As previously mentioned we had an 8 hour bus ride (380 kms) from Cusco to Puno.  Puno is the town on the edge of Lake Titicaca.  Initially some of us who are allergic to public transport (there’s more than one reason why we drive the 45 kms each way too and from work) were a little concerned about the journey.  In all it was an amazing way to see the remote Peruvian country side.  We had 4 stops along to way to vistit churches, ruins, markets and museums with the highest point on the bus ride being 4313 m (higher than our highest point on the Inca Trail). 

You had very mixed emotions on the journey with feelings of solitude with the herders yet strength and admiration for their way of life.  The highlight on the bus ride was at one of the stops when Brian convinced a young boy to kick his soccer ball around with Brian.  Luckily we’d already completed the Inca Trail at that point otherwise I’m sure Brian would have passed out from lack of oxygen.

After our night in Puno (at the most luxurious hotel we’ve stayed at in Peru) we were up at 6.30 am to leave for our boat to explore the islands on Lake Titicaca.  (Lake Titicaca is the highest navigatable lake in the world at 3800 m altitude).  Our transport to the boat was via local tri-shaws and was a huge adrenalin surge – Brian didn’t need his regular caffine hit that morning! 

The first islands we visited were the famous floating reed islands.  We had a demostration on how they are built, then a dress up party into some traditional native dresses, followed by some mandatory fleecing of the gringos for the native wares for sale.  On the second floating island they even had a cafe and telephone!  The islands also had holes in the centre where they stored the fish they caught (trout or kingfish) for consumption later to keep it fresh.

Next is was 3 hours to Amantani Island where we were met by our local family mother, Vilma.  In pairs we were distributed to a family to experience their way of life and they fed us and had rooms especially prepared for us.  Our family was very nice.  Both the mother & father were our age but with 3 children – son Kevin 14, daughter Emily 10 and another 2 year old daughter (unfortunately the fathers name and youngest daughters name were lost in translation).

Our families home was made of adobe bricks and the main house (where we slept) was also rendered.  The kitchen and dining room was in a seperate building (a little wood fire stove where our mother patiently prepared our meals) and of course a seperate bano (toilet).  The buildings were all built by our father who’s main job was agriculture.  They houses had solar power and the father was building a new toilet and shower building.  Our bedroom had 2 single beds with 4 blankets each.  They were of natural fibres and so heavy that I needed Brian to help get them off me in the morning.  I think I was 5 inches slimmer side ways in the morning.

Some of the highlights were:

• Walking up to the peak of Pacha Tuta (father) mountain at 4100 m altitude with a 360 degree view of Lake Titicaca at sunset (we’ve uploaded the pictures of this, it was an amazing sight)
• Watching the mothers/ladies knit as they walked or herded sheep with up to 5 needles at one time
• 6 a side Soccer at approx 3800 m – Peru vs Sweden backpackers.  The Swedes had about 50 interchanges and so were kicking the Peru teams butt.
• Another dress up the gringos opportunity but this time for a local blue light disco (except you could buy beer if you wanted).  Lots of laughs and weezing when you are dancing at approx 4000 m altitude with all the heaving traditional native clothing on.  Brian & I had fun dancing with our mother Vilma and little sister Emily.
• Our baby sister being in awe of the tall giant gringo with his 8 day growth beard (most native men do not have any facial hair).
• Lunch the second day on a cliff looking over the Lake, eating fresh trout wondering what the poor people were doing.
• When we got back to Puno having a shower and bath and celebration dinner with our tour group as we were all parting ways the following day.

We are currently in Lima airport waiting for our flight at 00:35.  Not long now till boarding so hopefully that brings our trip up to date.  This is Team Kealey signing out from “God’s Rock Garden” aka Peru until Rio !!  When my baby …..