Our Great Adventure: Islas Uros Day 276 21/06/2015

The festivities continued all night and were still going when we woke up with drums playing and people singing. They certainly know how to party in Peru especially for the winter solstice! After breakfast we walked back down to the port to get the ferry to Islas Uros. We bought tickets and paid the tax before boarding the rather dodgy looking boat. Islas Uros is one of 50 floating islands, built using layers of buoyant totora reeds that grow in the shallow waters of Lake Titicaca. The islands are inhibited by Aymara speaking indigenous people who began their floating existence centuries ago to isolate themselves from the aggressive Collas and Incas. The several hundred people who still live on the islands make their homes, boats and crafts from the reeds, constantly replenishing the top as they rot away. The boat journey took just over 30 minutes sailing through reeds to arrive at Islas Pachamamba opposite Islas Uros. It soon became evident that we hadn't travelled on the ferry but had in fact booked a tour as we were deposited and given an introduction to the island by one of the residents. The ground was soft and springy, swaying as boats sailed passed. Unfortunately the introduction was in Spanish and Simon managed to pick up most of it so he could translate to Diane as she was completely oblivious to what was being said. After declining the opportunity to buy local handicrafts we boarded a reed made boat to travel across to Uros, pushed along by a small motor boat. Sat up on the high chairs it was actually a very pleasant way to travel despite having to pay an extra S8 each for the experience. On the main island we climbed the look out tower and had a look at the handicrafts before boarding our boat to take us back to Puno. The islands are interesting and it's amazing that they float but the trip was extremely touristy with the commercial impact obvious. There's very little area where you can actually walk around with the communities being based around the shore line and to be honest you'd be a bit concerned that you might fall through the reeds! On the journey back we were stopped by the Peruvian coastguard. We weren't really sure why although it could have simply been a routine stop. What was interesting was just before we were stopped the passengers sat outside were given life jackets and then asked to sit in the cabin. After checking papers and asking various questions which seemed to centre around carrying meat we set off again and were back in port just after 1200. Diane was keen to visit Isla Taquille tomorrow although today's experience had put us off a little bit. It looked like the ferry (if it was a ferry) left at 0645 which we both agreed was a bit too early. We walked back to the town centre and had a look at the tours on offer. They all included shows and markets so we decided to give it a miss. We had lunch at the Innkas Cafe (not a patch on Jack's) and headed back to the hotel, enjoying an afternoon nap and looking at transport options to get from Lima to Quito. The flights are ridiculously expensive but it doesn't look like we'll have time to get the bus (which takes a day and half) and get to Quito on time for a Galapagos trip that looks very interesting and is heavily discounted. In the evening we had a tasty meal at La Casona, a Peruvian restaurant on the main street. Town was quiet as we walked back to the hotel and we were hopeful of a peaceful night.