Peru Pt. 3: Lake Titicaca, home stay with a family and floating islands!

Allie and Nelson dressed as locals on the Uros Islands.

Hola! We traveled 8 hours by bus from Cusco to Puno, a small town right next to Lake Titicaca. We spent 2 days exploring the islands on this large lake. The Uros Islands (floating islands made of reeds), Amantani Island (where we stayed with a local family for a night), and Taquile Island. We had a great time and gained a new perspective for the way these Peruvians live. We were thankful for a hot shower and running water when we left but we were so glad we took the opportunity to step into a whole new world in order to better appreciate our own. Next up will be Arequipa, Lima, and our Peru Summary!

A Peruvian woman walking with her children

Our "motokar" in Puno. It was about US$.50 extra but it was worth the experience. Think motorcycle crossed with an Urkel car. Notice our luggage on the back, strapped in with a cord you would use to keep your trunk closed. Not very secure!

The women of the Uros Islands greeting us as our boat approached.

The homes of the Uros Islands.

Our new neighbors. If you are wondering about the pom poms the women wear on the ends of their hair, dark colors mean the woman is married. Bright colors and the woman is available!

Their preferred mode of transportation

The ground of the island. The reeds are layered multiple times.

Typical stove on the island. The soil between the reeds and the stove prevents the island from setting afire. 

A home made of reeds on the island.

A mother with her child greeting tourists.

The reeds with impending clouds over Lake Titicaca.

We then took a 3 hour boat ride to Amantani Island. This is the view from our host family's house.

View of the neighbor's house and farm from high up on the hill.

Cow in the backyard.

The 5 year old granddaughter helps out with the chores.

This is our host family's home we stayed in for one night.

Our host mother cooking lunch for us over her fire stove. She made a delicious potato soup with fresh vegetables they grew on site. It was amazing what she could make from this modest kitchen. The pancakes for breakfast were pretty good too!

As we hiked a path to the highest point of Amantani Island, a local boy wanted to play with Nelson. He had a stick with a small hula hoop like toy and he would push it up the hill. Nelson humored Juan and played along, mostly out of breath from the altitude adjustment and the steep walk!

Nelson and Juan

The vistas were worth the climb. 

View of Bolivia in the distance.

Allie and Nelson finally reached the summit of the winding hike up Pachatata. The highest point on the island is named after Father Earth. The other high point is Pachamama, Mother Earth. 

Allie and Nelson from the top of Pachatata. This was the highest point on the highest elevation lake. Lake Titicaca is about 12500 ft above sea level.

Allie and Nelson dressed as the locals. Disclaimer: Allie would like it to be known that she was wearing 3 shirts, a large jacket, leggings, pants all below the extra layers they put on her! No heat = lots of unflattering layers!

We danced! And danced! And danced some more. The local women loved it!

Our entertainment for the evening

Lake Titicaca from Taquile Island

Beautiful scenery

A woman heads home after a day in town on Taquile Island.

Beautiful day on the lake

Our weary feet as we left Puno by bus and headed to Arequipa