We arrived in Puno quite late and in the middle of a massive
thunder storm, so all we did was check into the hotel and go to sleep.
When we booked the trip the hotel here looked amazing, on the far side of town with the most wonderful views of Lake Titicaca. Unfortunately, and I can't remember why, this had to be substituted for another hotel closer to town with no views. Although I did get up before dawn to try and get some shots, the views really were bad, as were my photography skills.
We had to make an earlier start than planned as Bolivian miners were protesting and blockading the roads we were due to take to the border (apparently in Bolivia some faction is always protesting over something). So we would have to go all the way by hydrofoil instead and headed into town to pick it up from the harbour area.
Our lovely purple suitcases are so easy to spot.
I think this was the hotel we should have stayed in. It's quite a long way around the bay so maybe it would have taken too long to reach the harbour this morning and that's why we changed.
All was going well but then the hydrofoil blew an engine and we had to sit in the middle of Lake Titicaca (enormous) for about an hour waiting for a new hydrofoil to arrive. Eventually our replacement arrived and we transferred across (not the easiest manoeuvre when the boats are rocking and you know the lake is some 50 miles across and 922ft deep in places!)
Eventually we landed at the Bolivian town of Copacabana.
The Basilica, shrine to Our Lady of Copacabana (Patron Saint of Bolivia and from where the Rio beach takes its name).
We only had about an hour to wander around because of the time spent marooned on the lake, so a few random street scenes.
We then made the short crossing to the Sun Island where a handy souvenir stall was waiting for us.
The lady in the restaurant was very happy to show off her braids. I believe the tassels at the bottom are alpaca hair.
Having walked up the 200+ steep steps Ian was able to drink from the Fountain of Youth.
Off then to to Moon Island where we saw the Inca nunnery of the Virgins of the Sun which has been partially restored.
Our final stop on the lake was to visit the one of the Uros Floating Islands which are made from totora reeds lashed together.
We were made extremely welcome by the inhabitants and sold one of their little baskets made from reeds for an exorbitant price (c.£15)
I can identify salted fish, corn (maize) and potato but I'm not sure what the thing on the left is?
This lovely girl was learning English and very keen to have a go.
It's hard to understand the scenery at times - what's cloud and what's mountain.
Overnight we stayed at the Eco Hotel on the edge of the lake (the name says it all - grey towels and small rooms!!!) but it had a really interesting museum of natural remedies and we had an audience with the local Kallawaya (medicine man). And its greatest claim to fame.
