LA PAZ

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24.5.2012

Big day today, La Paz is very vibrant and busy, we really love it. Very, very cheap living here, prices are exceptional for most things. Good shopping spree place. Our hotel is right down the bottom of the gully in the commercial area, so to walk anywhere its up!! both sides - John says he will be glad to go because of the altitude, SOB, dry and stuffed up noses for both of us. We set off with our guide Nemesis this am, he is so passionate about his country - he has been wonderful. Mount Illimani sits behind us at 6439 mts very pretty with snow covered peaks. We visited the Presidential Palace, Cathedral, National Congress, Witches markets and then outside of La Paz, Moon Valley, amazing erosion of canyons and pinnacles that form a bizarre landsape. I asked our guide if he could take us to San Pedro Prison (anyone who read Marching Powder will know the significance of this), he wasn't too keen as he says if you get caught taking photos your camera will be confiscated. Anyway he took us and we got out for a little walk in the garden opposite the prison and did get a shot. The prison is right in the city centre. Guards everywhere outside. Glad we saw it. Then in arvo went for a bit of retail therapy, pity our bags are so tight, the shopping here is the best we have had, the Alpaca knights are just fantastic as are coats, jackets etc. We have been up and down hills like you wouldn't believe. Whilst on our city tour Nemsis took us past the City Theatre in Laz Paz, there was a great show on we saw, so in our retail therapy time went back and bought tickets (another four blocks up hill) and shouted our tour leader Elder. Had a great dinner at Sol y Luna, and then to the show, it was fascinating to see this gorgous theatre built in 1845, and the show was terrific. $7 a head. Then back to hotel as Elder is leaving us at 4.30a.m.tomorrow to head back to Cusco.

25.5.2012

Hotel breakfasts are crap, so set off on a three hour walk this am, and had breaky out at Pepe's which we had researched on Trip Advisor, best breaky we have had for a few weeks. Walked through all the local markets, meat, fruit, veges very busy but fascinating watching all the people go about their business, to the San Francisco Church. Back to hotel as we have 1.30p.m. pick up for 4.30 flight to Santiago in Chile. Very sorry to leave La Paz so soon, could have done with another day or two here.

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Photos

WITCHES MARKET
OFFERINGS FOR MOTHER EARTH

SAN PEDRO PRISON
TAKEN ON THE SLY AS NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE PICS

Comments

[kaz]

hey lucky im not their for the shopping john would kill me ha ha love to you both bit of bad news aunty jeans son (kerry) was found dead in his bed massive heart attact we think autopsy will be back mon so we will be going to condo next week he was only 42 love kaz xxxxx

[rhonda]

Have you bought a hat yet?