Puno - Lake Titikaka

The bus ride from Cusco to Puno took 9 1/2 hours but we stopped along the way to see some sights and for lunch. It was quite nice to just sit and relax as the past week had been very busy. Puno is a dry (most of Peru is dry and dusty as their rainy season only starts in Nov) and bustling port on the North Shore of Lake Titikaka, a hub for the commercial boats and those going out to the various tourist attractions.  Had a Cusquena (the local beer which is really nice) at a vibey little Reggae pub and got ourselves organised for another early start!   Woke up to a sunny day and boarded a bus for the Uros floating islands about 45 minutes from Puno.  These islands are made from reeds and are inhabited by the Anyami people who live a very simple life sustained mainly by tourism.  From there it was a 3 hour boat trip to Amantani island, where we were going to spend a night with a local family in their home.  Travelling on Lake Titikaka feels a bit like being on the ocean.  It is the highest navigable lake in the world covering an area of 8550 sq km.
On arrival at Amantani, we met our local family who took us to their little clay brick home.   We were shown to a simple but comfortable bedroom and lunch was served in the kitchen/dining area where cooking was done over an open fire in clay pots. They have no running water!  Fortunately another Spanish couple were with us so at least they could communicate with the family otherwise for Jen and I 'at a loss for words' would have taken on a new meaning!  Lunch was soup and 8 potatoes of various kinds and a boiled egg!  That afternoon we climbed up to the highest point on the island to see their moon temple and watch a spectacular sunset with incredible cloudd formations and the Bolivian Andes mountains in the distance.  Dinner was soup again (it is served at almost every meal and usually has a potatoe/quinoa base) then rice and a nice bean stew.  I love the food here and am eating much more than normal and sometimes Jen´s portions as well, so think I will roll off the plane when I get home!  After supper we were informed that it was disco time and our hostess dressed us in traditional costumes (Viv and I laughed and laughed at what we looked like in our costumes) and we assembled in a community hall where we got down to some serious dancing!!   It was an hilarious evening.  Next morning we boarded the boat once again for Taquille, another island where we spent the morning exploring before heading back to Puno.  Tomorrow we have a three hour bus trip to Copocabana where we will catch a ferry to Sun Island.   We plan to spend two nights relaxing there.