Our journey from Ariquepa to Puno was different and in some way more enjoyable than previous trips for two reasons. The hotel owner booked us on a different bus company, most probably to save money. Cruz del Sur is the bus company all foreigners use. As we have up to now. Julsa today’s bus turned out to be a newer one, and we were booked in the 1^st class downstairs: 12 very large leather seats as opposed to 48 upstairs. In the past we had thought that the top floor had a better view, but not so, the  large panoramic  picture windows gave us  uninterrupted views at ground level. The ride was more comfortable as we were not swaying from side.

 As we left the desert behind the scenery looked more like Scotland on a grandeur scale.

Looks like an old fashioned duvet      Corrals for sheep                                     Intense blue lakes littered with Flamingos

As we approached Titicaca lake the plain opened up and Adobe villages came into view, surrounded by fertile land. Obviously we were into farming communities with fairly primitive working methods. The farmer behind a plough pulled by a cow with the wife sowing at the back. It looked still a very hard life but not as harsh as the desert.

  Typical adobe (mud bricks dried in the sun) house

At times the bus goes too fast to take pictures and therefore I shall describe to you few amusing scenes and let your imagination take over.

Juliaca is an unimpressive, dirty, extremely noisy settlement but it cannot be avoided as it is the first town out of Puno towards Cusco. If one flies to Titicaca, it is to Juliaca’s airport. It reminded us of some African towns; dusty, chaotic with absolute mayhem. Hundreds of rickshaws taxis going in all directions

We arrived at a roundabout where 4 billiard tables were set up permanently with teenagers playing snooker! An alternative to planting shrubs or flowers….

A few Yards along  a bridegroom was riding a large motorbike with his bride sitting side saddle, fully dressed with a long glitzy bridal gown with flowing veil and no one in tow.  

Next we passed the large University of Tourism, Architecture and Industrial engineers. What did the students think of it all? No doubt they will get great inspiration and vision through this mist of chaos!

  Rickshaw taxis                   Waiting for Godot

Puno is just a cross road for travellers en route between Cusco and Bolivia or Chile. It is not an interesting place, yet the town is immensely rich in Tradition and has a fascinating history. The Pukara Culture emerged here 3000 years ago with the better known Tiahuanuco culture dominating the Titicaca basin between 800-1200 AD.

Puno is famed as the Folklore Capital of Peru and is famous for its music and dance.

It has a pretty Plaza de Armas.

Mr Fix it got the Hotel totally wrong. It looks more like a East European prison. A definite thumbs down. Still we are leaving very early tomorrow morning!

At breakfast we meet two young English girls who had just arrive from Bolivia and told us that this was the best hotel they had stayed so far. I guess we are not true backpackers  yet.

Our first view of Titicaca Lake               Novel drying line                              PUNO!