Reed Islands of the Uros People

Today, after farewelling our host families, we boarded our boat and began our journey back to Puno. First, however, we took a small detour to visit the single most fascinating village I have ever seen - the Reed Islands of the Uros people. Their uniqueness is due to their contraction - they have been created from nothing; built entirely with the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake.

The lives of the Uros people are interwoven with these reeds. Partially edible, the reeds are also used to build homes, boats and crafts. The islands are constructed from many layers of the totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom, so the ground is always soft and springy.

Some islands also have elaborately designed versions of traditional tightly bundled reed boats on hand and other whimsical reed creations, like archways and even swing sets.

Intermarriage with the Aymara-speaking indigenous people has seen the demise of the pure-blooded Uros, who nowadays all speak Aymara. Always a small tribe, the Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the aggressive Collas and Incas.

After being welcomed onto one of the islands, we were given a short presentation by an older Uros man who explained to us about their history and way of life (with Joseph interpreting). My favourite 'fun fact' was that if there is a disagreement or feud between neighbours and they are unable to sort it out, they just cut the island in two and relocate!

We then went for a ride on one of their beautiful boats through some of the 'village' and met up with our boat further down the river. After returning to Puno we headed to the amazing mixology bar Pacha where we drank amazing cocktails and laughed at each other doing karaoke.

[Thank you to Lonely Planet for filling in the gaps in my memory re: Uros people!]