What a few days!

The bus journey to Puno was an absolute breeze, six measley hours, do they not know we're hardcore 22 hourers? It was strange though because 3 hours in we all had to get off the bus and get a boat across Lake Titikaka (the largest, highest navigable lake in the world) because it would have taken 4 hours to drive around the edge but only half an hour to cross it. We all got off prepared to take our bags off but were told to leave them on. We all got on the boat a bit worried about our bags on the bus that was driving around the edge, but NO once we got across the lake, we see our bus, balanced on a little boat, chugging across the lake! Amazing. The hotel in Puno is amazing, it has a bath and we have a double bed EACH! We went on an orientation walk of Puno...Peru is much more polished than Bolivia, but people beg much more openly. We went for yet another lovely meal, the difference this time being the whole group were out, all 15 of us, so it was really nice. When we got back to the room however, Gem wasn't feeling so good, and saw her meal again...7 times. Lets say she became very friendly with our toilet...thankfully it was a nice bathroom.

The next morning (thursday) Gem thought she'd seen the worst of her vomitting spell, and we set off in Peruvian taxis to the dock where we were catching a boat to the Uros floating reed islands. The taxi howver was actually a man on a bike pushing us along in a little carriage. It was so much fun, definately an experience, but slightly bumpy for Gem...especially followed by a boat! The uros floating islands are amazing though. They literally take some muddy root of about 3 metres and tie them all together to create a base, pile a load of reed on top, and anchor it. The whole island is made of reed, the houses, kitchens, bathrooms! We got taken into the houses by some of the women, who dressed us up before allowing us to buy some of their very unique tapestry. They then sang us a song before we set off on the boat again for the Amantani island (not made of reeds) where we would be spending the night.

When we got to Amantani, we were put in pairs, Gem and I together of course, and sent off with our Quechua "mothers" for the evening. We took presents, practical ones such as rice and pasta for the adults, and toys for the children, and they cooked us lunch which was amazingly filling, before walking us up a huge hill to a football pitch. We struggled with the walk because of the altitude, 4000 metres above sea level, and then had a very entertaining football match against the locals, who ran rings around us because they're used to the altitude. Our game plan was to not run! Lol. Once the match had ended, we walked up to the highest point of Amantani Island to watch the sunset over Lake Titikaka, pretty impressive, before walking back to our house for dinner with our families.

After dinner, our families dressed us up in the traditional outfits and took us to a FIESTA dance. The dances lasted 30 minutes each, and were very strenuous, especially at altitude, but our families gave us little choice. The experience was definately once in a lifetime though. Obvioulsy everybody collapsed in bed that night and slept like logs! We were up at 6.30 and served with a breakfast of pancakes before setting off to Taquile island, not to be mistaken for Tequila. Once off the bus we did an hours uphill walk (apparantly we're getting trained up for the inca trail) and were taught about the people of Taquile, who are self sufficient and all wear different hats, belts and dresses depending on their marital status. We then walked further for a lunch of trout (I had omelette, but wished I like fish, because it looked amazing). It had been caught that morning from the lake. Straight after dinner we had a boat to catch back to Puno, so had to walk down 530 steps to the harbour. We spent the three hour journey sunbathing on the roof, but once we got off the boat, it appeared Jess had what Gem had the previous day.

We're just gonna grab a quick bite to eat tonight, probably pizza in the room, while we watch 90210 (old and new man) and of course Greys Anatomy. Our hotel in Puno has the best tv channel. Catch you all later. We're off to Cuzco tomorrow, where we have three days getting used to the altitude before setting off on the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu. :D Night night. Love you all. xxxxxx