http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Byron/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Byron en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:19:37 BST Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:19:37 BST Day 289 Tuesday 15 JulyWe got into La Paz about half six in the morning and took a taxi over to the mountain bike company. We want to pick up our photos and free tshirt before we leave town. We got there about seven and were hoping one of the guides would be there to sort us out. There was but he said we'd have to wait until 9am when the office opened. Stuck with our bags and with nothing t http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/Copacabana/blog-302201.html Day 285 Friday 11 JulyWe'd been given the back seats of the bus and it was so bumpy that I'd hardly got any sleep last night. The bus driver had also been tearing along which didn't exactly make the ride any smoother and we got into town about 5 to 6 in the morning. It was still dark and with the town still shut up we followed a guy we met at the bus station who reckoned he had a room. He did http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Beni-Department/Rurrenabaque/blog-300246.html Day 282 Tuesday 8 JulyWere finally on our way again. We were up at six thirty to make our way down to our mountainbiking. Unfortunately we ended up having to wait an hour for the guides to turn up thats another hour I could have had in bed and would have been most appreciated.We finally got underway about 8am and the minibus drove us up the hill and out of La Paz to the start. Because they'd http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/Coroico/blog-297721.html Day 274 Monday 30 JuneI arrived back into La Paz early morning as my spanish lesson doesnt start until later this afternoon I watched Wimbledon with Russ. We were waiting for the Andy Murray game to start but unfortunately he was last on. This meant that I had to go to my lesson just after he lost the second set. I thought hed lost it so was gutted to learn Id missed out on a 5 set epic http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/La-Paz/blog-296242.html Day 272 Saturday 28 JuneEvery bus Ive caught in Bolivia has arrived at its destination late. The one time I actually want the bus to be late and it arrives early. Great I arrived at Cochabamba bus station at a quater to four in the morning. A few people have warned me as does my guide book that its not safe around the bus station after dark but im stuck here now until the first bus leave http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Santa-Cruz-Department/Santa-Cruz/blog-295389.html Day 268 Tuesday 24 JuneAs always the bus was running late so it was mid morning before I was back in my usual guesthouse. Ive put it off for ages but I finally got round to organising my Spanish lessons. I found a teacher that only charges 6 US an hour for private lessons so booked myself in for a 2 hour class this evening.With my lesons starting this evening I spent the afternoon relaxing http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/La-Paz/blog-294441.html Day 263 Thursday 19 JuneIn the end Id decided to take the more expensive direct route as its a lot less hassle a better bus and in the end the difference in price is less than the cost of a pint back home. By lunchtime Id arrived the sun is shining and for the first time in what seems ages its back to the tshirt and shorts.After finding a suitable language school on the internet I went in http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Santa-Cruz-Department/Santa-Cruz/blog-291591.html Day 260 Correction on previous days Monday 16 JuneOnce again I arrived safely and made my way to the same guesthouse I'd stayed in last tim. I'd phoned ahead so they had my room waiting for me.I needed to spend a day tidying up ends and todays going to be it. First of all there was my visa extension. They'd only given me 30 days visa on entry but im entitled to 90. As ive only got a few http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/La-Paz/blog-290833.html Day 265 Wednesday 10 JuneI woke up today and its actually raining. I think this is only the fourth day its rained since Ive been in South America and Ive been here for nearly 3 months.I got picked up from my guesthouse at 11 and went over to the bus that will take me to Rurrenabaque. Its a twenty hour bus ride down a road thats referred to as the worlds most dangerous road. I dont know muc http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Beni-Department/Rurrenabaque/blog-288875.html Day 261 Saturday 7 JuneIt had been quite cold and bumpy but but we eventually arrived into La Paz the worlds highest city at about 8 in the morning. Everybody keeps raving about a hostel called Loki but as its going to be noisy and I want to catch up on some sleep I found a small family home around the corner. I get my own room there with cable tv and free internet for a price of a