Lake Titikaka

Lake Titikaka is higest naviagable lake in the world. On the bus we sang happy birthday to Mimi, Randy and anybody else who had a birthday in the near future.

Lake Titikaka is a man made floating  islands made of reeds and has temperatures between 47-50 degrees. The natives fish for trout and kingfish. The lake is 1/3 the size of Lake Superior. We are 12000 ft elevation. Hills are 22000 ft. 

There are 2000 people on the islands, no tax and no regulations. 

Posing on the reeds. 

People eat the reeds that the islands consists of—the taste is somewhere between cucumber and celery. 

I climbed all the way to the top to the observation tower for a great view. 

So did Randy!  

Since the island is made from reeds that rot away, every 3rd week they add another layer of reeds.

The solar panel is used for TV cell phones  and lights. It was neccessary to lift up the houses to add more reeds once a year. Before the occupants of the island marry they live together—Living together is accepted on the islands. 

The reed root is natural compost for farming.

After putting on a show for us, we were shown their huts and asked if we wanted to try on the dresses they wore. 

Most of us said no to trying on the clothes.

Later Mimi surprised us by coming out in the native dress   Wasington surprised Mimi with a Birthday cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to her once again.

Mimi and Pit in a Kodak moment. 

Some opted for a boat ride in a reed boat made especially for the tourists. 

After our tour of the floating islands we took a taxi to the Liberator Hotel to find the monument to James Orton, an explore and relative of the Jacobs family who died in 1870. The first the person we talked to didn't know if the monument was there, but a lady, the owner of the hotel, came up and said it was. She arranged for someone to take us to the monument spot. After many steps huffing amd puffing all the way ......Eureka!

A view of Lake Titikaka and Puno from the James Orton monument. 

The Hotel and our guide to the monument. After finding the monument and having lunch we decided on relaxing for the rest of the day. Our flight to Lima tomorrow will require a 5:30 wake up call.   We will have a final dinner an head home early (4:40 am) on the third. It has been a great trip!!

  

Ride to Puno

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We spent the day on an 8-hr bus ride. 

We did stop once to record  our highest altitude yet, 14215 ft. 

Once again the scenery cannot be captured by the camera's eye. 

Why I love cows is a mystery to me buy I may have to paint this guy. 

After getting to the hotel we did a city tour. Our hotel is dear this lit up cathedral at the Plaza de Armas. 

A Free Day in Cusco

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After such a full day yesterday we opted
out of the tours and made a plan to do some exploring on our own.

If you squint you can see me behind a fountain just down from ou hotel, Jose Antonio. 

 We went to the Inca museum that had som incredible 3d weavings.

Many interesting Incan sculptures and more. 

After the museum we stopped for a drink. My latte was served a little differently than I am accustomed to. 

The cafe was poured into the milk after it was served. No Sweet N Low here!

Now off to the San Blas District for art and Restaurants. What could be better!

Randy navigates the streets better than I. 

After lunch we continued our souvenir search we look like we are going on Safari but the sun is hot here and hats and sunscreen are recommended

Nooo, Nothing that says tourist about us!

We found many treasures, but my fave is Quechua Mamma & Quechua Pappa two stone Indians that will show our bathroom seves both men & women!

So I have a bathroom sign fettush, but you've got to admit they're cute!

Tonight —a dinner show with the group. 

With Music

This is our guide, Victor and John. 

We also saw some hot dancing. The male has a torch and is trying to light the white material, but she is shaking her booty so fast she kept this from happening. 

They got one of our group member....for a try. He too was uinsuccessful

Urubamba

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Today is a day without a morning tour. Urubamba is also called The Sacred Valley as it once served as a gateway to the jungle. 

R & I  took a 3-wheeled cab to the plaza for 3 soles. 

I got a lot of people shots with my Nikon to paint in the market. 

At lunch R asked for another menu and instead got the lunch special! The language here is catche (sp). Which is different than Spanish. 

We were charged a soles to take pictures of these sheep after we thought it was ok.  The people here are an enterprising lot. 

If you are employed 30% of your salary goes to medical care.  

Bar and Pottery Store

To make, the beer the corn is dried until it sprouts then they boil it and ferment the liquid for 3 days. What's left after straining is fed to the Guinee Pigs. 

The fermented liquid Mixed with strawberry juice left straight fermented liquid on the right.   

Beer game,Sapo. 

Throw coins into afrog for points. 

This potter who teaches at the school gave us a great demo. 

Machu Picchu

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We got a. 5:30 am  wake up call this morning to catch a train for Machu Picchu. 

They limit the number of visitors to 2500 visitors a day. We figured it brings in over $100 million dollars a year. 

Machu Picchu means old peak 7000 ft  an is the site of a royal hacienda.

Trust me the pictures don't do I justice I will post pictures from my big camera to Dropbox when I get home. 

  

Spanish came collecting gold. The Incas were forced to move to Bilcabumba.  In 1500 the last Incans were defeated. Harvard professor Hiram Bingham followed a rivet. The owner of resting place helped him find Machi Picchu. Two other families came before —there was Grafutti. But, in1911 Hiram

Bingham had the backing from the govt and national geographic that the previous explorers did not. 

The main destruction caused by over growth.

The temple areas were made from white granite from the mountain without mortar.  The stones were cut to fit together perfectly. Carved in steps indicated it was a holy place.

States of life were sky earth and underworld. The Incans didn't believe in heaven and hell but in reincarnation. It was there hopes they would come back to correct the mistakes they made in the previous life. 

This structure shows the Incas when to plant their crops with cast  shawdows similar to how a sundial tells time. 

Llamas were brought on to help maintain the grounds.

We made it to the top seeing magnificent views along the way. Now we're on the train that carries us out of the mountains. Then we have a bus ride to Cusco getting back at. 8 pm. Time for a Siesta. 

Even our guide, Washinton is tired. 

Next Stop Cusco

We have an hour flight to Cusco today.  Chinchero will be the first village. 

We had a Peruvian lunch there consisting of guine pig, tortillas, sweet potatoes, stuffed peppers and other native dishes. It's not what one is accustomed to but not bad. 

Storage in the side of the hills for crops. 

Nice shot of the Andees. 

Snow covered mountains

The native ladies gave a demonstration on how yard was spun dyed and made color fast. Lime juice changes the color Mineral, lemon juice and fermented urine was use to fix the colors in the fabric

Green barley is seen growing in the fields—food for the Guinness pig. Everyone in the country raises GP—food for the Peruvians. Poor little guys. 

They recycle tires to make sandals. 

Typica dress

Wool (bottom) vs alpaca (on top). The alpaca isn't particularly strong so they blend it. 

Statue of Pachacuti, the emperor 

No welfare system. If you don't work you don't eat. No alcohol. 

The homes are cheaper on the hillside than in town. No insurance everyone builds their own house and makes their own mud bricks. 

Anta Valley

Plant munya helps you breath better and adjust to the altitude

Munya for sniffing to alleviate altitude sickness. At 12500 ft. it was a little hard to breath and talk without coughing. Also for our ails we had an alcoholic drink made from Anise. 

Wash clothes and hair with a root

visit Oilantaytambo. 

During the Incan Empire this was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, known as the greatest Incan Emperor as he expanded the territory. Incan architecture is amazing. Overnight: Urubamba Sacred Valkey.