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Well now we have been treated to some rather pleasant hotels and meals over the last week. We have been spoilt rotten since the arrival of my sister and her boyfriend (Gem and Edd).
After a reasonable journey on the night bus we could not wait to arrive at our 3 star hotel in La Paz, what fun. We were however a little early, apparently 5.30 is too early to be able to check into your presidential suite. A little confused with the fact that the place we were staying had a doorman, reception and lobby, we settled in with a cup of coca tea and waited for a more social hour. We were hoping that our saviours (gem and Edd) would arrive that morning, but after checkin emails we discovered they were holed up in a hotel in Miami after missing their connection to La Paz by a matter of minutes and would arrive that evening.
Eventually we were escorted to our room, bell boy in tow and settled in to our rather lovely room. Gas powered shower, cable TV, fluffy towels, toilet paper and no short ´n` curlies in the bed, we were in seventh heaven. Staying at the hotel we were entitled to a buffet breakfast of immense proportions. According to the hotel however this was not available to us until the next morning. We reminded them that my sister had booked a room for the previous night, which she had to pay for and as they were not there to take their breakfast that we would step in for them. This was not possible we were told as the restaurant would not allow it, but we said we would try anyway.
A good hour in the shower and a spot of de-licing we ventured down for the breakfast of kings. The waiter came and took our room number and politely informed us that we were not entitled to a breakfast. I was not bothered about is as food is not high on my priority list, but Ruth got the bit between her teeth and was ready for a fight. Head receptionista arrived and we head a set to with him, discreetly though as other guests were breakfasting. He said it was not possible but we said if the room is paid for then the breakfast should be available. Ruth ever the diplomat asked to speak to the manager. Well the receptionista upon returning looked like a naughty schoolboy, apologised and said that we were in fact entitled to the breakfast. Ruth had won again yet another South American left destroyed by Ruth´s powers of persuasion and influencing people skills (But mostly her blonde hair and nice boobs).
I spent the day treating Ruth to a few goodies and we bought some jumpers and belts, hats and other textile goodies. We returned to the hotel and waited for the imminent arrival of our travel companions for the next week. 8.45 arrived and still no sign, but a rattle at the door and a sqeual of excitement announced their arrival. It was great to see them both and we spent the evening chatting and eating some more Italian food.
Another few hours in the shower later and after a slightly more relaxed breakfast we were off to the airport and our flight to Rurrenabaque and the jungle. The prospect of 45 mins in a twin prop. plane did not fill me with much joy. We were however all pleasantly surprised. It was a very smooth flight and considering we landed on a dirt airstrip, a safe landing. Bloody hell the heat hit you once you got off. Going from about 5 degrees C to 35 C is a bit of a shock to the system. A bumpy and sweaty 10 mins on the bus and we arrived in Rurrenabaque.
We were expecting to stay in a reasonable place and ahve to splash out a bit. So we sent Gem and Ruth off to look at a hotel which seemed quite nice. When they returned however they did not appear overly impressed. I had just told Edd about the hotel with pool and he made the executive decision that we were going there and it was his treat. Well we were not going to complain and upon seeing the pool we were both in love with him. Our rooms were over 2 floors with 4 beds in and great views across the pristine manacured lawns, inhabited by Claudio a type of Ostrich and the river Beni.
The pool was glorious and a welcome rest bite from the searing heat. A veritable feast for lunch washed down with beers and we felt like we were on holiday. An afternoon of more beers, cards and great company was just what the doctor ordered. Later than evening we ventured into town, a 10 min walk and to the Mosquito bar. After a few interesting cocktails and steaks we were ready to hit the hay.
After a few morning tantrums concerning a lack of packing by someones lovely travelling companion we were ready for our big jungle adventure. 2 serene hours folowed being sailed down the river Beni, through breathtaking scenery. We arrived in the intense midday heat at our lodge and were all pleasantly surprised at how nice it all appeared. A tasty lunch with plenty of cool juice served by Moufassa and we had eased ourselves into jungle life, it wasn´t so tough. After a well earned siesta we were off on our first jungle walk. Our guide robin spoke excellent English and kept us abreast of the various jungle happenings and sights along the way. There was not an abundance of wildlife on show, none the less it was a enjoyable stroll through primary and secondary forrest. Sweaty and itching we returned to our jungle fortress and a nice cool shower. Moufassa served a tasty italian dish for tea and it was not long before the exploits of the day got the better of us. By 9pm we were safely tucked up in bed after a wild first night in the jungle.
