Up with the coos and down to the port in a rickshaw type of thing,a bench on the front of a bicycle,there has to be a road system here but I haven't fathomed it out yet,it would appear to be everyman for themselves and when you are in the front it isn't funny.

The railway tracks are numerous in Peru and cross the road frequently,we were just about catapulted out of the bench many a time,I shared it with the other Alison,she had hold of my leg so tightly that my feet were blue,it was a competition to see who could scream the loudest ,the driver kept saying,"I´m a very good driver" I´ve still to be convinced of that!!!I was very pleased to see the boat.

We did a bit of shopping to take to our families we were staying with on Taquile Island.The boat was just a little one that seated the six of us plus our guide,he was very good and told us about the history of the lake and it's people.

We stopped at an island around 12midday and climbed for about an hour to get to the habitated part,this was the highest we had been.Henri said it would be worth it as we were getting some fresh caught TROUT for our lunch, hud me back!!! actually it was grilled and I quite enjoyed it,so there you go.After lunch we walked down to the other side of the island and caught the boat,it was a lovely afternoon but the clouds soon gathered and the wind got up, the boat cut out twice with water in the engine and we were bobbing around like a cork,then we ran out of petrol and had to fill up in a mini storm,the girls were looking pretty green.

Eventually we hit land and were introduced to our mama's for the next 24hours.Alison and I stayed together and our mama was called Griselda and our papa was Allenandrew,lovely,lovely people.Allenandrew spoke Spanish,Griselda understood some Spanish but spoke Quechua, Henri had given us a lesson in some key phrases and it went down very well.

We walked round the Island or should I say up as that was the only way,that night we were to be dressed in the traditional costume and join the other visitors and islanders in the community hall for a dance,( wait 'till you see the photos)

We had dinner with the family in their kitchen, it was very dark and we got to sit at the table, the floor was a dirt floor and Griselda had cooked over some wood in an alcove in the corner.The dinner was maize soup,which was delicious and then their staple diet of potatoes.After dinner Griselda came to dress us,I dont know how many layers and bands she put round my waist and this was all on top of my thermals and jacket,we then had to climb up to the community hall,I was going light in the head,I thought this is how the Victorian ladies must have felt,I was never so glad to see a light in all my life,my heart was thumping and my chest was hoisted up under my chin.It was warm in the hall and then we started to dance,it passed,it was very enjoyable and it was nice to see how other people live and enjoy their lives, it made me feel very humble and I felt very privileged to have been allowed into their home and share some time with them.

You realise that material things in life mean nothing, it's people that count, especially your family,I really miss you all, cant wait to try my cooking skills out on you again,better get the alkazeltzer looked out!!! xx

Next morning we were up with the coos again and down to the wee port,we sailed for most of the morning in a tranquil lake and stopped off at the Uros Islands,these are the floating reed islands,we spent a while here chatting and being shown how they maintain their Islands,we were shown round their houses,absolutely fascinating.We had a sail in one of their reed boats,we passed a few other communities that live out here too.

In the late afternoon we headed back to Puno.We all went out to dinner with our GAP leader Ronnie and brought him up to date with our adventures.He did not come out on the lake with us as he was not feeling too good, I think he had picked up one of the girls bugs.

Next morning up with the coos again and heading for La Paz.