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![\"p1110947\"](\"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/P1110947.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"p1110953\"](\"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/P1110953.jpg\")
<\/a>The islands have become quite touristy where the locals have become business people relying on the tourist boats to come organizing tours in their reed boats, demonstrations of the way they live and craft markets to sell their wares. It worked!\n
![\"p1110961\"](\"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/P1110961.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>relaxing in front<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>demonstration of how island is built and yes needs regular maintenance<\/p><\/div>\n
At Amantani<\/strong> we stayed with a local family (Aurora & Damien) where we got to experience some local traditions and customs. The community put on a party for all the tourists so we had to dress the part. Damien and Arora are on either side of us below. farming out back and great views<\/p><\/div>\n The color of the skirts indicate what community they are from on the island. A lot of the ladies sit in the community areas\u00a0spinning the wool into yarn.<\/p>\n some of the hosts from the community we stayed with relaxing in the main plaza<\/p><\/div>\n We hiked to the top of the hill and after a tiring climb in this altitude to the top we found Pachatata sanctuary, where special events are held & the amazing views over the island.<\/p>\n these people walk up here to tend to the crops, it was cold!<\/p><\/div>\n great views up here on a clear day<\/p><\/div>\n Needless to say the bar in the plaza was busy after with everyone wanting to get warm. Beer and Mu\u00f1a tea with alcohol! yes he’s knitting at a really pretty viewpoint<\/p><\/div>\n Here we also had a great view over Lake Titikaka back to Amantani in the distance. Lake Titikaka is the highest navigable lake in the world at an altitude of 3800m. Here we went to visit three islands; Uros, Amantani and Taquile. The ancient Uros were the owners of the lake who in the time of … Continue reading
\nThis was a rewarding experience seeing how these people live. Most people speak Quechua but luckily our family spoke Spanish as well and with the other couple that stayed here we could communicate. There are actually 10 communities scattered around the island (4000 people) who rotate taking groups of tourists in to help their community. The house where we stayed was very clean and quite big but had no electricity so it was back to the basics.
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\nTaquile<\/strong> is renowned for their knitted garments. The men actually knit the garments and can be seen all around the island knitting.
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