dorm room http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/La-Paz/blog-288114.html Day 257 Tuesday 3 JuneIve met some great people in Tupiza and tomorrow the presidents visiting town as its the towns birthday. Everyones off work tomorrow to celebrate and apparently it should be a couple of days of partying. Its a pity Ive already booked my salt flats tour and leave today.My sleep patterns all over the place and it was a bit of a struggle getting up at 8 o clock to get rea http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Potosi-Department/Salar-de-Uyuni/blog-287428.html Day 254 Saturday 31 MayTheres only 2 buses out of town to Tupiza one at 8 in the morning and another at 8 at night. As we didnt fancy arriving at 3am in the morning we opted for the 8am one. We were lucky to get on it though there were only a few seats left on the bus.Seven hours later wed arrived in Tupiza. We spent a while haggling for rooms at various hotels before finally finding one http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Potosi-Department/Tupiza/blog-285938.html Day 251 Wednesday 28 MayAfter breakfast we headed over to the bus station to take the bus to Potosi. Its only 4 hours away but at 4070m high its the highest city in the world. The temperatures also noticeable as well. Its ok in the sun but in the shade its cold.Potosis a mining town and was once one of the richest cities in the world with a population greater than London or Paris. Its also p http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Potosi-Department/Potosi/blog-284499.html Day 249 Monday 26 MayWe arrived into Sucre about 8 ish in the morning. As were almost 3000m above sea level Id expected it to be really cold but Im surprised at how warm it is.I'd found some cheap accommodation on the internet so we took a taxi over. Unfortunately there wasn't room for all of us so we said goodbye to Gary and Bart who went to look for something nearby and waited to check in. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Chuquisaca-Department/Sucre/blog-282975.html Day 245 Thursday 22 MayI've quite liked Brazil and its a bit sad to leave but everyone keeps raving about Bolivia so i'm looking forward to crossing the border later today.After having breakfast we got ourselves a taxi to take us over the border. Although taxis are expensive in Brazil with scouse Gary also going to Santa Cruz today it works out not much more than getting the bus if we all jump http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Santa-Cruz-Department/Santa-Cruz/blog-281591.html Day 243 Tuesday 20 MayYet another long bus journey ahead. Today I'm moving on to the border town of Corumba. Its an eight hour journey by bus which is a shame as the weathers fantastic outside but I want to make sure I got there in plenty of time for the Champions League final tomorrow.Not much happened on the bus journey until about 2 hours from Corumba. The bus stopped in some small villag http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Mato-Grosso-do-Sul/Corumb-/blog-281228.html Day 242 Monday 19 MayI'd managed to get 12 hours sleep in but it was still only half nine when I woke up. With a few hours still to go there wasn't much else to do but stare out of the window. Beats working I suppose and theres nice views of the countryside.It turns out the bus was running 2 hours late so in the end it took 23 hours to reach Campoo Grande from Rio although i've crossed a time http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Mato-Grosso-do-Sul/Campo-Grande/blog-279831.html Day 237 Wednesday 14 MayEverybody keeps raving about this place called Ilha Grande so I've decided to check it out and see what the fuss is all about.As its not much more expensive and saves the hastle of walking around Rio on my own with my rucksack I booked all my transport through my hostel. The minibus was supposed to pick me up at 10am so I'd had to get up early after only a few hours sle http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Ilha-Grande/blog-278047.html Day 229 Tuesday 6 MayMy bus arrived in Rio just before 9am and i'm pleased to say its warm and theres clear skies. Because of its violent reputation I decided against the public transport for the time being and took a taxi to my hostel right in the middle of Copacabana. It wasn't cheap I can tell you.Once in I freshened up had breakfast and headed straight down to Copacabana beach. It reall http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/blog-275049.html Day 228 Monday 5 MayI arrived in Curitiba about 7.30 in the morning and headed straight for the train staion next door. The planet says theres an unforgetable train ride from here through the mountains towards the coast. Russ who did it a few days ago says its ok. I was all set to buy my ticket when I had a change of heart. I039ve already seen similar scenery on my trip so far and will no http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Paran-/Curitiba/blog-274576.html