Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
21st December Travelling to Le Paz, Bolivia
Well we left at 8am to travel from Peru to Bolivia. We travelled for a couple of hours till we reached the border. First we had to go in police station then the hall of justice. At the Hall of Justice there were problems for me as I had stayed longer in Peru than I said I was going to. I had miscalculated the number of days I would be there for. I do remember struggling trying to work it out when I landed in Lima and was told to do it roughly. I had known how long tour was for but not how long I was in each country for. It was a little embarassing as had to ask people (Danny and Josh) whether they had money on them as I didn't have change. I ended up paying $11 and 2 sols to get through to Bolivia. A person I didn't know ended up giving me the 2 sol and I thanked him and gave hime a $ coin for it. I am not sure whether it will be any use to him though. I thanked him for it. We then had to get documents on Bolivian side and walk across the border before boarding the bus for Copacabana. I was probably only about 7 days out on my approximation as I had said I would be in Peru for a month.
We travelled a little while longer before reaching Copacabana where we walked to mini-bus to put bags in, then walked to hotel for lunch and bags went with mini-bus. It was funny there as Steffan ordered ice cream- 2 scoops of strawberry, 2 scoops of chocolate and 2 scoops of vanilla. He ended up with 6 dishes of ice cream but he ate it all very quickly. We then got into bus and travelled an hour down to the ferry.We did wonder why we didn't stay on bus on ferry crossing. When we saw the ferry though we understood as ferry was a very rough boat made of wood and it was quite low in water when bus drove on it. We went in a little boat across. I would in future probably take belongings on people boat in case ferry sunk. Apparently one of the group saw them bailing out water on the ferry.
Bus arrived without sinking and we boarded back on it for about 3 hours. Traffic was mental in Le Paz-definitely the worst I've seen in S America. Wasn't India but was getting nearer it.
22nd December Death Road, Bolivia
Well woke up rather nervous about the bike ride today. I was worried that may injure myself and spoil the rest of my time away. We left at about 8:10am and travelled up to 4860m to begin the bike ride. We were kitted up with helmets, pants, jackets, elbow and knee guards. Had some coffee and a cake. Was very nervous about getting on bike but was a bit of a relief when got on that Giddeon was struggling just to ride the bike on flat. Apart from the suspension on a mountain bike which felt a bit odd I knew I could ride in a straight line on the flat without too much problem apart from maybe being a bit slow.
We began on asphalt road and most of others raced off. I stayed at what I thought was the back and did have some other groups overtake me. Danny and Josh waited for me a few times but they weren't too far ahead apart from at start when I was travelling so slowly. It was smooth surface but downhill and windy with some traffic. When we got down to meeting point everyone was already there and asked where was Giddeon. Danny and josh had said he had started before me so I presumed that he was ahead. When we set off again I lost the others when they signalled around roadworks which I couldn't do so I had to wait till road was clear. I also slowed down when I could see a car coming towards me overtaking a lorry. Further along the road was a lorry parked on my side of road so I got off bike there to go by it on inside. We met just before a tunnel which we rode around on a more bumpy track. As it was only about 10 minutes till next stop I kept with the helmet which I was struggling with. It was too tight on my head and was giving me a headache plus making me feel sick. I've got a bigger head than expected. At the lunch stop where we had coke, sandwich and chocolate bar me and Hannah swapped helmets. I did feel bad that Danny also then decided she needed a larger one but I had got there first. The toilets were interesting there as there was no doors on the cubicles and we had women looking after them wondering whether we had finished. Giddeon finally caught up with us all there. We then got in bus for 10 minutes as it was too dangerous to cycle that section due to roadworks.
We then began the more dangerous section with very bumpy surfaces and steep drop to one side. A girl from another group went over the edge and miraculously survived with no injuries. We just saw the rescue attempt of lowering ropes down to her. Giddeon at start told me go faster I can't go that slow so I got him to go ahead of me. I kept slow to keep as safe as I could. Everyone else was ahead of me for whole time at this section and I just caught up with them at breaks. The photographer probably got more photos of me than others though as he was also near the back. I had at least one vehicle following me the whole time checking on me. Was sometimes a bit of a pain as I felt that it was too close to me or one of the vans would sometimes overtake me on inside or outside. A few times I would stop and check to see whether they wanted to overtake me and also to check it was our van. I did have a skid where I did nearly come off bike- luckily on the side that wasn't the steep drop. After one stop we then began riding underneath some waterfalls. Didn't really feel any wetness though as had the thick cycle jacket and trousers (which also protected from abrasion) plus the helmet. At the stop just before waterfalls I was told I had been using the wrong break. I thought I had been being really careful about not touching the front break. After the stop just before waterfalls it was a long time till I saw others. I almost caught up with Giddeon a few times. It flattened out a bit so had to cycle and had my usual problem of not knowing how to use gears. On flat I did get a bit out of control on one of corners going too fast for it so I had to put break on and put feet down. At this stage it was my hardest. I was very tempted to give up but determination kept me going. I had sore arms where the elbow pad was digging in to me, stiff hands from using the break a lot, I was hot and my bum was very uncomfortable on the seat. I got cheered up small hill before next stop and I just managed to get up it. Hannah apparently had got up it and then fell off there.
