I'm in Puno, gateway to exploring Lake Titicaca. This was a birth of cultures in
the area covering Boliva, Peru. Ancient peoples were here before the Incas came
in 1400. Its an interesting city on the lake.
But left Arequipa Saturday morning, amazing flight to the city of Juliaca, an
hour or so north of Puno. I had arranged a private tour of an ancient Inca
burial ground on the way down to Puno. It was great, greeted at the airport
with a sign BILL WILSON. Young man, Giespe, with full uniform on. I was wisked
off in private car, with private guide and driver. Sylvia my guide, cute
Pervian and native of Puno, and Driver. Sylvia took me over dirt road about 15
minutes to the site called Sillustani. It is an ancient burial site for the
Incas and Kolla peoples who predated the Incas. Incredible Inca carved stone
structures, that housed mummified bodies. The leaders selected the best of
their wives and friends for a sacrificial death..then mummified and buried as a
gift to the gods. Sillustani means running your finger nail thru a crack in the
stone, thats how good the masons were. It was amazing but only the begining of
my look at Inca carved rocks. After the tour I was dropped off at my B&B style
hotel.
The second phase of the tour was all day today. Private guide again, boat trip
out to see the Uros people who live on floating reed Island. yes they float.
About 2 meters thick of reeds layed out. There are about 24 island, 1000 people
and each island has large families. They live off tourist trade, except for 5
islands that are still private.
Took a ride on floating reed boat.
Then an hour boat ride out to Taquille island. A steep long hike about 500 m up,
aand at 12,000 feet altitude its a trip!! Took me about a day to get
acclimitized..light head ache.. but locals told me to drink Mate de coca..thats
right coca leaf tea. It does the trick
I was with 3 other tourist, from Alanta Georgia. We visited a private village,
only us 4, it was wonderful. Saw how they lived, ground quinoa grain, and had
lunch with them The Taquille people wear the native dress all the time.
Then boat ride back and tour of city and stop by market. Tomorrow I take all day
bus along the Andes to Cuzco. Will be there a few days before going on 4 day
Inca Trail trek. Talk to you again from Cuzco. I'll try to attach some pictures
again
Bill
