Puno and Lake Titikaka

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Puno is located on the Peruvian half of Lake Titicaca. Its a popular place from which to visit Uros and Sillustrani.

Uros are a group of man made floating islands, originally constructed for defensive reasons by pre Inca tribes. Each one is made from a type of reed which are constantly replenished as they rot away. The largest hold about 10 families and when numbers exceed this they simply build a new one. They are surprising stable although the reeds are just loosely thrown on the surface which mean you have to pick your feet up as you walk around them.

They also make boats from the reeds although thankfully these are tightly wound together to make them waterproof.

Sillustrani is an ancient cemetary, first used before the birth of Christ. there are tombs from the pre inca and inca eras but the mosy picteresque tombs have to be those of the Incas. They were built to advertise Inca superiority so prehaps this is not surprising.

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Photos

Puno.
Restrained church facade in Puno.

Puno.
En-route through reed beds to floating village.

Puno.
Linda on floating village.

Puno.
Linda debating where this would look good at home. Must have decided yes as she bought it.

Puno.
Scary straw boat.

Puno.
I wonder if the shop behind us sells cigarettes.

Puno.
Linda and reed shop front.

Puno.
Welcoming committee on floating island.

Puno.
linda getting her sea legs on floating village.

Puno.
Linda in front of boat that is to transport us across lake.

Puno.
Future top layer of Island drying in sun.

Puno.
Outhouse with a great view.

Puno.
Linda thankful that the walk to harbour is downhill.

Puno.
Having lunch in front of cathedral.

Puno.
Suburbs of Puno.

Puno
Situations vacent board.

Puno
Linda heading for a better view on top.

Sillustrani
Linda and late era Inca tomb.

Sillustrani
Linda at rear of tomb, destroyed by lightening strike.

Sillustrani
lake near cemetary site.

Sillustrani
Linda and baby Vicuna.

Sillustrani
Linda holding up Inca tomb.