We then had final bit to do and for some of the time I was ahead of Giddeon as he is fast enough when he is going but he takes a long time to get back on the bike. We had rode down to 1099m at end. Three people went on a more technical path right at end but of course me and a lot of others would not attempt that. The distance was 63.9km including the 10 minutes in the bus. I did go a little dizzy when got off bike as I was so exhausted so I had to sit down for a minute and Hannah got me some gatorade. We then drove to restaurant for late lunch and also some of the others went for a swim. It had been lovely and sunny at restaurant but once in Le Paz it was hailing. Traffic was hideous again and our driver was trying to avoid the traffic so he reversed along the road and then went up a steep icy road. Everyone was thinking please don't go up at road. It is not a good idea.
We arrived to hotel in one piece and our group piled out of the elevator straight away as we were late for meeting our new group. We were pleased to hear that we would have the whole day in Le Paz tomorrow and wouldn't leave till 7:30pm. Poor Hannah wasn't very well at night and apparently I slept talked saying oh s*** in my sleep and then mutter mutter. Hannah was like no this is my bathroom for night please don't let us both be ill.
23rd December Free day in Le Paz and travelling to Uyuni
Went out for brunch.We walked through the witch market area and there was llama fetuses hanging up. We finally managed to find a cafe near the cathedral. We did have to move tables as even though we were inside and the building looked reasonably structurally sound the hail was coming down on us. Had a walk around Le Paz after lunch and bought a few things. As there were problems with the roads we left an hour late at 10pm and we spent sometime in the bus office eating some food before going.
24th December Uyuni Salt flats
Well landed in Uyuni after a very bumpy ride and a lack of sleep. Difficult to eat cereal and yogurt when the bus is bouncing up and down. Some of the cereal balls ended up between my legs so I had to add them back to yogurt pot one by one. It is bad enough having a shaky hand without having the bus shaking as well. Had some bad moods last night on bus as felt quite cramped and then had to go to toilet when the bus was bumping around. First had to wait about 10 mins at back of bus for toilet and then when got in was slipping and sliding around the toilet. When arrived we had 2 hours in the hotel to re-pack, have breakfast (if wanted which I didn't) and had a shower.
First we went to local market. People bought toys for perspective in salt flats and we also got some water. I totally forget about the toys for perspective in salt flats and was finding it a bit odd that all the adults on trip were buying toys. I knew it was Christmas but still thought it was odd. We drove to local town to see how they process the salt. At lunch we ate off salt tables and chairs. Danny said I know this is a daft question but is there any salt. After that we walked around a shop and animal carvings made of salt. After that began driving into the salt flats and stopped to see where they were piling up the salt. I kept missing seeing the holes with puddles of water. Managed to balance on top of the large puddle of salt without getting my feet wet to take some photographs. I don't think we should have been there though as Neil said it makes locals annoyed. We then drove to next stop where there were lots of flags there. Sean got excited when he thought the Irish flag was at the front. His wasn't even there. He joked about British flag being ripped and I said that least mine is there.
