We got picked up and dropped at the jetty by mini bus. The jetty was rickety and the planks dared you to weigh more than 70kg. We loaded onto a cabin cruiser until the seats, the floor, the engine area at the back and the roof were jammed with people. Clearly the regulations strictly limit the passengers to however many arrive and can be squeezed on, and lifebelts are mandatory for nobody at all. And the water is freezing up here - you wouldnt last long.
Still more people arrived then we were redirected to a larger boat, which also filled beyond capacity. We set off at slooow speed, rolling sluggishly in the flat lake. Heaven help us if any sort of swell at all blows up during the 90 minute trip. Immediately, exhaust fumes filled the cabin - no ventilation at all. Lots of people "snoozing"? After a few minutes, they lowered the second engine - not qiote the warp to light speed that they got on Star Trek but we did chug along a bit faster. This is what you get for $5. The French woman was still whining at the back about where are the safe zheckets? They must have at least 3 safe zheckets for her children. United Nations etc etc.
At last we reached the island and J set off to scale the ridges in search of antiquities. I wrote some notes for a feedback report to Oasis and wandered across to the beach behind the jetty, where there were a few hippies camping on the sand in backpack sized tents. It was very serene and called for a somewhat overdue Lotus pic.
J writes: After arriving on the island late due to the slowness of the overcrowded boat I only had 2 hours to complete a walk that is 50 minutes one way. Hmmmm. Confusion when we arrived as to which way to head. Those that understood quick spoken spanish did ok and people headed in 2 different directions. I ended up following a group with a guide who headed to the museum, from where I could see the next bay and then I was able to understand my little map. I could see groups of people headin up a pathway on the farside so off I set. Through a pretty village of mudbrick houses, farm animals and terraced fields. Very good pathways and steps with views over several bays along the way. Got to the first site, pretty much just a viewpoint, got my breath back and could see the next site which was down a pretty steep hill. Can I make it in time?
Set off almost running and passing several groups of people. Got to what looked like a stone picnic table with stone stools. Overheard a guide saying that it was where humans were sacrificed. Lovely.
To the right of that was a rock outcrop with a low stone wall. A spanish guide was using a mirror to point out carvings and what not but I could not understand and did not have time to hang around and wait for an english speaking guide. (Will have to google for more info) Just a little further on was a substantial stone building, clinging on the the hillside. Multiple rooms and I managed to have a quick look and take some pics before I had to head back.
The majority of our boat are either staying on the island or trekking the length, that will take about 4 - 5 hours, on the crests of the hills in the blazing sun. That first hill going back was a trial and I got to the top breathless. Sucked it in and did a few jogs on the down wards slope. Took pics of the bays and village on the way. Hooray I made it in time to catch the boat.
Not many on the boat ride south. Stopped at the Inca staircase where they had a couple of swish catarmarans and a very interesting woven reed craft docked at one of them. A sacred spring gushes down next to the staircase. A pretty spot.
We then went to the next bay and had 10 minutes to explore the Temple of the Sun. Substantial stone building. Wish we had a guide to explain it all.
Maybe I was high on petrol fumes, but these treees look like two squirrels holding hands and kissing!!!
We returned to shore.
We still had no luck getting money out iof the only ATM in town but we have a few US$ and a few Chilean pesos to change. The usual dinner then an early night watching cable TV. They have the latest season of 2.5 men and a few other series apart from the usual Tv garbage.
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