Gearoid and Jess

GearoidJess

Gearoid and Jess

Gearoid (Irish) and Jess (English) got fed up with the weather after living in England for the last year so decided to go travelling again.



South America » Bolivia » Santa Cruz Department » Santa Cruz September 3rd 2014

Our Arrival We arrived at the new terminal in Santa Cruz at 7:40am from Sucre. The new terminal is next to the train station on Avenue Brasil and Avenue Intermodal. We walked into the centre of town which took 35 mins to get to the square. Where We Stayed Alojamiento Santa Barbara - Bs. 70 for a double room with shared bathroom. There were hot showers even though they aren't necessary in the heat and wifi in the reception area. Rooms were set around a courtyard. On Santa Barbara street in between Junin and Florida. What We Did Went up the Cathedral tower in the main square - Bs. 3 each. The tower isn't that high but you can see the mechanism that rings the bells. VISITED LOMAS DE ARENA Some sand dunes near the town. ... read more
The sand dunes
On top of the dunes
Sunrise from the bus to La Paz

South America » Bolivia » Chuquisaca Department » Sucre September 1st 2014

Our Arrival Our bus from Uyuni dropped us off at their office at 4:10am which is a couple of blocks (towards town) from the bus station. It also stopped outside the bus station where we got off. We went into the bus station and waited around until about 6:30am when the sun had risen and then walked into town. There is a map in the bus station on the wall. Go out of the terminal and turn left down Av Ostria Gutierrez. When you reach the main road Av Mendoza turn right, then a couple of blocks later left down Arce to the centre of town. It took about 25 mins. Where We Stayed Alojamiento Virgen De Guadalupe - Bs. 60 for a double room with TV and shared bathroom with hot showers. No wifi. Opposite ... read more
Dinosaur Footprints
Dinosaur Footprints
Dinosaur Footprints


Our Arrival We arrived from La Paz at 8:20am and were dropped off outside the Trans Omar office which is on Cabrera and Arce. When we got off the bus we were met by touts offering tours to the salt flats. We went with one of them to their office from the terminal and booked a tour for the same day so didn't check into a hotel. What We Did We went on a 3 day, 2 night tour of the Salar de Uyuni, Southern Bolivian desert and Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina with Expediciones Gaviota. We were met at the bus station by a representative of the Company who took us to their office which was a couple of blocks from the bus office, on the same road, back the way we had just come. ... read more
When you go to the Salt Flats crazy things happen!
Scenery on Day 2
Day 2 Lake

South America » Bolivia » Beni Department » Rurrenabaque August 20th 2014

Our Arrival The bus from La Paz dropped us outside the Flota Yunguena offices in Rurrenabaque at 5:40am. We sat around until it got light then headed into town. To get into town (with the office behind you) turn left and walk up the road until the end by the naval base. Turn right down Arce and the main area of town is from that street and up to the left. Where We Stayed Hostal Los Tucanes - Bs. 80 for a twin room with shared bathroom. This was the first place we encountered when we were heading into town that was open that early in the morning. It is on Arce and the corner of Bolivar. Breakfast of some bread and jam and coffee was included. Showers were really hot but wasn't toilet paper in ... read more
Boating down the river
Accomodation with Flecha Tours
Expensive sunset beer

South America » Bolivia » La Paz Department » La Paz August 18th 2014

Our Arrival FROM COPACABANA We arrived from Copacbana at 10:45am. The bus dropped us off in a car park opposite a cemetery on Avenue Baptista on the West side of the City. We were next heading to Rurrenabaque so we headed over to the bus terminals over in Villa Fatima. To do this we caught a micro from by the cemetery which had Villa Fatima on the front. There were lots of micros heading past to different destinations. Buses to Rurrenabaque leave from 2 separate offices in the Villa Fatima district, one is next to an old petrol station. We asked the driver to stop at 'El Ex-Surtidor' and he dropped us next to the office for Flota Yunguena. We caught the micro at 10:50am and arrived in Villa Fatima at 11:25am. Normal price for a ... read more
Getting my watch fixed
La Cumbre
The start of the Death Road

