From Puno to Colca Canyon

Floating Islands

Floating Island scene

Our next destination from Puno was  Uros floating Islands on Lake Titicaca. The span of the lake is over 3000 sq. miles and straddles the borders of Bolivia ad Peru with access from either side. In the morning, our tour bus took us to board the ferry to go to the Islands. There are over 100 islands on Lake Titicaca and they are increasing in number. We came to one of the Islands. When we stepped on to the first floating Island, I had the sense of having slipped into a painting,  or fantasizing seeing  people living on man made reed Islands. It made me think of the skills birds use to build their nest except this was a work of art by humans to create a whole island nest with all the requisites to qualify as a home. Little reed  huts like homes, (each Island has room for 5 – 6 homes) lined along one side of the Island, and community of Islanders were traditionally dressed, with all their crafts, for which they are known, displayed  in front of each abode to be sold by its owners. The Island president explained that the  families that reside on the island form small Committees and work to maintain everything on the islands so that they can remain afloat. The islands have homes, boats, furniture, a church, and school which need maintainance. They also have electric power due to the installation of solar Panels. One of the chores of maintaining involves adding fresh layers of reed every few weeks on the surface to consolidate the surface and compensate for the rotting reeds at the bottom which is in the water constantly. Each Island is anchored down with a tight big block of reed so it does not float away.

Another view of floating Island

Floating Island, Reed boat.

There was pressure to buy souvenirs because that is their source of  living. But with our mode of travel and time we had did not allow for Schlepping extra items around. Though I marveled at  their skill of how they created everything  with reeds including their amazing canoes for transportation and fishing. They used tightly bundled reeds to build sturdy and really beautiful canoes.

After this lesson in Uros culture and their skillful use of Totora reed, we had more treats to come.  We boarded another boat and headed out to unique Taquile Island. On our way to Taquile Island  we could see people in their reed boat busy with their chores of picking up more reeds for maintenance and fishing. Taquile is not a floating island but real tiny spot of land in the middle of the lake Titicaca on Peruvian side. The inhabitants are famous for their textiles.

As we approached the island, our well-informed guide, Jorge, told us that  getting to  the town on the island would be hard work because it would take at least  40 minutes walking to get there. We were also given the option that there were two ways to go up. One was by climbing the steps and the other was by uphill trail which would be  worth the hike. But altitude was a problem and he suggested  using the trail for going up and using the steps to come back down  would be the best choice.

Jorge, the guide in Tequile island

Therefore, we opted to take the trail while entering the island. He insisted that we walk real slow, and offered some mint leaves for us to chew to minimize altitude sickness and nausea. There was mint growing all along the trail.  Jorge, charming and kind, stayed with us all the time.

He also informed us that there is a tradition of knitting men on the Island. They walk around the Island knitting. They make tightly woven caps which cover their ears and are floppy on the top. The best knitters are, apparently, men. Men’s knitting has a role in relationships and marital status. The most curiously noticeable aspect was the brilliant colors of the caps. The bright red single colored caps, apparently, meant that the person wearing it was married and not available. Men who  were in a relationship but not yet married carried a colorful bag with pom-poms, whereas single men wore red patterned cap with floppy white top indicating that he is available. Women tend the flock of sheep,  weave and spin the yarn.

Men knitting caps, Taquile Island

Restaurant in Taquile Island

When we got to the top we had a nice lunch in a restaurant with our group, and headed out to explore the area.in the time allowed. Then we  were ready to move on to our next destinations which  were  Colca Canyon and then Arequipa which turned out to be excellent add-ons to Puno and the the floating Islands.We took a bus to Colca canyon, located northwest of Arequipa. where we stayed in a nice hotel. We went shopping because we did not bring bathing gear with us. It was quite an experience. We could not find anything in our size because they were all sold out. Anyway, we didn’t give up and continued to  look and succeeded in finding something and were able to visit hot springs with our group.

Next morning in Colca Canyon, our tour bus picked us up to go to Condor Cross.  It was great scenic trip to a gem of unparalleled beauty with photo ops.etc. When we arrived at  Candor cross, only people there were from our tour.  We were definitely in Peru with women and Children with llamas. And some women were carrying eagles in their hands as if they were performing for the tourist.

Peuvian woman with an eagle on her arm, Colca Canyon

While we were standing and enjoying the spectacular scenery, we saw the candor swooping in our direction and I was able to capture it with my camera, but the image does not do justice to the magnificent view we had of the  condor in flight. Nevertheless, It was a thrilling moment for me.

Condor in flight, Colca Canyon

After the Colca Canyon trip we continued on to Arequipa and then on to Lima. We had a extra day in Lima where we did some more sight seeing  before flying back home.

The Kiss, Sculpture, Downtown Lima

I was saddened to leave but at the same time happy to be going back home.

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