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Published: September 19th 2007
On Sunday 9th we moved to the Senioral Mendoza Hotel, ready to start our 3 week tour with Tucan Travel. We met our tour leader, Matt and the driver, Luke at the pre-departure meeting that night as well as the other tour members. Our group is only 7 big at this point and we are picking up 3 more people in Puno tomorrow. Everyone seemed nice, American, an Aussie, 2 poms, Irish and a Kiwi. We all went and had dinner together which was really nice.
The next day, an early start and we were off to Puno. The bus/truck is really nice (Mercedes) and because of the small numbers plenty of room and two little tables at the front, which the girls love. Stereo, on-board library, reclining seats etc. Leaving La Paz we had amazing views into the city as the city is built in a valley.
On the way we stopped at our first ruins, Tiahuanaco, which were fantastic. Our local guide took us into the museum first and explained in detail about the people who first settled here 1500BC to about 1200AD.In the final period they built these temples in line with the summer/winter solaces. We also saw in the museum carved monoliths. The Tiahuanaco preceeded the Incas and the hillsides from La Paz to Puno and beyond were covered with the pre-Inca terraces that were used for farming. The terraces are not used nowadays. We then went for a walk on the archeological site where excavations are currently underway. It was amazing to see how extensive the area was. Proceeded north west towards Puno and stopped for a picnic lunch on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This lake is amazing in size being 160kms long and 75km wide. It borders on Peru and Bolivia.
Arriving in Puno, Matt took us for a familiarisation walk and we stumbled across a street parade with dancers and costumed people. It was an anniversary of someone celebrations. Hassled by boys offering shoe shine, Tim ended up getting his done. They spoke a little English which they learn at school. We had a great night in Puno at a local restaurant with our tour members and watched local dancing. It was fantastic, the music, the colours of the costumes and we ate Alpaca, not bad either. Rachel and Sarah got up to dance in front of the crown of their own accord. Our whole tour group thought this pretty cool. The next day we were off early to our overnight family stay. We travelled by tricycle to the harbour where we brought food/gifts for our host families. We took fruit, rice, pasta and sugar. Also a ball for the kids and textas and exercise pads. After about a 30min boat ride we reached the reed islands. This place was absolutely amazing. Hundreds of little houses built from reeds on floating reed islands. Also, elaborate boats (takes 3 days to make) with puma heads and flamingo shapes, lookouts, animal pens all made from reeds, even a school, medical centre and shops. As far as we can tell, the story is that these people lived on the mainland, but were at war and with growing population pressures with other people moved out the the lake. We visited 2 islands, each reed island houses a community, which includes an extended family and went on a reed boat ride. We were told how the islands are made and how the people live. They even eat the reed. We all tried it and not too bad. Probably described best as close to celery/leek/cane cross. After the reed island, we went onto the isle of Amaranti. It was a three hour boat ride and once there we were met by our host father. We walked up to his house, which just about killed us, we needed three rest stops and met the rest of the family. Benita, his daughter, her two children, Lolita and Leonardo and Mama, his wife. The dwellings were mud huts, one for the kitchen/dining, our room which was upstairs, their sleeping hut and they were building a new double storey hut for tourist. We were given lunch in the outside courtyard, really lovely, table set with tablecloth, serviettes etc. We had reed soup, then a plate of potatoes, various types of potatoes, and a grilled cheese, like havarti. It was really delicious.
After lunch we walked up to the top of the hill on the island with our group and guide. It was pretty hard going and Tim found it pretty tough. Headache due to altitude. Great views. Hill height was 4140m. After enjoying the view, we raced back down as storm was approaching. We had dinner with the family, rice and potato curry and moonya tea, a cross between thyme and peppermint. We tried to converse but it was pretty hard with very limited Spanish. We had fun with the kids, drawing and learning Spanish and Ketcha (their local language). Our room was tiny, especially the door. I felt like I was climbing into a doll house. Inside, was three large single beds, a table and chairs. It was all clean and lovely.
After dinner the family dressed us up in local clothes and we went out to the local hall for a community dance. It was great. The girls looked so cute in their costumes. Tim got a poncho. The grandad took us their and we all danced the local dances. Inca-theque they call it. We had a great time. We had a good nights sleep in our little room. Plenty warm enough with all their thick blankets. Breakfast was pancakes much to Rachel’s delight. We visited another island, went for another walk up to the village. All this uphill walking on narrow little trails is great training for our upcoming inca trail to Macchu Picchu. We had lunch and then back to Puno. Our boat ride back to Puno was quite exciting. The steering broke on the boat, so they were steering from the back of the boat using the tiller. Then that broke too and we spend a while just floating while they tried to fix it. When they organised another method that Tim thought up the motor overheated. What an adventure. We did arrive back one and a half hours late. Then Sarah and Rachel were locked in their hotel room for about 30 minutes when their lock broke. They got out when Tim had cut up an old credit card to open the door. We had a lovely dinner and early night. Today we are off to Cusco. Tomorrow we start the inca trek. That it for now. Will try to get nline as often as we can get to an internet.
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Maud
non-member comment
It sounds great!!
Wow you guys! It's one big adventure! Not for me, thank you very much, but I love to read yours, hahaha!! Stop breaking everything! Love your fotos! Greetings for everyone and have a nice/SAVE trip ! Bye!!