There are about 42 floating islands that make up Los Uros. The main industry is tourism along with the sale of Totora Reeds in Puno. Our tour guide gave us a great 20 minute introduction to the islands.
The island history predates the Incas. Our tour guide said that the islands were great places to hide from both the Incas and the Spanish so they have survived the woes of the land based peoples of Peru. They do have their problems though. It is hard to keep the kids on the islands as they mature so they are at risk of becoming an obsolete society for that reason alone. They have added solar cells/batteries to provide some electrical power for convenience and entertainment, but it is very limited in capacity. Walking on the islands feel like you are walking on a water bed. Your feet sink from 2 to 4 inches with each step. This creates foot and back problems for the residents over time.
You can see a solar panel just to the right of the door on this hut.
Now comes the people photos.
The
Totora Reed is of utmost importance to the
Uros people. Without it they would literally sink. The reed and root system is what keeps the islands floating. Of course, the reed is a major food source as well. The white end contains lots of iodine so the people have great teeth and no goiters. They make tea from the reed and it is good for a hangover or to ease pain in the same way that the coca leaf does.
Reeds stacked for drying makes a nice photo.
This long handled sickle is used to harvest the reeds.
The bow saw cuts the root blocks that make up the first layer of the island.
Reeds are then stacked on top of the blocks in opposing layers much like plywood construction. The reeds rot due to the
moisture from the lake so new layers have to be added constantly to maintain the island. It is a high maintenance way to live made even harder by the need to deal with the tourists for income.
The homes sit on reed pads that rest of the surface of the island. The main goal here is to keep the
moisture out of the living space as much as possible.
You can see the pad under this house.
The model village now has houses, people, and cooking stoves added.
The only thing missing was the reed boat.
The islands are held in place by poles driven through the reeds and into the bottom of the lake and ropes with rock attached to act as anchors.
A demo of some of their crafts.
A small fish pond..........food.
More guinea pigs......food.
Chickens.......food.
The all important cooking stove. When you home and island are made of reeds, you really have to be careful with fire or extreme heat. The stove actually sits on a large rock or bed of rocks to insulate it from the reeds.
Part III is next.
The reed boats are mostly for tourism due to their short lifespan and labor intensive construction. This is more practical transportation. 
The school house. 
The interior of one of the huts. 
Note the thick reed mattress. It looks comfortable but I don't know if I could ever get used to the rustling sound of dry reeds under me. 
Want to buy a flute?
Lots of beautiful products available for sale. 
Our reed boat ride is next in Part IV. 
