Southern Peru-Bolivia Day 8
Southern Peru-Bolivia
Day 08 - Sunday, November 2, 2014 - Excursion on Lake Titicaca; Boat Ride to Uros Islands; OPTIONAL TOUR: Sillustani Tombs Tour
We joined our group at 9:00 AM and with our local guide, Broz, we boarded a Kon Tiki Tours boat that docked right across the street from our hotel on Lake Titicaca. We met our captain, Seňor Angel who would take us to the Uros Islands.
We motored through the tortora reeds, (related to papyrus) through the shallowest part of the Bay of Puno. We saw many water birds; lots of blue billed Ruddy Ducks. There are about 87 islands now, but because they are man-made, more islands are being built every year.
The Uru people harvest the tortora reeds, build a base of the roots and then spread the reeds over the base. They must cover their “island” with new reeds about every two weeks to keep the surface dry. The islands must be anchored with ropes connected to the bottom of the lake and with stones to prevent them from wandering in the lake.
We got off our boat on the island of Sumita Corazon where we were greeted by Lulu Rosa and her 6 children. Rosa is the “big woman” or chief of the island. The family gave us a tutorial in how they construct their homes, also made of the Tortora reeds.
Fire is always a danger so the cooking is done outside of their dwellings on flat rocks. Fishing, hunting, and tourism are the main sources of income. They eat food they barter for with the fish they catch in the lake. Their diet is mainly potatoes, corn, fish and clay that they chew for minerals.
The government under a past president, Alberto K. Fujimori, supplied solar panels so the Uru people have electricity for generators for TV, radio, and to charge batteries for their cell phones.
The children gave us a tour of their homes and some of us donned the festive costumes of the islanders. The children had a little store where they sold wares that they had “made by hand”, but we had seen all in the markets in the cities.
We were given a ride on one of the famous reed boats across the channel to Santa Maria for a little more shopping. To say this island community was a commercial venture is an understatement.
Our new van driver, Willie greeted us and took us on a short tour of the city of Puno. Because today was the celebration of the Day of the Dead, Pepé arranged for us through Broz to go to the Cementerio Central Laykakota.
The crowds were unbelievable; families of young and old came with food, flowers, and plenty of beer. They were there to celebrate the life and death of their loved ones. Bands played, some families sang, some just enjoyed the day and each other.
As we walked around we were very considerate and only took photos when the family agreed. As we stopped periodically, Vic spoke to each family and asked about the loved ones. Everyone was so generous and offered us food, popped corn, cookies, bread, and beer.
We spent a most delightful, spontaneous 30 minutes but had to meet our group at 12:30 to walk through the city to Giorgio’s Restaurant for our lunch. Right after lunch, at 2:00, we met on the steps of the cathedral for our optional tour to the Sillustani Tombs.
We joined Pepé, Broz, and 8 others to visit the tombs, a pre-Incan archaeological site, on the shore of Lake Umayo about 45 minutes from Puno. The site is pre-Incan and features tower-like structures called chullpas, used as burial sites.
Broz gave us detailed information as we walked around the burial grounds and described the procedures for burial. Most of the towers from the Colla people are older and made with irregular stones. Later, after the Inca conquered them, one can see the precision of the Inca cut stones.
We spent about 2 hours at the tombs. At 12,892 feet above sea level the climb up and down the hillsides was great exercise. We will be in good shape when we return to the lowlands of Monument, Colorado.
When we returned to the hotel, there was no specific time for dinner. Neither of us was hungry so we had some snacks left from our day at the market and enjoyed the free time to catch up on the events of the day.
People ask us why we travel with OAT on so many of their trips. Today was another example of the spontaneous activities that make Overseas Adventure Travel not only one of the best experiences for one's travel dollar, but a delight to get to know the real people of the country one visits.
Accommodations: José Antonio Puno Hotel --- Meals: B, L, & D
To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062
Southern Peru & Bolivia: Inca Landscapes & Lake Titicaca
Comments
Post a Comment!Loved reliving the visit to Uros Is with you. Fascinating goings on at high altitudes! Yep, Mt. Herman will be a piece of cake for you when you get back. Great job entertaining us with your blog!
Celebration of the Day of the Dead - All Souls Day (1:23)
Sumita Corazon, Uros Islands
Reed Canoe on Lake Titcaca
Cementerio - Day of the Dead Wall
Puno Woman and Child
Sillustani Tombs
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