Blogs from Beni Department, Bolivia, South America - page 3

Sorry folks, a lot of photo's and words in this entry... We were not feeling all that crash hot in La Paz, be it from some food we ate, the altitude, or the fact that we were staying in a hostel with a microbrewery attached... So we decided to forgo biking down the world's most dangerous road until later, and head down to Rurrenebaque, to visit the Amazon for the first time. The thinking was that a warm climate and so fresh food would do us the world of good. It sorted me out, but not mojo... The flight out of La Paz was at 10am, enough time to make sure the planes were flying at that time (as in previous days the early flight were delayed due to freezing conditions), and we thought enough time ... read more

So much behind on the blog so will only be posting pictures if I can. Fiinally able to leave La Paz after getting my new passport back, on our way to much warmer land in Rurenabaque. Trip to the Pampa.... read more

We have just returned to La Paz - This time by flight. Compared to the 32 hour bus ride, the flight back on a small 10 seater plane took 30 minutes. 30 MINUTES!! we started at 2pm, and by 3.30 we had landed, caught a taxi to mid-town, checked into our accomodation and were seated in a cafe for lunch. This makes the bus ride that bit worse! (if that was possible). Rurrenabaque was really fun! its a small town, just off the amazon river. The town itself is basic, endless hostels and tour agencies as everyone goes there to do the Pampas Tour. We arrived good Friday, and as a high catholic based country - none of the bars or small shops would sell alcohol for Holy Week - so we decided to head off ... read more

Rurre, as the locals call Rurrenabaque, is a small town of some 10,000people. The airport is in the town but the landing strip is 2km away. It appears to be an old settlement, on the banks of river Beni, one of the myriad of "small" tributeries of Amazon river. It is approx. 700m wide and fast flowing. The tour operator was waiting for me at the airport, but as the flight from La Paz was more than an hour late the tour had already left. He was very apologetic and was helpfull in rearranging my return flight and hotel accommodation so that I can still get my 2 days in the jungle trip.The hotel was on the outskerts of the town but was very scenic and environmentally friendly. It was a resort style hotel with all ... read more

Heading into the jungle wasn’t part of our original plans as James was quite adamant from the beginning, that we would not go anywhere, where it was hot, humid and required large amounts of insect repellant. However, after chatting to a few people and hearing some good things about the Bolivian side of the Amazon, we adjusted our plans and squeezed a week in. It would also be a welcome treat after the high altitude mountains and cold temperatures! So last Monday we found ourselves at La Paz airport, booked onto the morning flight to Rurrenabaque, the small jungle town in northern Bolivia. The bus trip was a resounding no after hearing a few horror stories of the horrific 21 hour trip, along a few very scary mountain passes! After walking onto the runway and seeing ... read more