18th May 2005 Another early start, this time we headed for the great Lake Titicaca. We took a days boat tour around the unique Islas Flotantea, of the Uros people. These are floating reed islands and are just amazingly built and last about 8yrs before they have to make a new one to live on. Each Island houses a family with several huts (& a TV). We were allowed to hop onto one of the Islands and met the Uros people, who have now basically set it up for tourists, a bit of shame, but thats how they make there money now, by selling hand made souvenirs. We then took a ride in one of there reed boats to another Island, which was fun! We then headed onto the Isla Taquile, the locals don't speak spanish but the native Quechuan. We took a 2km hike to the town square, which almost killed me - god help me on the Inka Trail!!! Passing Inca Terracing and local folk along the way. The men are often found knitting hats, which denotes there marital status and current/past social status, whilst the women appear to be farming, but all wear the traditional clothing! To get back to the boat we had to walk down 500 oddly spaced stairs, also nicknamed 'The Gingo Killer'if we have to climb up them rather than down! It was till tough though! I would like to know what these Inca's were thinking when they built them!!!