Our last update had us just arriving in Puno (a city on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca). We spent a few days in Puno exploring and battling some stomach issues (suprisingly Marsh's stomach and not Shaina's). Puno was interesting but the main reason we were there was to visit the islands of the lake. Once Marsh was feeling up to it, we hoped on a boat and took the 4 hour chug across the lake to Amantani Island.
Pulling out of Puno on our boat with another boat behind us
On the way to Amantani, we stopped at a "town" constructed in the middle of the lake on floating islands made by the locals. It was interesting to see how they construct the islands out of reeds and soil and how they live their lives in the middle of the lake (most are fisherman).
The floating island we stopped at on the way to Amantani Island
Once arriving on Amantani, we were paired up with a local family to spend the night (there are no hostels on the island). The family was super nice and the living quarters were better than we expected! After settling in, we went exploring on the island and hiked up to one of the island's peaks to see some old Incan ruins. The views from the top were outstanding as you had a panoramic view of the entire lake!
Marsh at the Incan ruins on Amantani Island
On the way down from the ruins, we passed by the cemetery where some locals were celebrating The Day of the Dead (Nov 1-2). The locals all head to the cemetery to visit their dead loved ones and celebrate with them with flowers, food, and drink.
Locals celebrating at the cemetery on the Day of the Dead
In the evening, the local families hosting all the tourists on the island threw a fiesta for us. Everyone got dressed up in the local traditional clothes and went dancing!
Shaina with 2 members of our host family - Maria and her daughter
The next morning we made our way back to Puno, and the following day we took the bus to Bolivia! We made our way to the town of Copacabana which is Puno's Bolivian equivalent. From Copa, we took a boat to the Island of the Sun on the Bolivian side of the lake. According to Incan legend, the Island of the Sun is the birthplace of the Sun, the Moon, and the first two Incans! The island was very laid back and the scenery was amazing. We stayed for two nights relaxing and exploring the island on foot.
The beaches on the north side of the Island where we spent our first night
Local kids flying kites on the beach (a popular activity on the windy island)
A view from the South Tip of the Island
Marsh at a sacrificial table built by the Incans
A view of the Bolivian mountain range (Cordillera Real) across the lake
The view from our hostel's "patio" where we spent our second night
The sunset on our second night
After 2 great days we left the island and headed back to Copa, where we jumped on a bus and took the 3 hour ride to La Paz (the capital city of Bolivia). We have spent two days running some errands and checking out the city. So far Bolivia has been great. Everything is so cheap! Tomorrow, we are heading to Sorata (a small town in the Cordillera Real) to do some hiking before returning to La Paz for some mountain biking and then a trip into the Amazon Rainforest!
On another note, you may or may not know that Marsh has chosen to participate in "Movember" by growing a mustache to raise money for Prostate Cancer. To see pics of his mustache (there are 2 posted thus far) or to donate to the cause visit: http://www.movember.com/m/1855888
Hope everyone is doing well at home!
Love Marsh & Shaina
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