The Inca ruins are at 3,900 metres in the middle of rolling hills, with mountains in the distance. It is surreal to think this land is 400 metres higher than the Jungfrau mountain in Switzerland, which had seemed pretty high to us then. The ruins comprised burial towers and the local guide gave an interesting explanation of the religious beliefs (similar to Egyptian beliefs of reverence of the Sun God).
There was a good view of a large blue lake which the guide said was higher than Lake Titicaca. Mal enquired whether this meant this lake must be the highest lake in the world, and the guide replied not so: the present lake was just a "pond". He also said there is a higher lake in Chile, so we're confused.
The "pond"Back on the bus to go to Lake Titicaca for a boat trip to the floating reed islands where about 800 people live. It was a bit disconcerting to see cows, pigs, dogs and cats floating in the middle of a lake.
The floating villages are 30 mins by boat and cannot be seen from the shore. It was interesting sitting on masses of dried reed straw out on the lake with straw huts, straw boats, straw towers and of course the obligatory native artifacts and handicrafts (made of straw). Mal for one is a little over all this stuff being thrust at us constantly. But we bought a straw mobile. Nice picnic lunch there, and back on the boat to return to our hotel by 4pm.
We are in a different hotel tonight due to some mix-up in bookings, for which we have been given a free dinner in the hotel tonight. We are doubly pleased because our room is far superior, and twice the size.
Assuming Bolivia is not in flames tomorrow, the intention is for us to still go there, and hope a massive general strike is not called for Monday morning, stranding us. If it was possible, the tour group would rather skip Bolivia and go to Chile where we are not scheduled to spend much time. However, this would be too difficult to organise at short notice, so we shall see what happens. One must retain one's sense of humour in South America, learn to roll with whatever happens and stay cool!
Assuming Bolivia is not in flames tomorrow, the intention is for us to still go there, and hope a massive general strike is not called for Monday morning, stranding us. If it was possible, the tour group would rather skip Bolivia and go to Chile where we are not scheduled to spend much time. However, this would be too difficult to organise at short notice, so we shall see what happens. One must retain one's sense of humour in South America, learn to roll with whatever happens and stay cool!
According to some dude on the net (needs to get a life!) who has compiled the 'highest lakes in the world', there are 'lakes' and 'pools'. Bear with me here 'cos I'm sure you'll be educated! "Andes reports that Ojos del Salado Pool is 100 meters in diameter. If the lake is circular, this measurement means that the surface area is 0.785 hectares.
ReplyDeleteA true "lake" must occupy at least 1.0 hectares. ... If you need to calculate the size of a lake, pace around the edge of the lake, and count your number of steps. When you get back to a measuring tape, measure ten of your strides. I will calculate the surface area from that, and post your results here. It will also be helpful if you can estimate how close the pool is to circular".
All clear now? So, instead of fending off hawkers (and it DOES become tiresome, doesn't it?) you can indulge in the some 'lake' or 'pool' measurements! That the rest of your travelling companions will think you have lost the plot is neither here nor there.
Anyway, here's one site with the highest lakes (Titicaca comes in 9th, but - according to old mate above, the highest lake listed on this site is only classifed by him as a 'pool'.
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/highest-lakes-on-earth/5698
Bad footy weekend so far; Crows led 4-7 to 0-3 at quarter time and then got out early in the second to a 34 point lead. Then got overrun by the mongrels Port and lost by 35 points! Near 11 goal turnaround! Grrrrrrrrrr... Raiders lost to NQLD in Townsville so now propping up the table. North play Port this afternoon and, if we lost that, we too will be propping up the ladder. The Brumby Socialist Collective play this afteroon (Sunday).
Glorious wx here today; 26 degrees and a lovely autumn day. Garden is looking wonderful.
And, a notable cultural event in closing. Some Pommy female is coming out to AUstralia to write 'Collingwood The Musical' or some such. Hope it comes to Adelaide as I'll be buying tickets - NOT!!!