Hola huevones!!!

Sorry its been so long since i´ve updated the blog here on STA, have occasionally put the odd bit up on FatBoob but not ahd much time for much else on here as really have been quite busy doing very important things with fellow travellers/gringos (ie: drinking, chatting and visiting important historical sites - bars. I mean ruins!)

So, Copacabana was rela cool and chilled overall. Isla del Sol was cool too as was the boatrides there and back. A shortish bus journey on a collectivo (local bus) of 4 hrs took us into the stunning setting of La Paz. A city enclosed within some big mountains at an altitude of around 3,600m! Got here rather late in the afternoon so didn´t have time to do much . . . . . or so i thought!!! Shared a somewhat ok dorm room with a couple from Londinium and S.Africacaca called Matt and Kirsty, then met another couple they knew called Jason and Elise. We all booked to so the death road ride and went for an impromtu meal in the center of La Paz which turned out to be rather spiffing!! Then went back to the Hostal bar for some evening entertainment! That didn´t end until 7 am the next morning. I guess they didn´t call it Bash & Crash Hostal for nothing! Jason and I were up for the duration until 7 (post drinking games with some Swedes) grabbed a half hours sleep then proceeded with the ´Death Road´ experience. I guess they don´t call it the death road for nothing! A minibus climbed up to 4´700m altitude and dropped about 12 of us off with a couple of guides, we got kitted out in tight pants, gloves and skid-lids then we made our merry way down the mountain. Jason and i were definately still drunk, but there´s nothing like cold mountain air to refreshen the senses! Thefirst 15k were on nice tarmac roads but thereafter it became a lot more tricky . . . . . . . the roads narrowed to a MAX of 3.2m with the occasional passing place. Only loose gravel and stones. 600m drops most of the way. Waterfalls and rain to contend with. Recent landslides to dodge. Slow riders to burn past. Poor visibility due to hangover. Only severe concentration and blind luck saw the whole group down in one piece - especially Jason and I! And how did we celebrate this 70k, 4hr feat??? Well, with an ice cold beer of course! More then worth it for the amazing views over the cliff edges, the waterfalls and canyon scenery. If you ever go to La Paz, you MUST do this! Minus the late night before :-)

After this, an overnight journey to Uyuni was in order, so that a trip to visit Salar de Uyuni could be arranged. Was another one of those tiring overnight journies with another impossibly bumpy road enabling zero sleep - never-the-less was greeted by a town in the ilk of the wildwest in Uyuni . . . . . . arranged a 4 day tour for the next day, starting in Uyuni and working our way down through the Bolivian Salt Flats, the indomitable Train Graveyard, some incredible mountainous scenery whilst touching 5,000m altitude. We had the pleasurable company of a chap called Rudi and three Uruguayans call Mari, Inies and Sandra! Also visited were some lovely lagoons at great heights, the Dali Desert, some Geysers and a thermal pool - which we left for at 5am in -10c and i wore my shorts :-). A true Brit or what??? :-) Have many many many great photos from this excursion which i shall again endevour to post soon. Ish.

The next chapter begins with a simple crossing over the Bolivia/Chile border then onto the charming town of San Pedro de Atacama. It only has 2,000 inhabitants and has cool laws the don´t allow any buildings to be over 1 storey in height, they´re not allowed to tarmac any roads (so its either dirt roads or cobblestones) and they don´t allow alcohol only bars - which all lends itself to it being a characterful, beautiful and unspoilt town. We stayed in Hostal Cabur and promptly met a loads of nice people - mainly Guillarme (Francais) and Jo (Usais). I did another round of sandboarding which confirmed i am still a sandboarding god, though after i was knackered as after each run i had to climb back up the hill myself :-( . . . . . . . . afterwhich we were taken to a viewpoint over the valley de La Luna, and with a Pisco sour in hand proceeded to watch the most amazing sunset against the mountains. The rest of the night was spent drinking copious amounts of the local Cerveza - Escudo - ´some´vodka and ´some´ rum!! Great night had by all around the Hostal fire . . . . . . . . The following night a large group of us went on a proper stargazing tour. We were taken to the middle of the desert and had a 2 1/2 lesson on the seasonal constellations, significant stars and the milkyway. The skies are stunningly clear out here and via some 10 powerful telescopes we were all able to see a variety of stars and best of all a completely clear view of Saturn and its rings in all its glory!!! Even managed to take a couple of cool pictures through the telescope! Again, i shall try to upload said photos soon. Ish!

Sadly have now had to leave another set of amazing peoples company and am now in Santiago, Chile, after a non-stop 23hr coach ride. Tomorrow will be doing some wandering and shopping and hill climbing and eating and drinking as . . . . . . . . . I´ve booked flights to EASTER ISLAND!!!!!!!!

CIAO AMIGOS ! ! ! ! !