Puno, Lake Titikaka and the Bolivian Border Crossing

Yep so both of us were really hungover on the bus ride to Puno. Took most of the day and wasn´t really that interesting as we slept off the previous night mainly. Amusing part was Aussie Tim getting an attack of the squirts and having to stop the bus to relieve himself on the side of the road behind a building. All class. Got into Puno late in the afternoon and mucked around till dinner. Few beverages and games of pool over dinner were all good. We had our briefing for the Lake Titikaka trip and then hit the sack. Everything was closed in Puno as it was election day the following day, all the bars shut so people cant get hammered the night before and then vote which shows the level of faith the government have in the people. Amusing concept really. Anyway, was up early and off on the boat to our first stop, the Floating Islands. They are literally floating islands made up of some special dirt which floats as well as a whole lot of reeds. The materials last only a few months so the people are constantly rebuilding the islands as well as their houses. Had a wee demonstration on what their life is like on a daily basis and how they exist, was most interesting. Also got dressed up in the local gears and went for a ride on one of their reed boats, Anthony Corry especially looked quite dashing and was making outrageous eyes with local women at least twice his age. Scandalous. After that we set off to Llachon Peninsula for our homestay. We bought some gifts of sugar, milk and rice for the family we were staying with who immediately repaid us with a lunch of alpaca and potatoes. As it had been raining recently our family couldnt show us much of what they do on a daily basis so me and Corry explored a bit of the peninsula and then helped them to turn a few fields over by hand for a bit afterwards. We then had a big group dinner which we prepared ourselves with some of the locals helping, all the while dressed in the local getup. Few strange looking characters at dinner. Had a sleep after that then our family mother got us up to take us down to the wharf to set off for Taquil Island. Tried to take some photos with her but she was very shy. The boat, which I should mention was epicly slow, then chugged off to the Island, had a walk around there and got an explanation about the culture etc of the island, quite an interesting little place and definitely a unique way of operating, will spare you the details tho. Bit of lunch then back onto the boat to head back to Puno (3 hours). On the way a few of us jumped off the second level of the boat for a swim, Titikaka is fed by the Andes so it was reasonably fresh. Back at Puno we got our stuff together then went out for dinner at a really nice restaurant. We were entertained the whole night by various dances and pan flute bands and the food was top notch. Best lasagna ever (sorry mum) of beef, lamb and alpaca with Andean cheese. Went for a few cheeky drinks afterwards, Corry made it home much later than me... then up in the morning to head for Bolivia. The Bolivian border was an absolute joke. Could probably have walked straight through without anyone paying you any attention. Really I must say they were running a circus there. We got throught quickly enough and without much hassle. No guards or anything at the actual border and I´m pretty sure Bolivians and Peruvians wander on through each way all the time, nothing stopping them. Enough of that, hopped on the bus and set off to Copacabana (very different from the Brazilian one I´m guessing) - will have more on that in the next post. Pretty average place as you´ll find out so it was great to get to La Paz after. Magic place