We then drove to next stop where we played with toys and different items taking photographs. It was a little wet on salt flats and Hannah didn't think what would happen when she lay on her stomach in a white t-shirt. I had a fight with a dinosaur, stood on water bottle, sat on a banana and had massive shoes in the salt flats. After it we were all rather salty. We drove on to next stop and got out to take our last photographs of salt flat. Unfortunately we couldn't get to fish island due to flooding. We then went to salt hotel for night. Everything was made out of salt. Beds, chairs, tables and floor was made out of salt. Not long after arriving played a game of Kings in the corners and then had tea and hot chocolate with cookies and crackers. Spent time between afternoon tea and dinner writing my journal. For dinner we had meat, vegetables etc. Followed by fruit and then 2 slices of panetone (christmas cake in S America). After that chatted, listened to songs on ipods and we did attempt to sing christmas songs but it didn't last for long. Gazza (guide) accidently threw some red wine over my legs as she tried to sit on seat and it wasn't very steady. Luckily I was wearing dark trousers so didn't make much of an impact. I just washed my trainers and most of my socks were red too. We were in mixed dorms- there was me, Hannah, Sean, Jents, Steffan and Johnathan in the room. Sean tickled me behind the ear and I ended up falling off the bed. People were throwing the salt around the bedroom till Neil (trainee guide) became dad and came to tell us to shut up. I quickly went to sleep after that. Breakfast was at 6:30am for tomorrow anyway.
25th December Uyuni Salt flats
Well we left about 7:40am. We went to stop near a volcano but unfortunately couldn't see it very well. We then went on to the first lagoon which was beautiful with lots of flamingos. We stopped for lunch at the next lagoon and unfortunately it was raining there. We had a lovely christmas day meal (chicken). The toilets were quite interesting there and I did stupidly leave coat in restaurant while I was waiting outside in the rain. The toilet was split into two sections-wee at the front and poo at the back. On the way to stone tree we saw the beautiful seven coloured mountain. At the stone tree we took photographs on the rocks as well as underneath the stone tree. I did end up going to toilet in mens there rather than womens there by a mistake. As I have seen so many different toilets in S America I just thought they were mixed. I should have checked the signs above the door. We then went to red lagoon which was beautiful and then on to the hotel. The hostel was basic with no showers and in the room this time was me, Sean, Hannah, Danny, Josh and Johnathan. There was a puddle being formed in corridor by the rain. Not long after arriving we had afternoon tea then I went back to room to sort out bag. We had dinner early and I retired to bed early as we had to be up at 4:30am tomorrow for leaving at 5am.
26th December Uyuni Salt flats
Saw so many different landscapes and weather today. Panicked when woke up as had been woke up at 4:50am and there wasn't enough time for me to get ready I didn't feel. Sean kindly rolled up my sleeping bag and I wasn't the last one to gather at the meeting point. As we were driving up to geysers we saw snow on the ground. I was glad to see geysers as it is something that I've always wanted to see. It wasn't as exciting as I expected though. We drove to stop for breakfast and there I went into a thermal pool before breakfast.Our next stop was to take photos of snow and have a snowball fight. Giddeon and Johnathan worked together so I only managed to get each of them once and they probably got me about 7 times.
After travelling for a couple of hours it was boiling hot and we had a little walk amongst the rocks upwards. I did lose one of my contact lenses trying to put it in as unfortunately just as I was putting it in there was a small breeze. We then wnet on to lunch stop in rock city or as some people in group called it bedrock after the flintstones. Before lunch we walked for a view over lagoon and then had pasta for lunch eating outside. We relaxed after lunch before getting in bus to a small town. There we got ice lollies. Unfortunately I got cinammon lolly which was pretty unpleasant to begin with but I got used to it. Did begin watching a local sports match there but I had to go outside as all the kids wanted my lolly. We then went on to the train cemetery in Uyuni. Pretty odd place but had some fun there. In the train cemetery there was all rusty trains from 1960. Thought it would be quite a sad place but locals had made swings there and see-saws and it was good to explore around the old trains.
27th December Travelling to Potosi
Well left at 10 o'clock in a bus which we had made private by paying 35 bolivianos each. We stopped twice along the way-once for bus to deliver some beer and then other time for toilet and snacks. Toilets were pretty nasty again but they weren't as bad as what I was expecting from what other people said. Other people paid for them but by the time I had got there the lady that wanted paying had gone off elsewhere. We got in to Potosi earlier than expected. Our room was pretty amazing with kitchen (dining room table), double bed in one room and two single beds in another room. The vast majority of us walked around the town to find somewhere to eat. We found somewhere but we only finished eating lunch at 4:45pm. A group of us went up a tower in Potosi. It was rather a narrow staircase so it was a good job that none of us were very fat otherwise we would have got stuck. Sean and I then were going to look in mint but tour was going to be an hour and a half. We didn't have time for that so we had a slow walk around the town. I bought a 32gb usb for 190 bolivianos even though the shopkeepers didn't seem to be interested in selling and were more interested in tv.
