Blogs from Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia, South America - page 9

We arrived late but hungry to the beautiful 5-star Los Tajibos hotel in Santa Cruz on Monday, Nejla’s birthday. Although it was close to 11 at night, we definitely had the energy to dress up in our evening finest to celebrate the last few hours of her special day with some delicious red wine and even more delicious steaks! After a relaxing but special dinner, just the two of us spoke and dined in the elegant Terraza open-air restaurant for about 2 hours, we went back to our hotel room and got some much needed rest. The next morning we delayed a bit in getting out of bed as we enjoyed our top notch accommodations. By the time we were fully dressed, it was about noon, so we headed to the Terraza for a Los Tajibos ... read more

Work. Almost forgot about that word! Now I am fully immersed in it and, funnily enough, time is flying! Everything is taken care of, sort of. I mean, everything is taken care of except for the unexpected... which seem to happen daily! Alberto and I are living with a Bolivian Family, maid included. We are fed twice a day, our clothes are washed and our rooms cleaned and there have even been a couple of parties at our house, until the early hours of the morning, with 12-man-band included! In exchange, we are picked up by our young, dapper chauffeur at 8:15 every day (yes, Sunday as well!), and dropped off at 18:15... 10 hours, unless there is something unexpected. At 8:30 meeting with Tania Aguilera, Tahuichi Boss, daughter of the founder Roly. At 8:45 quick ... read more

Day 272 - Saturday 28 June Every bus I´ve 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 leaves at half five. Giancarla had better appreciate the effort i´m making. As usual luck was on my side and there were no problems except for me being a little tired. At half five I was on my way again and on a bus to Santa Cruz. Its a ten hour journey so I went back to sleep ... read more

Day 263 - Thursday 19 June In the end I´d 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 I´d arrived, the sun is shining and for the first time in what seems ages its back to the t-shirt and shorts. After finding a suitable language school on the internet I went in search of the first nightclub I´d gone too when I was here last time. I´d like to go back but don´t know the name or exactly where it is. I spent ages walking around but I just couldn´t find it. In the end it was going dark so I gave up, I´ll continue my search ... read more

I leave tonight at 11:10pm. I arrive in Miami at 5:30 or so. I have a 5 hour layover there, then off to LA. A few hours there and off to Vancouver. I should arrive 7:20pm Friday. Mom and the boys are going to meet me and we will stay in Van for the night. I hope everything is on time and most of all...no turbulance. Last night it rained for the first time since i've been here. Thunder and lightning too! It cooled down quite a bit, so it was nice to need a blanket at night. I don't know how people here can stand it in the summer. It's fall right now and it's still so hot. Well...it's been quite a trip. Everyone was saying how i will come back changed...and i think i ... read more