Hola, Well we thought we'd better say hello before we embark on our four day treck to Machu Picchu! After spending a good few days in Puno (Lake Titi) we thought we'd share our experiences of life on the lake. After strugling to find a boat we finally agreed to set sail with the "San Simon". Our first stop was the floating islands of Uros. Even having read before hand about the islands we still shocked when we first stepped on the floating reeds. It was just like a bouncy castle. In fact too bouncy in places. You really had to watch your step. The whole islands - houses, boats and seats are all made from the reed which grows a plenty on the lake. The people of Uros even eat part of the reed, something they call Uros Banana!! I don't think the people have ever tasted banana because this certainly doesn't taste anythin like it. Still we all happily munched it down as the locals watched us. This was probably a huge joke which they all laughed at after we'd left! Unfortunatly, or maybe fortunatly, we weren't allowed to spend the night. So we headed for the next island (which was solid as a rock) called Amantani. El capitano invited us to stay with his family and his wife picked us up from the wharf. An exhusting 10 minute walk, up hill with rucksacks on back and at about 4,000ft above sea level and we finally reached Casa Simon. Clara (Simon's wife) showed us to our room. It was more than we expected, especially when the lamb made an appearence! Our room was sectioned in half by a sheet. After an investigation we found that the other half was occupied by thousands of yam like vegetables and a happily grazing lamb. On spotting us the lamb decided to pay us a visit and even better left us a little gift as he peed on the floor next to our beds. Soon after arriving Clara was busy in the kitchen with her daughter Libia. They prepared a huge feast for lunch! Soup for starter and then some purple potatoes, carrot and tomatoe, an egg and of course Yams! Sadly the weather wasn't great but we went of to explore anyway, with strict instructions from Clara to be back at 5.30pm for dinner, a mere 2 hours after our late lunch. The island had some ruins at the very top of a very steep hill. We attempted walking all the way but were soon inerupted by a group of 3 young boys playing the pan pipes. They played and sang for us and walked behind us the whole way! We were so out of breathe and the altitude was killing us. We were both so amazed at how much energy and how much fitter than us these kids were. We gave them some biscuits in the hope to make them fat and unfit like us!!! ;) Before the snow came we headed back to Casa de Simon and found more of Clara's children. Vickey (the eldest) and Yanet and their only son (with his blue suade shoes) Elvis. Clara was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner by candle light, one candle light! and Libia helping by chopping the veg with a very sharp knife. The kitchen was very dark and very smoky from the fire come hob. It was a beautiful meal and even better that we got to experience how the locals live. The next morning we set sail for Taquile with our new friends that had been travelling the islands with us, Richard (South African Doc), Mark (Scottish New Zealander) and Robert and Josee (French Canadians). We entered Taquile via the back door to save on the 2 soles admition charge. The captain thought he was doing us a favour by saving us 20p but 45 mins in to the climb we would have all happily paid $20.00 to avoid the steep climb. Taquile was much more touristy than Amantani but still very nice. We looked around the square and were entertained by the children. It was a great afternoon. But soon we were back on our way and this time the rather steep climb up became the rather steep climb down. A 5 hour trip on the roof of a boat and we were back in Puno. It was an amazing few days, something that we will never forget! We're now in Cusco, and Cusco is beautiful, tomorrow we set out on our trail. It's been anything but smooth sailing organizing the trail but fingers and eyes crossed all goes well. We're desperatly hoping for some real fatties (please no comment) on the Hike with us. We'll let you know how it goes - just off to get our supplies: toilet paper, chocolate, coca leaves and a porter strong enough to carry us both!!!! Hasta Liago Amigo's xxxxxxxxxxxxxx