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Published: March 6th 2012
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Hey everyone, we have finally found an internet cafe so we can upload some photos for you all to see! However, they are not loading onto the blog for some reason but here is a link to our albums on facebook:
Josh's album - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150710141931047.449312.504281046&type=3&l=5ba1869821
Jess's album's - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150542603656448.373615.507401447&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150600239746448.380902.507401447&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150600347121448.380914.507401447&type=1
Sorry about the abrupt end to our last blog but our transfer to the bus station arrived earlier than expected. To summarise we had a great time in Rio with our friends who we met up with from Uni, Allie, Holly and Rory (they wanted a mention so there you go!) It was really sad to say goodbye but we're just glad we got to spend nearly a week with them in one of the worlds best cities!
So we left Rio late on wednesday night (29th Feb) and traveled by bus overnight to Sao Paulo, after an 8 hour wait in Sao Paulo airport we flew to La Paz in Bolivia via Santa Cruz with the total flight time being around 4 hours or so. We arrived in La Paz at around 8.30pm local time and caught a taxi with
a couple of australian girls we had met on the flight to keep the cost down, even though a half an hour taxi ride only cost the equivilant of 6 pounds! Its so very cheap here and on our first day we were delighted to find a thai restaurant which offered a 3 course lunch with all you can eat salad bar for roughly 3 pounds. It really has been a shock (but a good one) coming to Bolivia from Brazil which is the most expensive country in South America.
We have both loved our time in La Paz, there is so much to do here and everyone is really friendly. However, the temperature has been a shock, as left Brazil it was in the mid 30s and arriving in La Paz its around 8 degrees here, plus the altitude has been difficult. As La Paz is 3500m above sea level, we are told it is the highest capital city in the world, and we have both struggled with headaches, trouble breathing, nausia and problems sleeping. However, neither of us have actually been sick and we have still been able to do all the activites we wanted.
On
our first full day here (Friday 2nd March) we took our time adjusting and walked around the city and its extensive markets, we also made a couple of purchases, Jess got herself a silver ring with a local stone embedded in it and because of the cold Josh got a jumper made out of Al Paca wool.
On our second day here (saturday) we took a coach trip to a nearby temple ruin and archeological site in the town of Tiwanaku, where we were given a tour of the museums and ruins which was really interesting. On sunday we went to see the local entertainment of Cholita (women) wrestling, which was interesting to say the least. It was good fun though and amazing how the locals got so into something which is so obviously staged but it was more like slapstick pantomime rather than actual wrestling, but fun all the same.
Yesterday (monday) we went on an organised trip to cycle down 'Death Road' which has the name of the most dangerous road in the world. I believe it is the road that Jeremy Clarkson may have driven down on an episode of top gear. Although there have
been fatalities we were assured that no one had died cycling down it for a least 5 years. However, sitting in a bar the night before I was a little unnerved when an Australian guy walked in with his arm in a sling after falling off his bike and breaking and dislocating his shoulder! He did admit that he was going too fast and that it is safe if you're sensible, which we both obviously are! We started at 7am and drove around an hour and a half up the andes when we reached the summit at 4900m, it was seriously cold and we were literally in the clouds, we then descended for an hour down tarmac road dodging traffic until we reached the entrace to death road.
Death road was not tarmac but essentially a dirt track with lots of large stones and many winding bends, parts of the road could not have been any more than 2 meters wide, with the cliff face on one side and an extremely steep, almost verticle drop to the other! We daren't look down but the views of the mountains were abolsutely breathtaking. As we descended the temperature kept rising and
every time we stopped we had to remove another layer of clothing until eventually we were just in shorts and t-shirt (but with our helmets, knee and elbow protectors still on of course!) After 4 hours of cycling we reached the bottom and found ourselves in the Bolivian jungle some 1200m above sea level, having descended some 3700m! Where we were met with a buffet lunch and showers to cool down, also quite possibly the biggest insects we have ever seen and within five minutes we had been eaten alive by mosquitos. We relaxed here for an hour or so and then headed back to La Paz, returning at around 8pm, when we were dropped off we were so tired we didn't know what to do with ourselves so we had a quick dinner in silence then staggered up the hill and both of us were asleep by 9pm!
We have both woken up this morning aching from head to toe, however the whole experience was definitely worth it and we would recommend it to anyone! Despite the weather (the cold and the rain as it is their rainy season) and the altitude we have absolutely loved La Paz,
so incredibley different from Rio and Buenos Aires but very charming in its own unique way. Due to its lack of western influence lots of traditions are still evident here such as the traditional dress of the local women and the colourfullness of their clothing and because of this it feels like we're experiencing a very unique culture.
Today we are heading off to Copacabana which is a town next to Lake Titicaca where we are going to spend a couple of nights before we head onto Cusco in Peru and visit Machu Pichu on saturday.
Hope you enjoy the photos, see the bottom of the page!
lots of love Jess and Josh xxxxxxxxxxxx
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Roger Horn
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Fantastic photos
I am wondering how you are ever going to settle at home after all this ... and just think..... NZ and Oz to come, not to mention SE Asia. Loved the photos on Facebook, stunning scenes. Do hope the weather is good for you at Machu Pichu.