For the second leg of our Peruvian adventure, we had booked a kayaking trip on Lake Titicaca. Our trip started with an hour long boat journey, and then we picked up the kayaks. We paddled for two hours across the calm water to reach the island of Taquile.

An early start

Taking a boat ride to pick up the kayaks

This small island has a lot of interesting traditions, which our guide explained to us. Taquile is home to the ‘knitting men’ and as you walk around you see lots of locals knitting away. The men knit themselves long, brightly coloured hats which are worn in different ways depending on marital status. When couples start dating, they are allowed to live together for a number of years before deciding whether to marry. In order to be given permission to live together, the man must knit a hat and take it to his girlfriends parents. They will fill the hat with water, and if non leaks out in the first five minutes then they know that the man is good at his trade and the will allow their daughter to live with him.

Arriving on Taquile

Sitting in the town square

Borrowing a hat

Two Knitting Men

After a few years, they must the decide about marriage. Divorce is not allowed, so this is a big commitment. If they decide to go ahead, then the woman must cut off all of her hair and weave it into a belt for her groom. The wedding is also a trial for the couple, and they are only allowed to enjoy themselves on the third day. After the wedding, the bride must start growing her hair again, and once it reaches her waist she must once again cut it all off to make a wig for her husband. Historically the island men had long hair, but these days they prefer it short. However, the traditional dances require long hair so they must have a wig. Marriage also means that a man can become a part of the community and after the wedding he will be given land to farm. He also becomes eligible to be president.

The president is voted in democratically and serves for one year. He can only serve onceand the president wears a bowler hat on top of the knitted hat! Ex-presidents have a different type of hat and are very well respected within the community.

The islanders live mainly off their land and the lake, eating a lot of fish and using a local reed to make soap.

Making soap

After buying a few souvineers we took the boat back to the town of Puno, stopping at the floating reed Uros Islands on the way.

The beautiful view from the top of the island

A floating island of Uros

• Lake Titicaca