Advertisement
Published: August 24th 2008
Hi everyone, just a little update on our progress so far, or lack of should I say. To pre warn you its been a pritty chilled 2wks which was not neccessarily our choice but due to the road blocks etc (which seem to follow US around lately) It made it difficult to esscape so hear goes......
SATURDAY 3rd Aug After setteling in our choosen hostel at 80b$ (approx 5pound 50p) per night (which unfortunatly DOSE NOT include a smile from the female reseptionist) but it dose include an excellent sun terrace just outside our room BONUS! We headed out for lunch. Discovered a fab local place just off the market which served "Almuerzos" set lunchs to me and you for only 10b$ less than a pound. We got home made soup and they only had the paster left (usualy 2 choices) so we tried it and it was just like hot saucy bombay mix supprisingly nice. Oh and not fogetting the free juice which was like watered down ice pop yummy. Its so hot so we chilled in the sun as it wouled be rude not to. Descovered the best takeaway chicken shop ever I think were gona be there
Sunset
Our terrace in Sucremost nights as only 20b$ (1pound 50p) for half a chicken
SUNDAY 4th Aug We headed to the market and dicovered you can haggle hear so we bought the biggest pinnaple ever for 80p. Sucre seems really nice place so we where thinking of staying 1wk, but have been informed that due to the Referemdum theres serious road blocks which some your advised not to try and pass even on foot. So it may be difficult to get out or to get in somewhere else so we are going to head to the bus station tomorrow am and try to find out more. Also theres rumors of riots and violent etc so a few people here have booked flights to get out of Bolivia sharpish. Prob a little ott but who knows? Independance week so big party town is Sucre so we are hoping for a good night on wed as the Independance was signed here back in 1825 and it still remains Bolivias Judicial capital.Party party party whoop whoop! Went to our usual chicken shop but due to it being sunday we had to get a set meal a bit pricey for the budget at 15b$ each
but I thought hay lets go mad, with all this riot rummers who knows when it could be your last meal(even let steve buy beer)
MONDAY 5th Aug Bus station basicaly fed us a load off bull saying there was no road blocks and we know they where lieing as we asked about the one we had to go over pretending we dident know there was one and they said "no road blocks there" its lucky boliviands noses dont grow when they lie because pinoccio would be out of buisness. There is a bus leaving for Cochabamba on thurs so we are thinking of going with that one. Spent most of the day on the internet and I nearly lost the will to live there soooo slow its painfull especially on the butt! We treated ourselves to a meal out. We had a fab "Fondue" at "La viega bodega" it was out of lonly planet and the staff smiled which is always a bonus. There was some chanting and marching about the square so we steared clear as I think the whole town was there.
TUESDAY 6th Aug Bands and processions all over today mainly for
independance celabrations we think but we darnt clap just incase so we stood there like flids just knoding and smiling . Checked out a few sights around town. The plaza is well maintained with nice gardens an no litter as Bolivians use the floor as a bin and a toilet for that matter It stinks of you know what In alot of park areas not nice but hear is ok. Watched the sunset from our terrace and got drunk on ltr of Vodca and can you believe its the same price as 3 small cans of beer. So im converting Steve.
WEDNESDAY 6th Aug Bolivas Independace day band started at 7am (are they mental)fireworks so they havent discovered there suppose to use them at night clearly. We saved ourselves all day for the night time partying in the square. Skyped a few people and was informed by steve I prob defend everyone in there(wondered why it went quiet) So we showered and shaved dressed up and put on our dancing shoes to be greeted by tumble weed Iv never seen the plaza so quiet. So we decided to drown our sorrows in a bar close by. I did
discover a real nice lager called "inca" Not high %!s(MISSING)o steve refuzed to drink it (Think he thought he might look gay) bless. Decided to stay until tue as the station in Cochabamba is dodgy so it would be a muggers paradise if there was a road block, us carrying everything. So we are going to go straight to La paz and on to Rurrenbaque. Its nice here so we dont mind to much.
THURSDAY 7th Aug Cloudy day so good for sight seeing. We headed to the main park and where lucky to see some sort of army Procession taking place outside the train station. Good atmosthere. We then went in to "Parque bolivia" there was a funny min Eifle tower on closer inspection we discovered you could climb up it was to busy. The park was pritty just a shame that there was a bridge over a lazy river which had been emptied and was used as a dumping ground shame.We visited the "supream court" a grand building opposit the park. Some buildings need to be restored as there beautiful structures but are half falling down. Later we tried the bolivian drink called "Singani" its produced
Witches Market
Llama Fetus anyone? in the highest vinyards and is obtained by distilling grape skins and other products (it did the trick) Steve was unwell so I had to drink and chill alone it was heven te he.
