Lake Titicaca

At 3,800m Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and from all the bedrooms in our hotel, the plate glass windows give a splendid view.
We had a glorious day (does the sky look bluer at altitude?) for a cruise in our private boat. Through the reeds, bird spotting, to one of the famous floating reed islands constructed by the Uros Indians. It is very much a commercial venture, set up for tourists, but it is done with humour and a very welcoming manner and we did get to see the basic way they have lived for centuries. Reeds about 3m thick, floating on 17m depth of water at this point close to the shore. (How did Ian guess the depth exactly right?). It is strange walking on these reeds as you sink in 10cm and feel unsteady. All their houses looked newly built with their excellent technique but were they using them or slipping to the mainland overnight?!
We had talks, demos and songs before we looked at their goods for sale. Finally a ride in a reed boat - viking style.

The holiday was well organised by Voyages Jules Verne - we had great hotels, food and guides. We have been insulated from some of the poverty and potential petty crime that inevitably accompanies rich tourists in a poor country. We have seen something of the truly amazing world of the Incas and gazed on Machu Picchu.