South America » Bolivia » La Paz Department » Copacabana August 17th 2014

Our Arrival Our bus from Puno Peru arrived in Copacabana at 12pm (with the hour time difference). We were dropped on Av 16 de Julio a couple of blocks up from Plaza Sucre. Where We Stayed Hostal Center - Bs. 60 for a double room with shared bathroom. It was just off Plaza Sucre and was a large room however we stayed there as it advertised wifi but it didn't work. He really struggled with change for Bs. 100. What We Did We walked up Cerro Calvario for a lake/town viewpoint and stations of the cross. You will feel the altitude. Visited Basilica of Our Lady Copacabana to see the religious pilgrimage site. There were loads of people there on Sunday getting their cars blessed and setting off firecrackers and pouring champagne. We did laundry as ... read more
Blessing the cars
Sunset over Lake Titicaca
Basilica Of Our Lady Copacabana

South America » Peru » Puno » Puno August 16th 2014

Our Arrival Our bus from Cusco arrived at the terminal in Puno, on the waterfront at 3:50pm. From the terminal we stayed at a Hospedaje on the next street up. Where We Stayed Hospedaje Dulces Suenos - S/20 for a double room with private bathroom. The room was newly done but not in the main building and got freezing at night. No wifi. Where We Ate There was a massive market over several streets when we were there on a Saturday. We got lunch in a restaurant opposite for S/3 each. Positive Bar - just off the main square on Peel St. We needed wifi so got a couple of 650ml beers for S/8. Cozy place. Where We Went Next We used Puno purely as a stopping point to get to Copacabana in Bolivia. We had ... read more
Our bus to Copacabana
Peru Migration
Walking into Bolivia

South America » Peru » Cusco » Machu Picchu August 13th 2014

We wanted to go to Machu Picchu cheaply and at late notice so decided to go by public transport. This is a blog on how we did it. TO AGUAS CALIENTES 1. First we tried to buy admission tickets to Machu Picchu from the Ministry of Culture in Cusco town. They are located just off Avenue Cultura, down a small street (the first right after the petrol station). There are 3 different tickets available: The first includes climbing Huaynapicchu and is S/150, the second includes climbing Montana Machu Picchu and is S/140 and thirdly general admission only for S/126. We asked about tickets including climbing Machu Picchu but they were sold out for the next 9 days! We then tried to buy general admission tickets however they wouldn't sell them to us because we didn't have ... read more
Quillabamba Terminal
Colectivos waiting in Santa Maria
Starting the Walk

South America » Peru » Cusco August 11th 2014

Our Arrival We arrived at the terminal terreste at 11:55am. We walked into town. From the terminal walk up the ramp and head towards the big statue of a man on the roundabout and follow the way he is facing and signs to the historic centre. It is about 15 mins to a big sun fountain, from there follow signs to Avenue Sol. In total it is about 1/2 hour walk to the centre of town. Where We Stayed Euro Hostal - S/40 for a double room with private bathroom, TV and wifi. On Cuychipunco near Av Grau between Mantara and San Andres. They let us keep our backpacks there for a couple of nights whilst we went to Machu Picchu. What We Did Walked around the historic centre and up to the San Cristobal church ... read more
Old Cusco Church

South America » Peru » Trujillo August 5th 2014

Our Arrival The bus from Trujillo town arrived at 3:35pm and dropped us off on Los Pinos street. It is easy to walk around the town and there are a few hostals on that street. Where We Stayed Caimu Beach - S/30 for a double room with share bathroom on Los Pinos. The room was really nice with a small balcony and TV. Bathroom was shared with one other room and had hot water. Internet worked well in the room and there was a roof terrace. If you want you can get a rate with breakfast. Run by friendly guys. Mamacocha - S/20 for a double room with share bathroom on Los Pinos. There is a kitchen and fridge you can use, wifi which works well in the room and a big TV in what appeared ... read more
Entrance to Chan Chan
Chan Chan Ruins
Peruvian Hairless Dog




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