FRIDAY 8th Aug THIS IS WHERE THE BLOG DECIDE NOT TO SAVE ANYTHING I TYPED! ALL THE BITS AFTER THIS POINT ARE JUST A QUICK BRIEF SUMMARY.
SATURDAY 9th Aug Sunbathing day. Actually found tuna tinned so made a salad. Later I got stung by a wasp and it bloody hurt! It was the biggest wasp I've ever seen but I was well brave - I didn't even cry!
SUNDAY 10th Aug Voting day so nowhere open. Our little sun terrace got a little busy. A guy from New York got chatting to us and told us a little more about the Referendum. So, it's about a gut called Evo Morales who is, I think the equivalent of our Prime Minister and it's come round to election time and because he wants to make petrol private all the rich people don't want him but the less wealthy will benefit a great deal from him being elected so we think he's an OK guy
Dead or Alive? Who knows?
A local just deciding to take a siesta in the middle of the street! - hope to find out later. We tried to Skype but unfortunately no good as connection was down so try again soon. Off out for a meal tonight.
MONDAY 11th Aug Visited the bus station to enquire about a bus for La Paz. Lots of varied prices but similar times, all overnight buses. Bonus for us 'cos we save n accommodation. We got tickets for 80Bs each, only 10Bs more than most as it has a toilet on board that could come in handy on a 12 hour journey. Tried to go out for food but most places closed. They must e celebrating as Evo Morales won, 68%!t(MISSING)o 32%! (MISSING)No riots, all pretty calm. The restaurat we tried was a pizza/pasta but they were so rude we got up and walked out. Some other customer said that they waited for 1hr for a small pizza. So guess what! Chick, chick, chick, chick, chicken - the usual place. I got a little tipsy (STEVE: she was hammered) on vodka. Not a good plan when travellig tomorrow.
TUESDAY 12th Aug I feel awful! Must be something I ate - before the bottle of vodka! Bummed about killig time until
our bus leaves at 7pm.
The bus was OK, a semi-cama (half-bed) but the toilet was out of order (I don't mean it was ignorant or rude, I mean it didn't work). i was WELL angry. We paid extra for an onboard toilet. We stopped ONCE on a 12 hour journey for a wee. Its not humane! From 7pm till 1.30am without a wee. Luckily after the relief on my bladder, I slept the rest of the journey!
WEDNESDAY 13th Aug Arrived La Paz at about 0730am. Found a Hostel. Steve forgot his plastic cup (he packed it in his rucksack) so I couldn't have a coffee a the bus station. The pollution here is unreal! Bought a ticket for Rurrenabaque tomorrow. Went to the Black Market (which was rubbish). We did get some books from a book swap though, yaaaaaay! Discovered a curry house - whoop whoop so we're gonna treat ourselves when we get back from Rurrenebaque (Can't wait).
THURSDAY 14th Aug Went to catch the bus for Rurrenabaque - not the bus we paid for though - it's the same bus that was parked outside the office yesterday that the guy at the ticket office
swore blind wasn't our bus - ours would be much nicer than that one! Steve demanded some of our moey back so in the end it only cost us 112Bs. It's an old school bus with square wheels and the engine was under Steve's feet and over-heated so much it melted the mat! We discovered we were to travel on "The World's Most Dangerous Road." 600m vertical drops and only a 3.2m wide road - not great for overtaking. The bus kept stopping to have it's engine sorted out which meant plenty of pee stops for me! I even squatted at the side of the road in front of the bus load of people! Roads got real bumpy so seep not good but managed a little. Arrived early - 0530am!
FRIDAY 15th Aug Had to wait for our bags until all the locals bags had been unloaded. Checked some Hostels and opted for Hostel Toucan, 70Bs per night with a roof terrace and hammocks. It's red hot here in "Rurre" Yaaaaay! Off to find a Pampas trip and drop our Laundry off. All went downhill from there! The trips were more expensive than I expected. We settled for "Flecha"
tours as loads of people are walking round with FLECHA t-shirts on! Chilled on the hammocks for the rest of the day.
We got cancelled off the Pampas trip at last minute though as not enough people wanted to go! The Laundry never re-opened either so we are a little annoyed to say the least! Even if we could have gone to Pampas we would have had no clothes!!!
