High in the sky...

In preparation for our hike to Machu Picchu, we headed to Puno and Lake Titicaca for a few days to get acclimatized to the high altitudes of Peru.

At 3800m above sea level, Lake Titicaca (on northern end of the altiplano of Peru) would be a great spot to relax and get used to the thin air.

Although nervous, we were lucky to suffer few effects of the high altitude besides a slight headache and unexpected "spins" the first day, and some slightly troubling dreams throughout our trip.

Puno city is not known as a major tourist hub, sporting a large number of unfinished buildings and roads, many "aggressive" stray dogs, and a good deal of garbage lining many a street.

Nonetheless, the city did have its charms, offering an attractive main square, very friendly locals and a surprisingly delicious vegan restaurant, The Loving Hut (part of the U.S. Chain).  Puno's main attraction for tourists, however, is as a launch point for trips onto Lake Titicaca (pronounced Lake Titi-haha), the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world.

The altiplano of Peru

Another great surprise was our hotel, The Libertador, which first greeted us with throngs of police in riot gear (protecting a dignitary, we were pleased to find out) but later proved to be an incredibly relaxing and picturesque retreat.  Throughout our stay, we sipped coca tea, ate lots of quinoa soup and took advantage of the spa's hot tub (free after 4pm) to watch the sun set around the llamas grazing on the lawn outside.