A little underwhelmed by the Bolivian side of things, but pleasantly surprised by Peru. Day 1, bussed to Copacabana from La Paz, a boring 3 hour journey, at the end of which was a sleepy little town by the end of the lake. Got on a boat pretty quick to Isla del Sol (Sun Island), where Inca mythology says is the birthplace of the Sun.
I tooked up with a huge group of Israeli travellers, and we chartered a boat to the north side of the island, closer to the ruins. It was late in the day and we didn´t wayt to spend too long hanging around there. The South side was definitely more touristy, lots of touts and signs advertising accommodation. North side was more village like, lots of little farms dotted around the centre.
Got the cheapest accomodation so far - bed in a double room, no bathroom, for 10 bolivians, equivalent to about AU$1.50. Score!
The trek to the ruins was difficult because the islands are at an altitude of about 3800m. We got there just around sunset, so took lots of pretty photos. But it was cold, and we didn´t know how to get to the ruins, so didn´t see the famous Puma rock which was apparently THE most important place in the lake.
The next morning, at 8am, our boat sailed back to Copacabana. I had a little nap on the wooden benches. From Copacabana we bused to Puna, got there about 4pm. Then hopped on a tour to the Uros (floating reed islands), and bused to Cusco that night. A plenty long day!
The Uros were AWEsome. The reed plants start off from the bottom of the lake, about 15m deep, and after about 20 years the roots rot and chunks of the plants float to the surface. The people of the Uros (forget what they´re called) use big long knifes to cut off the reeds, and use them to build floating islands and houses and everything in-between.
Unfortunately it was very touristy, and I got convinced into buying trinkets and stuff, until now I had been resisting.
I do wish I had stayed a night on the islands, apparently they do traditional dances for you and you can dress up in their costumes and act all silly. Very me. Hahahahaha... :)
