Blogs from Samaipata, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia, South America - page 5

Santa Cruz is the biggest and the most modern city in Bolivia. We found there the best night life in Bolivia. From there we headed to a really nice and laid back town called Samaipata, near the national park Amboro. Just after arriving to Samaipata we heard the bad news from back home, about the developing situation in the border of Lebanon and the Gaza strip. Ever since that moment, the trip hasn't been the same for me, as I was half preoccupied with the problems in Israel, being worried about my family and friends, checking whenever possible 'ynet' for the news. Anyway, in Samaipata we made a few day hikes to the national park Amboro, to a nice laguna and some waterfalls near by and to the El Fuerte ruins, dated back from the Inca ... read more

This is Sara to narrate our last 3 days in Saimapata and all our exciting travels back to La Paz. Matt woke up on the morning of March 21 feeling very under the weather with a cough sounding suspiciously like the one Jill had. He decided that it was prudent that he did not go and we both concurred. So after having another wonderful organic breakfast at our dream hostel, La Vispera, Jill and I set off to the Amboro highlands for a hike among the giant ferns. We were introduced to our spanish speaking guide "Don Gilberto" who is reasonably famous as an expert tour operator in Saimapata (aka he is in the guidebook) as well as the Israeli couple who would be accompanying us. The other guide, a German, who was leading a group ... read more

I´m back in Samipata and its hot hot hot!! woopie! finally! Today I visited the Amboro nationl park. Its absolutely huge and covers areas of rainforest, semi tropical forests and mountains. I visited a region called the Volcanes which arent the lava spewing type of mountains but just weird, huge, beutiful red mountains nestled together and surrounded by gorgeous forests. I went with two french tourists (who were a little strange and werent half as fun as my previous french friends!) and a guide who spoke no english. I managed to understand most of what he said but it was hard going at times. Before we started off he pulled a huge machette out of the car. I asked him why he needed such a huge knife and he said "serpentinas" I guessed thats that meant ... read more

So here I am in Samipata, its a little village 3hrs to the West of Santa Cruz and is meant to be the "perfect place to chill out for a couple of days" or so lonely planet says but its absolutely freezing. Theres a fog thats engulfed the whole valley so its wet and cold all the time and its meant to last until Tuesday! Bugger! I came here for some sun! Also I have left most of my stuff in Santa Cruz (Im getting fed up with how heavy my backpack is) and only brought skirts and vest tops! Im so glad i picked up my fleece at the last minute otherwise i truly would be frozen! Im wearing everything Ive brought with me, including my pyjamas! Samipata is about the same size as Limekilns ... read more