As we climbed away from Arequipa toward Puno and Lake Titicaca, the iconic volcano slowly shrinks on the horizon.
Some water and livestock and a train track as we keep climbing.
Some wild patterns of rock walls on that hill in the background.
A lake at the summit. Lake Titicaca is a bit downhill from here.
Our first view of Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Pumo resident
More Puno residents
Just arrived and already headed out into the waters of Lake Titicaca.
Moving slowly, we approach a section with a lot of reeds.
And then a long waterway through the reeds.
Finally the manmade floating islands come in sight. There are over a hundred of them and over 2,000 people living out here.
On the islands, reeds are everywhere. Some places you step are squishier than other places.
The native people on these islands are called Uros. We’re at 12,500 feet above sea level.
A bench in the foreground and I think an outhouse in the background.
Inside one of the small one room reed houses. Basically a bed, a place for clothes, a light bulb and a radio/music player.
Many of these small houses get their power from solar panels.
Children grow up here and learn how to take care and maintain these floating islands.
Most islands have a lookout tower. In addition to cell phones they can communicate to other islands from this vantage point.
This – believe it or not – is a fishing hole. Reminds me of ice fishing. We saw a youngster catch about 5 fish through this hole in about 30 minutes.
Condor reed art
Heading back to relatively solid ground
Puno harbor
Narrow streets of Puno. Many of the cities have narrow streets. They deal with it by making them one way and no parking.
Charlotte happy we found a good restaurant. (Don’t tell her our hotel will lose electricity around midnight and we won’t see electricity again until we are far, far away.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCGB3HlpoU&feature=youtu.be

On the train from Puno to Cusco – passing through a town.