Gullibles Travels: Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is located between Peru and Bolivia at an altitude of over 4000m with an area bigger than the whole of Puerto Rico. According to the Peru chapter of the Lonely Planet it is the worlds highest navigable lake. However, according to the Bolivia chapter this is a fallacy... so who really knows! Enough to say that it is high. The Peruvians claim that their half is the "Titi" while the Bolivians have the "caca" (meaning poo) side of the lake.

Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca

Islas flotantes of the Uros people

From the town of Puno (on the Bolivian side of the lake) the floating islands "Las Islas Flotantes" can be accessed. The indiginous "Uros" people have lived on these islands for many centuries. They initially moved into the middle of the lake in an attempt to escape from the more aggressive Incas and various other people groups. The people build the islands out of the tortoras (reeds) that grow abundantly in the shallow parts of the lake. They pull up the roots that they are growing in and bind these wads of soil & reeds together forming a boyant raft. On top of this base they place layers and layers of the dried reeds which give the island a delightfully squishy feeling when you walk on them. Although the reed layer require replenishing every 15 days, the islands themselves last about 40 years.

Model of how the islands are constructed

Virtually everything on the islands is constructed from reeds including the homes, boats and enclosures for the animals (as well as the trinkets to sell to tourists!!). The people traditionally lived virtually self sufficiently, but these days they earn money from the tourists who visit their communities so now have an income with which to purchase things from the towns along the shore lines. However, the women (who still wear traditional dress at all times) generally remain on the islands while the men to travel to shore. These days the children also journey into the towns so that they can attend school.

Guinea pigs (Cuy) homes... they aren't kept as pets!!

Generally 4 or 5 families live on one island. If there are conflicts or one family isn't pulling their weight in maintaining the island, the Uros people literally cut the island in half so that the offending family is separated from the rest of the community and has to fend for themselves. Similarly, if there are issues with the neighbours, the islands anchor is raised and it is literally moved to another part of the lake.

Tim was very excited about the number of VW's in Puno (and Peru in general)

After making lots of inquiries about the political stability in Bolivia we crossed the border to Copacabana which is located on the Bolivian banks of Lake Titicaca. From Copacabana, Isla del Sol can be accessed. This island was very important to the Incas and Andean people, who believed that this was the birthplace of the sun god they worshipped. Today three different communities live on the beautiful island enjoying the beautiful clean air and sparkling water that comes with such a high altitude. After being to Machu Picchu we didn't bother visiting the far inferior ruins on the island and instead opted for the north to south trek enjoying the beauty of the scenery.