The Totora reeds that grow on the banks of Lake Titicaca have been used for
building ships by inhabitants of this region for many centuries. After failing
in attempts to cross the South Pacific, Thor Hyerdahl came to Lake Titicaca to
hire the expert reed boat builders native to this area. After cutting the reeds,
they're dried in the sun for about two weeks, then intricately woven to build
their boats.
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Now, very few reed boats are used by the local people. But for now, the
craft survives, primarily to display to tourists.
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