Puno and Lake Titicaca
The Lake Titicaca tour must be one of the most beautiful ones we took. At Alberto's nephew's request, Alberto and Mark first started early with a presentation to 25 or so hotel staff on team coordination across geographic distance. We were then take to the hotel dock where the fastest boat in the Titicaca Lake operated by the Peruvian Navy's Coast Guard. We enjoyed the beautiful ride (see picture of Luis, Delphine and Alberto)
We first went to Taquile Island which is about 1.5 hours away. We docked in the back end of the island and started our 1,500 ft ascent to the top of the hill where the locals live in the island. We enjoyed gorgeous views and were lucky to found the locals in festive clothing dancing in the square because it was their annual patron saint's day (San Santiago). Coincidentally, Delphine was dressed just like the high society local ladies.
Lot's of shopping (go Lynn, Mark) and picture taking (go Mike sir Snapalot, Alberto). On our way back we took a path by the front end of the island, but we first had to ascend another 500 ft or so. We then descended about 500 huge stone steps down to the dock. "Super Mark" ran most of the way, Mike, Luis and Cindy were somewhere in the middle, and Delphine, Lynn and Alberto were dead last far behind everyone else. in the middle with where the Coast Guard boat was waiting for us to take us to the Uros floating islands, another phenomenal experience. The locals claim that they live there but rumor has it that they commute to nearby Puno city by boat at night. In any case, the Uros are a full city built on floating wicker. Quite impressive.
Back in Puno we treated ourselves to a fabulous local dinner where Mark and Mike made the mistake of ordering guinea pig. They didn't know that the local dish is "cuy chactado" which is served with the whole guinea pig on the plate pounded flat with their teeth and claws pointing at you. Mark's face says "I can do this"; Mike's face says "this doesn't look good"; and Luis' face says "I am the best hotel host in the world but I am not responsible for what will happen next". Mike ate the whole thing and it tasted like chicken. Super Mark took a bite and had to run to the bathroom. It became evident that guinea pig was Super Mark's "cryptonite". 
However, later analysis left our evidence inconclusive because Super Mark had been chewing the coca leaves seen on little dishes on the table, which may have done him in. Aparently, these leaves have been there for days and they are only for decoration, but Super Mark had no fear for the dirt and pollution accumulated on the leaves. But being Super Mark, he recovered quickly and return to the table with a pale face. Mark had some oxigen at the hotel and recovered his full powers after a good night sleep. Oh, by the way, we ran into Ms. Talkalot and Ms. Talksolittle at the hotel.
We enjoyed the beautiful night views of Puno from our hotel and retreated to sleep for our land journey to Cuzco next day. First, another beautiful sunrise lake view from our hotel room.
The Lake Titicaca tour must be one of the most beautiful ones we took. At Alberto's nephew's request, Alberto and Mark first started early with a presentation to 25 or so hotel staff on team coordination across geographic distance. We were then take to the hotel dock where the fastest boat in the Titicaca Lake operated by the Peruvian Navy's Coast Guard. We enjoyed the beautiful ride (see picture of Luis, Delphine and Alberto)
We first went to Taquile Island which is about 1.5 hours away. We docked in the back end of the island and started our 1,500 ft ascent to the top of the hill where the locals live in the island. We enjoyed gorgeous views and were lucky to found the locals in festive clothing dancing in the square because it was their annual patron saint's day (San Santiago). Coincidentally, Delphine was dressed just like the high society local ladies.
Lot's of shopping (go Lynn, Mark) and picture taking (go Mike sir Snapalot, Alberto). On our way back we took a path by the front end of the island, but we first had to ascend another 500 ft or so. We then descended about 500 huge stone steps down to the dock. "Super Mark" ran most of the way, Mike, Luis and Cindy were somewhere in the middle, and Delphine, Lynn and Alberto were dead last far behind everyone else. in the middle with where the Coast Guard boat was waiting for us to take us to the Uros floating islands, another phenomenal experience. The locals claim that they live there but rumor has it that they commute to nearby Puno city by boat at night. In any case, the Uros are a full city built on floating wicker. Quite impressive.
Back in Puno we treated ourselves to a fabulous local dinner where Mark and Mike made the mistake of ordering guinea pig. They didn't know that the local dish is "cuy chactado" which is served with the whole guinea pig on the plate pounded flat with their teeth and claws pointing at you. Mark's face says "I can do this"; Mike's face says "this doesn't look good"; and Luis' face says "I am the best hotel host in the world but I am not responsible for what will happen next". Mike ate the whole thing and it tasted like chicken. Super Mark took a bite and had to run to the bathroom. It became evident that guinea pig was Super Mark's "cryptonite". 
However, later analysis left our evidence inconclusive because Super Mark had been chewing the coca leaves seen on little dishes on the table, which may have done him in. Aparently, these leaves have been there for days and they are only for decoration, but Super Mark had no fear for the dirt and pollution accumulated on the leaves. But being Super Mark, he recovered quickly and return to the table with a pale face. Mark had some oxigen at the hotel and recovered his full powers after a good night sleep. Oh, by the way, we ran into Ms. Talkalot and Ms. Talksolittle at the hotel.
We enjoyed the beautiful night views of Puno from our hotel and retreated to sleep for our land journey to Cuzco next day. First, another beautiful sunrise lake view from our hotel room.
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