The Uros People have built their own islands. Really!

Wearing their colourful traditional outfits these girls are braiding each others hair

Wearing their colourful traditional outfits these girls are braiding each others hair

They harvest the reeds that grow naturally in Lake Titicaca, in Northern Peru. Once the reeds have been allowed to dry in the warm sun, they pile them on top of the old reeds, making a thick, buoyant, bed of reeds. They also build their homes and boats out of reeds. When the reeds get too soggy and lose their buoyancy, they simply add more reeds.

This girl was sitting on a reed boat and cracking up at something her friend did

This girl was sitting on a reed boat and cracking up at something her friend did

By living on a floating island they avoid paying property taxes to the Peruvian government. They fish for sustenance and rely on tourism to bring in some much needed money to keep the families happy and healthy.

These flamingos were hanging out on the floating reed island

These flamingos were hanging out on the floating reed island

Dragon boat made of reeds

Dragon boat made of reeds

The prow of the dragon reed boat

The prow of the dragon reed boat

Location: Lake Titicaca, Peru