Hi All,

Still safe and well althogh quite a few people on our trip have come down with gastro and altitude sickness. Had a great time in Bolivia in last 10 days - fascinating country with definately the steepest and most dangerous roads I have seen. Fell glad to be doing a tour in an ex army vehicle with South African driver!

La Paz (capital of Bolovia was an amazing city. It sits 3500m above sea level in a craggy bowl surrounded by mountains - they have a lot of land slips because many of the homes cling to the cliffs edge. It rivals Kathmandu and India for craziness in terms of the traffic and culture - many trditional people still live in the country with their bowler hats and traditional dresses. We went to the Witches Market one day which was interestin - the markets contain all sorts of interesting potions and lucky charms. One of the best luck items is a dead llama foetus which you put under your house for good luck. Don´t think customs will let that one though!

We also did a 64km downhill mountain bike ride on the death road where in the past up to 100 cars have gone off the cliff each year. Luckily they have built a new road for cars and very few vehicles use it now and it is mainly for mountain bikes. We decended 3500m in 5 hours and I was one of the few people to complete the uphill section at 4500m - fifth overall and first female in our group of about 40 people.

Made it safely to the bottom (yay!) and got n impressive view of the 600m cliff drops on the bus ride back home.

Currently in Peru - did a farm stay last night at Lake Titicaca and has to dress in tradtional Peru costume - some funny photos. Heading to Cusco tomorrow and start the Inca trek to Macchu Picchu on 7 May for 4 days which will no doubt be a highlight.

Hope everyone is well and safe

Adios for now
Heather xx