Kamisaraki...Waliki!!

I love riding motorcycles. I think it’s really the best place on earth. Open road, fresh air and a smooth ride. There’s a certain level of peace to it too. Nobody can reach you on a motorcycle. If your phone rings or a text or email arrive you cannot respond. You are truly disconnected. While this is all really good it’s also really good to stop every now and then and explore the world your traveling through. Shortly after lunch in Puno we were talking about a boat tour of the islands. I love boats and I was up for it.

Following a quick cab ride into town we boarded a floating bus full of other tourists to head the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca. Like our transportation the islands are also floating. The islands are made from cubes of Totora reeds which have been fastened together. The Uros tribe live out on the water well away from the lights of Puno. The Uros claim to have black blood which gives them immunity from things like the cold. We are greeted by Uros women and children in bright outfits calling out “Kamisaraki!” to which we reply “Waliki” as earlier instructed by our tour guide. This is the proper welcome as guest in their homes. Against the late day sun the contrast is nothing short of stunning. Stepping on to the island there isn’t much sense that you are actually on something that’s floating versus solid ground.

The children are most excited by our arrival offering handmade drawing of their world and other trinkets. They’re energetic, cheeky and full of life. The minute camera appears their excitement grows. Leaping, bouncing, climbing and waving they’re friendly and genuinely happy. Far from the modern world the islands have a magical and tranquil feel.

We board the "Uros Mercedes", a boat made of the same reeds as the islands themselves. It’s a two level boat we are told is capable of carrying 40 passengers. Fully expecting to swim back we all pile on. I’m sure the boat didn’t sit any lower in the water for all of us on it. Three little girls sing traditional and some English songs to the best of their ability. We applaud and cheer them along while their father works the single paddle that propels this vessel. Gian Franco decided to give the paddle a go and we abruptly stopped. The paddle was soon returned to the skilled hands of our island chief.

Back on board our floating bus we begin the slow ride back to Puno. On the horizon is a brilliant glow which is soon revealed. The moon’s rise over Lake Titicaca was like nothing I’d ever seen. It was enormous, brilliantly bright and clearer than ever. Passengers scramble up to the top deck to get a better look and attempt photos in the dark. The shimmer off the water is something I’d only seen in paintings before. As the moon climbs into the night sky the boat is awash in light. The steady drone of the diesel and the sounds of the water on the hull is a very suitable soundtrack to conclude another fantastic day on this great journey. I sit back, take it all in and count my blessings.