sure that the bus you are travelling with has a bathroom. AND even if it has a bathroom that it will
be unlocked for the ride. We had mistakenly thought that we had access to a toilet on the bus and were drinking our water happily until we found out that they would not unlock the toilet, nor were they going to stop. Once again the longest 7 hours of my life.
3) Pay a little extra to sit on the first floor (first class) of the bus. The extra ten soles (approx 4 dollars) is definitely worth it for the extra large seats, reclining abilities, and fewer people.
4) Use the company Cruz del Sur - for luxury bus tripping - apparently better than airline service with large reclining seats and free drink and snack service. We have yet to use this company but do hope to for our last bus trip.
5) Go to Argentina where bus service reigns. Advice from many a fellow traveller.
Needless to say, Kristina and I have survived the last couple bus trips and will be on one again tomorrow to Nazca. Hopefully will be better?
One of the most interesting and unique experiences on this trip thus far was our time spent on Lake Titicaca. We had opted to do a
homestay on the Island of Amantani which is a 3 hour boat ride into the lake. That was an experience in itself. I had never felt sea sick until that ride... Our entire boatful of people were all looking a little green upon arrival. However, on the way to Amantani, we stopped off at the floating island of Uros which is made entirely of reeds. The people who live on these islands were originally fleeing from the spanish. EVERTHING on the island is made of reeds from the base, to the houses to the boats they use to fish. (Interestingly enough - Lake Titicaca is stocked with trout from Canada.)
On Amantani we had the opportunity to stay with a family who had lived for generations on the island. We stayed in their simple clay brick home and ate their meals that consisted mainly of potatoes. Peru has over 8000 varieties of potatoes I believe... Check out the cute picture of me with the family. I look like a GIANT. For once in my life in Peru I feel tall!
Over the past couple days, Kristina and I have been exploring the Colca Canyon. The Colca Canyon is
the second deepest Canyon in the world. The first also being in Peru and just a couple hours away. However, the Colca canyon is much more famous due to the Cruz del Condor - a lookout point where one can observe the EXTREMELY large bird gliding throughout the canyon. Once again we were able to witness such amazing scenery!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Unfortunately I never seem to be able to capture the amazing beauty of the scenery.
Well I am on to Nazca tomorrow afternoon after we hope to catch an easter morning service in Arequipa. Take care and will update again soon!
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Doris Bean
non-member comment
LOVE THE PICS!!
Hi Laura and Kristina, Love the addition of the pictures on your blog. Brings your fabulous narrations even more to life. Hope you had a very Happy Easter. Love Doris