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Published: July 27th 2006
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Bunk Bed
A nasty accident After the worlds largest Salt desert we travelled to various towns including the mining town of Potosi, Sucre, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. Taxis in some of these towns steer their automobiles similar to rally drivers. Here I have to definitely write something about Sucre because for me it is one of the most pretty cities in Bolivia in my opinion has one of the nicest characters. Days here were spent gazing at some nice architecture and learning something about the Bolivian way of life. The museums in this vibrant town are a must see here. Apart from the management at our hostel, our sleeping place had a great vibe to it. Full of many nationalities that enjoy to party. Our location was ´Joyride´ which is mentioned within the lonely planet. This Bar/Cinema/restaurant owned by a certain Dutch Gentleman was a lifesaver. Here is where we sunk beer and Irish coffee while watching die Weltmeisterschaft 2006.
Sucre turned out to be stacks of fun, but we still had a seriously long way to go. Our final destination in South America is Sao Paulo in Brazil and we are still absolutely nowhere near it. On a number of occassions we tried to
Cactus
A hairy monster get a bus to Santa Cruz , however always were hit back with MANANA MANANA. A saying we had come accustomised to. This was all due to road blocks, as the people who resurfaced the road were not paid a centavo. They were ticked off because of their slaving work and now wanted REVENGE!
Santa Cruz was still 15 or so hours a way and we were stuck in Sucre! The town was interesting so we didn´t mind so much. The clock was nevertheless ticking and we had to find a way to get out somehow? We ended up being screwed over by a travel agent that sent us 15 hours to Cochabamba and assured us that Santa cruz was not far. Stupidly we didn´t check the map or the roads and worked out that we were still a good 15 hours from Santa Cruz.
Eventually we made it to Santa cruz. Santa Cruz was hot and a great deal richer than the other towns we had previouisly been through. This was also a great town but Sucre could not be beaten purely on atmosphere.
It was now time for the legendary ´Death Train´ to Brazil -
Attack part 1
An attack at the Dinosaur park the death train has many stories why it obtained this scary name. Some say its because it comes of the track now and again, some say its because its so slow and some say its because of the freezing air conditioning they pump through the carriages which make the passengers look like death when they eventually arrive at the platform. Probably all stories are true? After approx 20 hours in the train we were already being hassled by the locals trying to sell their holiday resorts and what not. But we were happy as we were one step closer to the border.
The border between Bolivia and Brazil is full of CORRUPTION! Now wait for this...to leave Bolivia and enter Brazil you have to obtain a stamp, which should be free. Except the border guards won´t let you through, they only accept bribes for the stamp...... otherwise no entry! These young gentlemen wanted dinero and clearly my body was not enough.
´Her Brittanic Majesty´s secretary of state requests and requires in the name of her majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer
such assistance and protection as may be necessary.´
The border guard couldn´t understand a word written in my Great British passport.
But alas.......................................................At least we have finally arrived in thong land.
We´re Brazil la la we´re in Brazil la la.
Our first impression in Brazil was wonderful. We were invited to a barbecue by a group of fisherman who were on a kind of a lads holiday. Not just any barbecue, the meat was delicious, similar to Argentina, the people were more than welcoming and we partied into the night and ended up again in the pool like we did back in Santaigo in the early hours of the night. This was our first encounter with the Brazilian Speedo. (small piece of material designed to cover the private parts of a man......or at least tries to anyway). At the barbecue we drunk our first Capirinhas and Capiroshkas and were taught how to make them. Later during the night we also ate our first fresh Piranah!
From Corumba we visited Campo Grande and the capital Brasilia. Brasilia is like something out of a science-fiction movie. Full of huge silver space aged buildings. The thing about Brazil
Attack 3
I got attacked too! is that it is just so big. Brazil is bigger than USA main land, so you can imagine the distances that we were covering. Sometimes you don´t know if you´re asleep or really awake, however its an exciting way to see this vast lush country full of resources, tiny bikinis and shaved chests.
Salvador was another great town we stayed in full of culture and music. This is the place to be during carnaval although it feels a bit shady in the evenings.
Itacare is where we are now. Beautiful beaches, huge numbers of palm trees and great surf. Everyything here is Tranquilo. This place has to be one of the most chilled out places known to mankind. Surf culture here is a way of life. O.k gotta get back now to my cocktail on the beach. Tranquilo!
Now onwards to RIO. Another 26 hours away!
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