28th December Potosi and travelling to Sucre
Only in Bolivia could you buy dynamite without a licence.We got picked up at 8:30am and first went to local market to buy gifts for the miners so we could take some photographs of them etc. Before going to miners market the guide explained some of the lifestyle of the miners. Some of the others tried 97% alcohol. The guide also said we would try the cigarettes later and I looked at Hannah and said I've never smoked. I was relieved that it was never mentioned again or done. There I bought TNT, Ammonium nitrate and a wire plus a bag of coca leaves, cigarettes and alcohol for the miners. We went to get changed into protective clothes. We were given boots, bright yellow jacket, green trousers and a helmet.
We then were driven up to mines and I was getting a little nervous. We walked into a tiny cave along a small cart track and went to see El Tio. A statue with leaves around, cigarettes in mouth and bottles around him due to ceremonies with him. Some of miners asked for the gifts and then ran off. We walked further into cave and it wasn't as claustraphobic as I expected. Then we had to go further into cave down a vein which was a little nervy but not too bad but I was following Kathryn so it was rather slow. We then had to go further down cave and it was a little dicy- not claustraphobic but steep downwards. Danny panicked as she is scared of heights and made me rather nervous because I was behind her. Got down fine with a bit of slipping. Foot going in place that I didn't want it to go. We then could see what was going on in the cave. Met a 14 or 16 year old down the mine who I had a photo with. Told to give him the cigarettes, alcohol and coca leaves. After spending sometime down there we then had to start the climb back up. This time I was behind Giddeon who was panicking so I had to tell myself that I could do it. The climbing wasn't affecting me it was just it was in a cave and I was in gum boots. I felt good though that wasn't panicking like some of the others. Got up and then some of the others helped the man with his explosives and we gave the last of the gifts. We then were on the final stretch walking out when I stood on a spade handle and luckily it was short as otherwise it would have hurt Sean who was just in front of me. It was a bit like a cartoon sketch. Then miners came towards me pushing a cart and I couldn't get in further enough to the side so ended up creating a bruise on my thigh. I was relieved to come out, it wasn't so much claustraphobic but I began to feel more edgy the longer I was down there. There is no way I would like to work down there. We were dropped off by the mini-bus at a restaurant for lunch.It was an old silver-processing plant.
Bus ride then to Sucre I tried to update my journal but driver was rather fast going around corners so laptop was bouncing on my knee. Hannah was at the front and said it was quite scary but I was quite tired so went to sleep. Everytime I woke up Neil seemed to be taking a photo out of the window. When we arrived we had a bit of time in our rooms before arranging activities for the next few days. I booked to do a dinosaur footprint walk tomorrow and rock climbing the next day. We then went to joyride for dinner and drinks. I then enjoyed dancing till Neil and others decided to go elsewhere. First we walked into a quiet place and Neil was directed to a karaoke bar. We had a lovely dog follow us to karaoke bar. I was not in mood for a karaoke bar and was like oh no when found out where Neil had led us to. Luckily Stefan and Josh were leaving so I went with them after having a coke. The dog then followed us back to hotel and lay down outside the hotel door looking in. Hannah came in not long after me.
29th December Sucre
Went to see the dinosaur footprints. We weren't on a proper footpath but walked along the river (which was nearly all dried up). Did find it a little hard as my hiking boots didn't have good grip on the rock. I did accidently put my foot in a little rock puddle but it soon dried. Strangly enough both me and Sean found it harder to get up the path than we expected. We were at lower altitude but it was still quite hard. When we reached the dinosaur footprints our guide showed us which footprints belonged to which dinosaur by putting toy dinosaurs in the footprints. The geology was quite interesting there and where the dinosaurs had been was now upright. One of the theories for this is a meteorite impact caused the rocks to uplift. On way down we felt a rock which was a similar size to a dinosaur egg. After walk I had a coke and Sean had a beer while stopped in car. We talked to guide and listened to Spice girls in car. We found out the guide had trained to be a lawyer but was working in tourism till he became older.
After that me and Sean went for a pizza for lunch.This restaurant had a trampoline in it for the kids to play on. After that we walked around the main plaza and then went in the museum Casa de Liberdad. This was not a good museum for us as it was all in Spanish and at the start we didn't see an english guide we could go around with. We went in chocolate shop for chocolate cake and I ended up ordering like a chocolate ice cream rather than hot chocolate. I don't know what I was thinking but I wanted a creamy hot chocolate.Then we walked down to local markets and shops and I did some shopping. I was looking everywhere for a wash bag and I finally got one 2 doors away from hotel. Sure I saw that there was a label on them saying 45 bolivianos on it but when looked after it came out of cabinet the label wasn't there. When asked shopkeeper she said it was 50 bolivianos. I think she removed the label but I am not going to argue about the equivalent of 50p. I also bought some bracelets and earings. I also got some headphones. It is tradition also to wear red or yellow knickers on New Years Eve. Yellow is for happiness and red is for love Due to New Year there were loads of shops selling red and yellow knickers.
