Puno and the Yavari |
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Puno is a small port town on the shore of Lake Titicaca. It is 3830m above sea level and is the gateway to Bolivia. it was founded on 4th November 1668.
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Puno is a small and compact town, with a population of 102,800 people. During it`s peak season, between June and August it see´s hundreds of visitors a day traveling to the islands of Lake Titicaca (more on that with My next report) and crossing the boarder of Bolivia. Very few people spend any time exploring Puno itself, which has a lively night life, with all the locals out and about.
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Puno has some very good and cheap restaurants, and some have a cauldren at the door so visitors can warm there hands before eating. there are a number of bars in town that are worth a visit, including Ekeko´s with up to the minate sounds or Kimizaraky Rock Bar, which is very friendly and layed back.
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A visit to the Yavari, the oldest steamship on Lake Titicaca is a must when in Puno. She was built in England in 1862 and was carried piece by piece over the Andeas by mules, which took 6 years. The captain Carlos Saavedra is very passionate about the Yavari, and when he found out is was from Bristol, England gave me a private tour and showed me differant part that were built in Bristol. He had visited Bristol while he was in the Puruvian navy.
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The Cathedral has a great facade, but is very drab inside. For a great view of Puno and Lake Titicaca a walk up to Huajsapata Park is a must, if a bit of a slog to get up there as it stand on a hill with a statue of a Inca king on it.
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I stayed at the El Manzono hotel which was recommended to me. the rooms are spacious and carpeted, and for 30 soles about 6 pound a night, with private bathroom and breakfast included was a bargain. The El Manzona has small court yard and a roof terrace that has a great all round view of Puno.
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Published on Tuesday June 10th, 2008 by fiftynotes
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