SATURDAY 16th Aug Another unsuccesful day! Went to book with another company for Pampas. nobody is running the trips tomorrow though as there is a strike on Tuesday (which would be the last day of our trip). We honk road blocks are followig us around! We have decided that with the luck we're having just to get tickets back to La Paz. A little disappointed but we've saved some money by not going to Pampas which can go towards new clothes as we finally got our laundry - she left it with the shop next door. Couldn't face us as she ruined my white top, marked my bra and lost a sock, so we just walked off without paying (had t watch our backs for the rest of the day
- didn't want the "Rurre" mafia to slit our throats). Also, y nail polish remoer leaked and ruined my white skirt with pink dye from a carrier bag. I¡m not happy!
SUNDAY 17th Aug Went for Brekkie. I had a full English - it was laughable! 1 wafer thin slice of ham and a fried egg. Can you imagine? I just laughed. Steve ordered a local breakfast - chicken rice, salad, fried peppers and onions, plataño (a fried savoury banana) and it was half the price of mine! I HATE FOOD! Travelled back to La Paz, not good. Very uncomfortable, no leg space and sooooo cold! Only 3 toilet stops!
MONDAY 18th Aug Saw some sights - Monument to Anonymous war hero, Cathedral, Palacio Legaslativo, Plaza Murillo. Went out for curry. Sooooo nice (do I smell? Bloody hell!). Full up but not stuffed like I like to feel after a curry. It was yummy, expensive but worth it!
TUESDAY 19th Aug 15Bs for bus to Copacabana, 3hrs. Nice scenery along the lake. We had to get off the bus and go over on a boat. The bus had to cross as well on a dodgy looking ferry
Anonymous War Hero, La Paz
Looks more like my sister after a night out! that looked like it was about to sink!
Looked round Copacaban and saw some of the "automobile blessings" which were cars covered in flowers. Checked out the Capilla de Velas (Candle Chapel). Nothing special! Along with the Cathedral. Very expensive here. they try to rip you off at every opportunity! Went out for a meal. Fresh Lake Titicac Trout, but stone cold potatoes and veg so we sent it back. It came back equally cold and the fish was dried out now!
WEDNESDAY 20th Aug Up early to visit Isla del Sol. It's legendary for Inca Creation and the birthplace of the sun in Inca Mythology. It's population is 5000 dotted over 7 villages. We began at 0830 leaving on a boat which took till 1030. We paid to visit museum with artifacts from underwater near Isla Koa. We then followed a guide for nan hour but didn't have a clue what he was saying so we left him and walked the path over the island. Pretty scenery of the lake and ports. Only downside was the locals tried to charge you to walk through therir villages but we just barged past them! We got the boat back at
Giant Book
I think my mum and dad would be able to read this without their reading glasses! 4pm and got back to Copacabana at 5.15 changed for sunset and caught that. Bought our Puno, Peru bus tickets - 25Bs each.
THURSDAY 21st Aug Travelled to Puno. Had to change a fiver 'cos we ran out of Bolivian money!
Got a nice hostel with private bathroom for 40 Nuevo Soles (approx. 5.50 quid) A lot of pestering from kids trying to clean shoes. i know they¡re only kids but they just follow you, get really close, and wont take no for an answer! Had a liitle wander and a coffee overlooking the square and cathedral. Got showered, HOT WATER, yaaaaaay. Went out for a meal - I had Mushroom Omelette, Steak, and Lemon Meringue pie and a glass of red wine, Steve had Tomato Omelette, Trout, Apple pie and a bottle of beer. All for 55NS (about a tenner) and WELL nice.
FRIDAY 22nd Aug Up early as brekkie stops at 9am. Checked out the cathedral and there was some sort of disabled convention in the plaza with all army men and bands and allsorts. Had a wander to the market - we went in a motorcycle taxi with a trailer thing on the back. I
New friends
They look happy, don't they? bought a pink t-shirt for less than 1 pound. Tried ro do my blog but the bloody computer has lost all of it from 8th August onwards! (I'm re-typing this now). Saw Bry and Rich's wedding pics which cheered me up. Off to Cusco tomorrow morning so up at 0700!
Fill you in on the latest sometime over the next coupke of weeks.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.194s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 7; qc: 45; dbt: 0.0781s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
121speech.com
non-member comment
yo fui aye!
Brings back memories ! I was there new years 2006 , have fun in Cusco and mattchu pichu. Gracias Craig