30th December Sucre
Took immodium and re-hydration salts and stomach held up for rock climbing. I went with Steffan, Jens and Johnathan. I was hoping that I would manage to keep up and wouldn't make a complete fool of myself. I managed to keep up till up to last climb which was a little too hard for me as it didn't have much handholds or footholds. Then I was a bit upset that had to but I had to do some cheating to get up it. I enjoyed it but even before rock climbing I had trouble walking up the hill as my trainers were slipping off as I walked up the hill as they were too loose. We did 4 climbs each and then walked back down. I managed to fall over as walking down but I didn't hurt myself. It was just funny that been climbing and then fell over walking down.
A group of them went for lunch in Joyride but I wasn't hungry as I had a sandwich, apple and chocolate while rock climbing. I joined them for a drink and then went off on my own to get puppets (for teaching), get a bracelet (saying Bolivia- I am collecting a bracelet for each country I go through) and going to a museum which had a viewpoint over city. I couldn't find a bracelet anywhere apart from one with footballs on which I didn't like. I found out I was in wrong part of city for museum so I didn't bother there wasn't time before meeting. I went to get my puppets and met Hannah and Sean in there. They said join us in market. Once I had got my puppets I went to try and find them. I couldn't find them and it was raining. Got a little lost and got back to the hotel in time for the 5:30 meeting. Some of the others went to see a documentary "The Devil's Miner" which I must watch when I get home. I decided to give it a miss as I am fed up of being on the go all the time and I wanted to have a sort out of things and do my packing.
31st December Santa Cruz
We got mini-bus to airport. There we had to say goodbye to our guide Geraldine who had been with us since La Paz. It was sad to say goodbye to her and she was emotional. I enjoyed reading Shantaram on the plane and I was disappointed to land. We got 2 taxis to hotel without any hiccups. After time in our rooms we went out for lunch. We then all went to walk down to main square where there was a band playing.Sean and I dropped Giddeon and Johnathan after we had walked down to a park with them. We went shopping in souvenir shops and I bought a little bolivian style nativity, a christmas decoration, some puppets and finally a bracelet with bolivia written on it. I actually ended up buying two as I had just bought 1 I didn't like too much just in case I didn't see any others. We went down to meet our new tour guide (Pablo) and our four new group members (2 couples- one from Germany, one from Australia). I will be the only english person all the way through the tour. There were a little bit of problems with the arrangements for the new year but a compromise was made to have the limo for an hour rather than 2 hours. We went to the supermarket to get some drinks for the limo before I had a shower and began getting ready.
We got a stretched hummer and drove around Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It was good but did feel a little odd driving around the poorest country in S America in a stretched hummer. Opening the bottle of champagne was a little fizzy but I wasn't doing it. Had a little look through the window in top of hummer but I did have trouble getting down to it so didn't go back to the same seat. Had a glass of champagne and began a smirnoff ice. We then went from one class to another when we had to finish off our drinks in the street outside Burger King.
We walked down to restaurant where the street was closed off for New Year.
We had a nice dinner but it was very late at around 10:30. Some people were eating at 1 o clock in Bolivia at New Year. We went out on to the street when it was coming up to midnight. I didn't like seeing a little kid light a firework and then begin kicking it. The main fireworks were fantastic and was at one end of the street and then the other end. A group of us had arms around us while we watched the fireworks. We jumped a fair few times as there was someone behind us that would send small fireworks into the sky. After that the guide took me to the dance floor as it was Columbian music. I was dancing with him and then Johnathan came and began dancing with me. Sean then began dancing with me after that on dance floor. Spinning me around and around so I almost got dizzy. Locals must have thought I was such a slapper as I danced with three different males in quick succession. I wasn't doing the chasing though.
1st January Santa Cruz
Was so nice to have a lie in this morning till alarm went off at 12 and even then I didn't get out of bed till 12:30. Got packed up and had lunch at 2 o clock. I then spent time on the internet and updating my journal till we got taxis to train station. We then got on train. Its not even 8:30 and lights have turned off. Now on night train updating journal while listening to ipod and I am about to try and do some sleeping.
- comments