Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

After the exhausting trek to Machu Picchu we decided to head to the Lake Titicaca, the hightest navigable lake in the world! The lake is between two countries, Peru and Bolivia. The color of the sky at that altitude is stunning! and the clouds look very low.

We took a night bus from Cuzco to Puno, which lies in the Peruvian shore of the lake. We arrived to Puno at 4am after a tiring trip by bus. We were lucky because our room at the hostel was empty and they allowed us to do an early check-in! After resting for a while we were ready to explore Puno. We went to the main plaza and we saw a big parade. It was the "Tourist day" and all schools, professional schools and tourists companies were parading like a military march. We were able to see the traditional clothing from different regions.

The day after, we took a very slow boat to visit the floating islands of Uros. These islands are made by the local people with "totora" plant, which is a reed that grows in the lake. They use these reeds to build the islands, their own houses and their boats. It is very impressive! They make everything with this plant and of course, they also eat its roots!

We were able to step on one of these islands and we realized that the surface was very fluffy and we could actually feel the movement of the island floating on the water. The inhabitants didn't wear shoes because the surface of the island is like a pillow. We were tempted to take our shoes off as well.

They showed as how they build everything with a fantastic miniature recreation of the island. They had little houses and boats and dolls to represent the people.

After the explanation they showed us their real home. We saw a big HP printer box inside one of the houses but it must be just a box because they don't have electricity...

In each island live 2 or 3 families and they have a mayor for each one. They also told us that they don't have toilets in the island and they have to take the boat and go to another island. I don't know if that is true or not but if  it is it must be very inconvenient. As it was a touristic visit they showed us handicrafts so we can contribute to their economy.

The inhabitants of the island, specially women, wear light colors and traditional hats.

We left the island on one of the traditional boats made of "totora". It is not a motor boat, so they need to use oars to move the boat.

After visiting the Uros islands we went to visit the Taquile island. We think it isn't worth going because it took us very long to get there (2h) and we just had time to have lunch and to cross the island walking very fast. The only highlight of that tour was the hat that men were wearing, it looks like Santa Claus' hat! They distinguish married men with the color of the hat like we do with the ring. The red hat is for married men.

The following day we took a bus to Copacabana, a town on the Bolivian shore of the lake. We crossed the border on foot and the process was fairly easy.

visiting the local market :s

In Copacabana we stayed at La Cúpula Hostel that has the best restaurant in town. We had a delicious fondue for dinner. It was very cheap!

sheeps in the yard of the hotel

In Copacabana we took a boat to Isla del Sol. In the boat we met again our French trek-mates from Machu Picchu, Victor and Benjamin. In Isla del Sol we did a short trek enjoying the views of the lake and the preinca's terraces. The island vegetation and the water of the infinite lake reminded us to the Mediterranean islands.

From Copacabana we took a public bus to la Paz with our french friends. The best moment was when we had to cross the lake and we had to take a small boat while our bus was crossing the water on top of a motor boat.

look at our bus crossing the lake!

What surprised us the most from la Paz was that the city is huge! The city is full of houses and it is very crowded. The extension of the city is enormous! The houses go up hill surrounding the valley and you can not see the end of it. What we didn't like from la Paz was the pollution and that they drive like crazy! It is very difficult to cross the street without running.

The hostel we stayed in la Paz was Cruz Andina. The hostel was nice with murals on the walls of the hostel and rooms.

Next Stop: 4x4 tour to Salar de Uyuni!