Taquile Island

Thursday morning as we left the hotel the street was lined with several rickshaws. If only we could take a ride in one of those. Randy said for sure we will have to rent one when we are back in Puno. Then we were told they were here to take us to the marina. So cool as we rode through the wet streets of Puno. Arriving at the port we purchased groceries to give as gifts to our homestay family later in this evening. $5 for sugar, pasta, coffee, rice, milk, 3 apples and 3 oranges.

The next 2.5 hours were spent travelling by boat across Lake Titikaka to Taquila island. A very quaint island where the inhabitants work in a cooperative to make their island successful. The woman weave the wool and the men knit the clothing for both their personal use and sale to the tourists. AsAt one point there was a sign that indicated women and men knitting. LOL..equal opportunity was coming to the island. To reach the plasa we climbed stairs for 30 minutes taking numerous stops along the way to catch our breathe and admire the scenery. The entire trail was made of large stones creating an amazing yet very steep path to the top of the mountain.Once we toured around the plaza we climbed a more gradual path for another 20 minutes before reaching the restaurant where we would have lunch. The best trout I have ever had in my entire life. Then it was time to desend the 500 steps back down the other side of the mountain to get back on the boat. The scenery was breathetaking! Going down was definitely easier on the heart but you still had to watch your step as the desent was steep. Every where you looked the habitants of the community worked the fields and catered to the tourists dressed in their traditional dress. Randy wanted to purchase the colorful belts the men men wore but we couldn't figure out how the kept them tied in place, so we passed on the opportunity to support the community.