Once upon a time there was a beautiful Inca princess. She was known throughout the Tahuantinsuyo empire by her 18 ounce turquoise necklace, bestowed on her by her father the Inca.
On her 21st birthday the princess hiked with 20 of her best girl friends to Apu Ausangate as was the tradition for Inca princesses. The hike was hard and the elements harsh. Turning back without completing the hike would mean she had to give up her crown and forego her spot as the next ruler of the Inca empire to a stronger and more determined princess.
The princess and her friends soldiered on and upwards. One afternoon when their feet were hurting so bad that they were about to give up, a humming bird appeared and told the girls to chew on coca leaves as this would give them the strength to continue. The girls did as they were told but unfortunately the princess chewed on a spiked coca leaf. Around the camp fire listening to Neil Young the princess had a really bad trip and in a vision appeared her country anio 2020. Shocked by the utter incompetence of the ruling class she saw in this vision the princess asked Neil Young, “This can’t really be happening? This cannot be my country in the year 2020?!”
Alas, Neil Young shook his head and said it was really so.
The princess decided if that was to be the future of her country she would have no part of it and could not be the ruler of the empire. For the first time since she was 9 years old she took off her necklace that symbolized her status as a princess, and in a whim, threw the 18 ounce stones in a nearby lagoon. She got on the next plane to Canada and lived happily ever after.
Unfortunately the princess never looked back, she never saw the water of Laguna Singrenacocha turn colors. The tears of the princess had dissolved the stones and the water of the lagoon has remained a stunning turquoise color ever since.
Depending on the screen you’re using the color of the lake may or may not appear true. I took these pictures on my iPhone and they are unedited, as are all the pictures on this blog. I do not know how to edit pictures nor do I want to know. I want real, raw, unedited reality. With the naked eye the color is stunning, an absolutely unrivaled view.
Needless to say, the above story is totally made up, although it might very well be true if it were possible. I suppose there is a scientific explanation for the color of the water, possibly related to the snow from the nearby mountains? Fellow blogger Jim R might know, he knows about science and cosmic explosions and stuff like that.
Life in Peru 
It’s lovely to see that you are all well and getting out into the fresh air and nature! We have been confined to our house for nearly six months in Melbourne under Covid19 lockdown and it’s wearing a bit thin!!! Take care and keep safe!
Hi Kristin. It’s hard to believe you guys have been under lockdown for this long. I thought the Covid situation was relatively well under control in Australia?
These pictures were actually taken about a year ago, before Covid. Fortunately the Covid-19 situation is finally improving here in Peru. We’ve been taking the kids out to the country side the past few Saturdays but most rural areas are prohibiting outsiders from entering nowadays due to the Covid situation, so it’s a bit hard to enjoy the country side like before.
At this point there’s a pretty big difference between the advertised measures and most people’s daily reality. For the most part everything is back to normal with the exception of regional or international travel, a night time curfew and Sunday social isolation in some areas (including Cusco). I’m sure the powers that be will disagree but Peru is essentially going full on herd immunity.
Take care and stay safe!
That was a good story. As to the water color, I know that runoff from mountain glaciers often causes a greenish-blue hue. Those mountains in the distance could be the source. Thanks for tapping me on the shoulder about this. It was a pleasant surprise. 🙂
Thanks Jim! The water color definitely seems to be related to glacier or snow melt. Before tourism ended due to Covid there were quite a few agencies offering trips to Laguna Humantay, which has a similar color. Laguna Humantay is on the other side of Cusco, just below Nevado Salkantay, whereas Laguna Singrenacocha is just below the Nevado Ausangate, it’s the bigger of the two but also further away from Cusco and the tourist circuit.