11-09-2011
The visit to the islands started with a rickshaw ride. It was a fun ride with us trying to race against each other. Then a boat ride and we finally got to the floating islands of Uros. They were reed islands initially but during the floods of 1986 people cut off the roots to prevent them from going under. They are more of a tourist attraction now than anything else. Each island is decorated quite lavishly with reed sculptures, everything is made of reeds, including houses, furniture and boats. They have solar panels for electricity and light fires with a lot of caution. The islands are made by roots of the reeds cut off from lake, tied together, piled with crisscrossed reeds and anchored with stones. Learnt about the Quechua and Aymara people both came under the Incas later. The hats they wear differentiates not only the tribes but also the single from the married people. A lot of handicrafts were on sale and this is their main source of income.
Crossed the borders quite easily, even got more days than I wanted to stay in Bolivia ( the man first gave me thirty and then decided to stamp it again for sixty days). We got into Copacabana in daylight. Jeevan and I decided to explore the small town. Climbed the Santa Catalina hill, to get a good view of the town, the lake and the surrounding islands. Next was the cathedral, massive for such a small town and with pretty tiles on the roof.
Had a horrible Thai curry for dinner, filled with bananas and raisins.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
No comments:
Post a Comment