Our second day brought even higher temperatures and a trip to some local communities. As it was sunday they were all off to sell their produce in Rurrenabaque, so the villages and single hut we visited were slightly lacking in the community bit. It was however an interesting insight into what is a very hard life, where they struggle to feed themselves and their families. The bigger community had impressively clubbed together to pay for a teacher for the village as the government would not help them. Both kids from 5-11 and adults were educated there, it was really great to see. We had ago at using a bow and arrow they used to kill fish. Both girls had a go, with gem getting it a fantastic 10 cm as it kept falling off the bow. Ruth did better and Edd and I narrowely missed the target being the real men we are. We wanted to leave something for the school but didnot want to just give them money so we brought 2 bow n arrow sets off them, in the faint hope that we may get them through customs. They will hopefully make an interesting piece for the wall.
Back to the lodge by boat, lunch and another siesta (for Edd) and it was time for a spot of fishing. Covered head to toe in repellant we all cast our lines into some still water away for the main river. One of the guys from the lodge was first to get a nibble and hauled in a feeble fishy. Edd was next to strike and pulled in a gigantic catfish of truly immense proportions, needless to say gem was impressed with his maniless and I was in awe of his hunter gatherer skills. The only other person to catch anything was of course me, but unfortunately i caught a tree at the bottom of the lake and had to break my line.
Some swimming was planned after our really successful fishing trip. We did not know that it would involve just floating with the current so opted for a shorter journey. It was bloody fantastic. The water was warm and with our life jackets on we could just let the current take us at quite a pace down stream. At times the water got a little shallow and a few bumped bums and feet resulted, but we all loved it and planned a onger swim or float the next day. Another Italian meal (We were saving Edd´s fish for a lunch feast) some cards and another late night in the jungle.
A trip to see the macaws was planned and we headed off once again in the boat. A short walk and we arrived at a viewing platform and a shear cliif where the Macaws dug out their homes. They were quite a sight, displaying vibrant colours, loud sqwarks and a bit of hanky panky in the tree tops. Back in the boat and we were dropped off down stream for a longer floating session and a cooling down from the ferocious heat. Lunch and we feasted on the Huge fish Edd caught. Moufassa struggled to cook the gigantic beast, but we all thoroughly enjoyed the mouthful of fish that came from Edd´s catch as it yielded a deceivingly small amount of meat. Edd´s 2nd favourite jungle activity, a siesta, followed lunch. After the heat of the sun began to fade we set about Edd´s favourite jungle activity, ring making, fashioned from seeds. Edd revealed the true hippy within and excelled in his ring making abilities. It did however all get a bit too much for him, so a beer and quick siesta were called for and he wass soon back to normal.
An early dinner and then night walk were in store. Torches in hand and looking like arabs going into the desert we headed off into the jungle. Spiders and numerous other insects were spotted by eagle eyed Edd until our guide started whistling. There was a crash of something big in the jungle beyond and we all turned our lights off. More whistling and crashing followed and we thought we were in trouble. It turned out to be a taiper whose call is a whistle and our guide was trying to bring it towards us, an interesting idea considering they are over 200kgs. The rest of the walk was less eventful but we still saw some interesting spiders, alligators and fire flies.
Our last day and a 4 hour hike allowed us to see a group of piccaries (very large wild pigs) which was awesome. Back on the boat and 2hrs of wonderful scenery and we were back in Rurrenabaque and to the pool for a cooler.
The internet is now playing up and we need to go and get lunch before our train to Brazil, so we will leave it there for today. Our island trip and biking down the dangerous road will follow shortly.
Hope everyone is well,
Take care, lots of love
Greg and Ruthxxxxxxxxxxx
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