I set off at 8am to go onto one of the many boats heading to Isla del Sol. 2.5 hours later, we arrive to the north part of the island. When we arrive, a guy from the native village in that area came to greet us (jeans and jacket - no traditional wear. That would be corny). He took us to the Museo de Oro (Gold museum) where I did not see any gold whatsoever. I did see various artifacts that were found at the bottom of the lake. Offerings from the Tiwanaku people. This island was a ceremonial site, as well as residential. For their culture, the sun represented ceremony and the moon represented fertility (this is my Cole's Note's version. Really there's much more information.)
After the museum, everyone started to trek uphill on steep rocky steps to ceremonial site. Still in very poor physical shape and still fencing with the altitude, this trek was quite strenuous. It was all worth it. From the high viewpoint looking down on the sandy shoreline and at crystalline blue water, I felt like I could fly. Actually, it was probably just the lack of oxygen. The ceremonial site was really just a big rock and here was a sacrificial alter in front of it. I think the trek up was probably more phenomenal.
When the guide finished explaining the function of the rock, we all headed to another site. I wasn't expecting much so, when we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The guide had taken us to residential ruins of the ancient people. Walls constructed of intricately cut stones. Irrigation systems using spring water at the top of the island, I should mention that this is not a flat island. It's like a mini-mountain in the middle of the lake. The framing area was terraced along the sides of the steep hillsides. I spent the next few minutes walking through the various doorways and hallways. It felt like I as in a mini wherein finding an exit was met with more views of the waters below.
I had about 45mins to race down the mountain after visiting the ruins to catch the boat to the south side of the island. I didn't even fall once.
The south side was nowhere near as exciting. Here was a flight of stone steps that seemed like it was vertical. Apparently Inca-built. The top was lined with ladies selling wares and girls in traditional wear with really cute llamas, trying to get you to pay them so you can take a picture of them. Various areas on the ground were colourfully speckled with candy wrappers and empty pop bottles.The Inca steps seemed to hold all the tourist bustling up and down, bumping each other with their packs without apology.
Regardless, I had a really good night's sleep that night.
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