Floating islands
We finally tore ourselves away from Cusco and headed for the aptly named town of Puno, pronounced 'poo no' (and it really does smell of poo, wee and many other noxious substances besides). Although Puno sits on the spectacular lake Titicaca, the worlds highest navigable lake, the town itself is a rundown dusty place which doesn't do justice to its beautiful surroundings. Nevertheless we endeavoured to stay for a night so that we could visit the renowned floating islands anchored about 35 minutes boat ride from the town.
The floating islands are a collection of about 30 man-made islands built entirely from the reeds that grow on the lake. They were initally built as a means for a local peaceful tribes to escape the violent inter-tribal wars in the region, but nowadays serve mainly as a tourist attraction (although one island is so large it even has a school and post office!). The reed islands are facinating structures, they are about 2-3 meters thick with the top layers of reeds constantly being replenished as the bottom layers rot away. They are inhabited by about 8 families on each. We were told how the people who live on them retain a very traditional way of life, living mainly off fishing and hunting birds. A museum of badly stuffed birds showed us the different types of species that could be found on the lake, (although we would rather have seen them alive!). We also took a ride on a traditional reed boat which had a cats head and fish tail sculped to the front and back. The islands were incredibly quiet and we both thought what a tranquil existance this must be before being ferried back to the contrasting bussle of Puno.
Due to a road strike our stay in Puno was a night longer than expected but tomorrow we head off to the capital of Boliva, La Paz, with about 5 weeks left to explore our last two South American countries.
Click on the photos to see more!
Love Holland and Becky x
The floating islands are a collection of about 30 man-made islands built entirely from the reeds that grow on the lake. They were initally built as a means for a local peaceful tribes to escape the violent inter-tribal wars in the region, but nowadays serve mainly as a tourist attraction (although one island is so large it even has a school and post office!). The reed islands are facinating structures, they are about 2-3 meters thick with the top layers of reeds constantly being replenished as the bottom layers rot away. They are inhabited by about 8 families on each. We were told how the people who live on them retain a very traditional way of life, living mainly off fishing and hunting birds. A museum of badly stuffed birds showed us the different types of species that could be found on the lake, (although we would rather have seen them alive!). We also took a ride on a traditional reed boat which had a cats head and fish tail sculped to the front and back. The islands were incredibly quiet and we both thought what a tranquil existance this must be before being ferried back to the contrasting bussle of Puno.
Due to a road strike our stay in Puno was a night longer than expected but tomorrow we head off to the capital of Boliva, La Paz, with about 5 weeks left to explore our last two South American countries.
Click on the photos to see more!
Love Holland and Becky x
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