This morning we arrived at Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The lake at 190km long and at an altitude of 3830m is the highest navigable lake in the world and is home to 2000 Uros people who live on the floating islands. The Uros were forced to live an island lifestyle after being forced to the lake by the Colla and Incas.
Took a boat trip to take a look at the islands. The totura reed grows in the lake but only in depths of 3m or less. The reeds are collected and we were able to be shown how they make an island from the reeds when we stepped ashore an island shared by 6 families. The islands can last for up to 70 years after they are initially built providing that a top layer of reeds is added regularly as the bottom layer rots away. It made a bit of an odd surface to walk on but the families manage fine making canoes and theie homes out of the reeds. They shoot the lake birds and catch fish. If they want anything else they barter in Puno for it. Tourism has helped the Uros people carry on living like this as they make handicrafts which we didn't have a problem buying. The islands didn't feel touristy though as it's carefully controlled and each island gets its fair share of boats so trade is spread. There are 40 islands which live solely off what they can make and catch as they live further inland and don't receive any tourists. It was a fantastic morning out and I'm looking forward to seeing the other side of the lake when we head to Copacabana in Bolivia tomorrow.
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