A surreal, dreamlike energy abounds in
Lake Titicaca. It is evident that the early inhabitants were positive,
happy and spiritual people. When living these feelings, it is easy to
make a distinction between the positive and the negative. Although, human
sacrifices were common, and an offering to their god meant death, good
vibrations are all that remain. Once home to the Inca Empire, and still
home to many descendants, Lake Titicaca is a powerful and empowering setting
that allowed the natives to live a peaceful and separate life away from
the mainland empire. Stretching more than 75 kilometers across and over
200 kilometers in length, the lake truly seems oceanic. Lake Titicaca
is the world's highest navigable lake. There are many myths and stories
about the lake, and it is certain that there is still much to be discovered.
(Above Left) Reed boats, decorated
with beautiful art work, stand out on the island of Uros, which is the
first stop once leaving the dock at Puno.
The Uros islands consist
of 50 floating reed- woven masses. The islands were added to, during the
Incan period, and some evidence suggests that the early people might have
inhabited these floating fortresses. Of the 50 islands that exist, only
15 are open to tourism. The reed boats were the main form of transportation
throughout the lake and held a capacity of up to 25 people. (Above
Right) The captain paddles the boat by making a pendulum motion with his
ore, which creates a propeller like motion in the water.
Sunset on the island of Amantani, ruins
of Pachatata in the foreground. This was the center of the Inca
Cross discussed below.
The second stop to the northerly islands
took two and a half hours by boat, and provided quite a welcoming sunset.
The island currently has eight communities and holds 5,000 native inhabitants.
We were lucky to stay with one of the natives and share in a very special
evening full of dancing, and listening to many legends about the island.
It was here that we learned the significance of the Incan cross.
As always, the culture still leaves us in awe.
The happy natives with their welcoming
smile and pleasant demeanor make Amantani island memorable.
The third island on our northerly visit
of Lake Titicaca is full of ruins and cultural traditions. This
little boy demonstrates a feeling we have all had...especially when traveling.
One story that everyone loves to share
is of the great under water explorer, Jacques Cousteau. In 1975,
he developed a research project in Lake Titicaca in order to discover
the hidden rooms of gold and silver. The rooms, as the legend goes,
were buried somewhere in the lake. When the Spanish began their
conquest of the Inca Empire, they ordered the Incas of Lake Titicaca to
give them one room filled with gold and two other rooms filled with silver.
If the Incas followed their request, their lives would be spared.
To this date, the rooms have not been discovered; although, many feel
it is a well-kept secret by the inhabitants.
For Cousteau's expedition, he ordered several
underwater devices and a submarine to carry out this task. His searching
led to nothing. No rooms of gold or silver were found, but
he did welcome another discovery of the Lake. Cousteau discovered
the Underwater Toad. Never before found any where on earth, the
toad was a unique find. It stretches nearly 60 inches in length.
The toad is an underwater giant!
At the Copa, Copacabana. Copocabana,
Bolivia, is the nearest town to the border of Peru. Copocabana, Bolivia
is not to be confused with Copocabana, Brazil. It is still good
reason to celebrate, though.
(Above Left) The ride out to the southern
islands on Lake Titicaca passes through amazing geological uplifts in
the water. (Above Right) Isle de Sol taken with the mountains
of the Cordillea Real in Bolivia in the Background.
The most impressive ruins on the northern
portion of Isle de Sol.
From the southern part of the island,
this is about a four hour, one way hike, at 11,000 feet. There exists
two simple pathways to follow and once arriving at either side of the
island it is quite obvious which pathway goes where. For this, one
doesn't need a map, but it will feel more comfortable asking around.
For a day hiking trip, Isle De Sol is perfect. Great views, hot
sun, two unique beach fronts, several ruins, and ample opportunity to
see a great sunset await the visitor. We highly recommend making
it a day for hiking.
The Inca Cross (Above Left), was considered
symbolic during the Incan period.
It was later learned that
it was a map for the Incas. When all the lines are connected on
the outside borders of the Inca Cross, it forms a octagon. Drawing
a line through the center, and connecting the points, one finds that it
can be used as a measuring device between geographic locations.
In this case, the cities of Pubulcara, Cusco, the Island of Amantani (Pachatata),
Tiwanika and Potosi are all in direct alignment and are all equidistant.
Pachatata being the center point of the Inca Cross (Picture in early
portion of this feature, during sunset). This point gave us very strong
feelings and as one said, "I felt like I was dreaming", while
he visited this area. (Above Right) The impressive mountain
range of the Cordillea Real in Bolivia.
The Rock of the Puma sits overlooking
the Inca Cross and a table that was used for human sacrifices.
The Puma was the keeper of this area. Looking strait at it, one
can see the upper indentations of the eye, the lower left ear that stands
out, the gaping mouth with the two nostrils above it, and the tail on
the far right. We noticed while staring at the rock that the Puma
became more evident as different light hit it.
The sun sets on the lake and our
view from Isle de Sol is slowly darkened.
Leaving Lake Titicaca you carry the strength
of it with you. Although, it isn't a entirely physically demanding
journey, it feels like an inner rest and rejuvenation.
*Feature written and photographed by Phillips,
July 2001. Information regarding Lake Titicaca, exploration and
discoveries of island dwellings and other historical information was supplied
by Alina Guides.
© 2000 Globetrotteradventures.com Inc
| GUIDE
NOTES AND DIRECTIONS:
Lake Titicaca is unique because to see all of it,
it must be explored from both sides and ultimately two different
countries. Arrangements can be made easiest from Puno and
Copacabana. ALINA
TOURS,
LIMA
343. Located in the heart of Puno
TELEFAX:
054-357139, 054-364723, CELL: 921038
EMAIL:
alinatours@punonet.com
alinatours@terra.com.pe |