Day 443 - Puno « Travel the Gap

Exploring Puno

Today was a really chill day. We woke up at Sol Plaza Hotel and went downstairs to the buffet breakfast. There was a wide variety of food, which was very cool considering all the hostel breakfasts we were used to.

We went down a walking street called Jr Lima towards Pino Park. The street was recommended by the iPeru Tourist Information yesterday. We went to several tour agencies to try and find a tour of Lake Titicaca for tomorrow.

We were also looking for the two Germans that we met in Arequipa who were still in contact with us. Inside a small shopping centre there was an agency that gave us a group discount for 4 people. Since we had to check in with the Germans before purchasing the tickets, we told the agent that we would be back later.

Carlos Dreyer Museum

Close to the main square, which is closed for construction work is the Carlos Dreyer Museum. Google Maps mentioned that the museum opens at 10am on Saturdays. However it was in the process of opening when we got there around 10.30am. The actual opening time is 11am, but the friendly staff member let us in a little early.

Main Plaza was under construction in November 2019

Carlos Dryer was a German painter and collector who was born in 1895. He was raised as a watchmaker, but apparently had a passion for travel. There is a bio of him in the museum. I liked one passage where his mum asked him “Why did you come home in second class?”. He replied “because there is no third class”

The museum is spread over 2 stories with mainly pre colonial artefacts. There are colonial era artefacts on the second level, but not many.

Also, we are pretty sure that the lady at the counter gave us the student discount even though we told her that we are not students. I must just look so young that she didn’t believe that I wasn’t a student…

After spending some time in the museum, we got some snacks and OJ from the nearby La Casa Del Corregidor.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and planning our next destination in Peru. We booked our bus ticket out of Puno with Cruz del Sur online. We also met up with the German couple from Arequipa to go purchase the Lake Titicaca tour.

At night time, Puno gets really cold. We rugged up and then went out to the popular Mojsa Restaurant for dinner. The food was pricey and full of what looked like tourists. Since we couldn’t be bothered going anywhere too far we weren’t disappointed with the meals.

Travelled November 2019

Expenses

Tour – Lake Titicaca – International Andions Tours – 130 PEN (~$63 AUD) for 4 people
Entrance Fee – Carlos Dreyer Museum – 15 PEN (~$7 AUD) per person

Getting Around

Bus – Puno Bus Terminal to Cruz del Sur Cusco Terminal – 60 PEN (~$29 AUD) per person with Cruz del Sur

Day 443 – Puno