Week 15 - Lake Titicaca

We left Cusco in the late evening hours. Our first overnight bus trip was ahead. Although we didn't get much sleep, we arrived in Puno somewhat rested in the morning. Puno is a city located on Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca, which many of you may still remember from school or the movie "Mein Name ist Eugen," was our next destination. Lake Titicaca is located on the border between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes. It is one of the largest lakes in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world.

We booked a two-day tour that included an overnight stay with a local family. After the long bus ride, we deposited our luggage at a hotel, had breakfast, and set off with a small day backpack containing the essentials. At the port, we were directed to our boat, and off we went. We sailed for about an hour to the first floating islands of Uros, where we made a stop. It was interesting to get a glimpse of the sparsely furnished huts and learn about the construction of such an island, but I still felt a little bit like on a "coffee trip." If you expect to experience a piece of Uros culture on the islands, you will be disappointed. Everywhere, they want to sell you a souvenir. You can even buy a stamp for your passport. Nevertheless, it was a change from the boat trip.

After hours on the water, we finally arrived in Amantani. We were welcomed by our host mother Magda and walked with her to her home. Amantani is a roughly 15 square kilometer island in the Peruvian part of Lake Titicaca. Time ticks slower on the island. There are no cars, and electricity is mostly available only in the evening hours. We immediately noticed the silence upon arrival. We hadn't heard this silence for a long time - it suddenly became apparent to us. We settled into our rooms and set off with Magda to walk to the village center. It was striking how all the women spin wool while they walk. From the village center, we set off on our own to explore the island summits. The view was very beautiful, despite the clouds and thus unspectacular sunset. Various crops, especially quinoa, are cultivated in terraces. Back at Magda's and her family's home, we helped her prepare dinner. Magda's father and brother joined us for the obligatory quinoa soup. Her brother studies tourism in Puno and was happy to practice his English skills with us. The night promised to be cold. We put on a few layers of clothes and got under the covers. Each of us had about five layers, and if you think five layers of fine down blankets sound very comfortable, you are mistaken. Here, blankets are what carpets are to us. So we slept under five carpets. Our night was great. We were warm and never woke up. Down blankets are definitely overrated 😉

The next morning, after breakfast, we set off fairly soon. We were taken back to the pier, said goodbye to Magda, and enjoyed a one-hour boat ride to another island. We spent a few hours exploring the island and climbing many stairs before finally enjoying a delicious lunch with a beautiful view. After a several-hour ride, we finally arrived back at the port of Puno. After several days without a shower, we were very excited about the room with a shower.