I want to get high, so high.

Arriving in La Paz, Bolivia at 4,000m was quite a shock to the system after being at sea level in Colombia. We arrived in the cool, crisp mountain air and had a feeling this would be a completely new experience. Driving from the airport we passed the top of the city which was an amazing sight with the whole city seemingly sitting in a huge crater surrounded by massive mountain peaks.















La Paz felt like it had been in a time warp.

La Paz was a good place to base ourselves for a number of activities including mountain biking, hiking and general outdoors stuff, and Marc could not wait to get on a bike again and go for a ride; it had been too long according to him!

I also enjoyed the local witches markets where I bought some very cheap and colourful souvenirs.

The good luck charms in the witches market

Dried llama fetus which bring good luck if buried beneath your front door step (I didn't buy one of those)

We headed by bus to Copacabana  which sits on the stunning Lake Titicaca. We did some hiking on the beautiful Isla Del Sol, breathing in the very clean crisp air and admiring the views of the mountains of Bolivia and Peru.

Copacabana

Hiking on the Isla Del Sol

Heading back to La Paz we booked ourselves on one of the mountain bike tours of the famous 'Death Road'. Widely referred to as the worlds most dangerous road, its a rough, narrow track chiseled out of near-vertical mountainsides and was until recently used as a main traffic through fare. Fortunately for us (and my nerves) it isn't used frequently by cars anymore as a new, safer road has been built.

So, off we went starting at 4700m above sea level and descending over 3500m in the course of four hours. Starting at the top it was cold and at times there was freezing fog blocking our views of the steep drop offs a matter of metres from our feet. When the fog lifted the views were amazing and the air warmer.

Looking like pros!

This picture doesn't really convey the sheer drop (or the look of horror on my face!)

A reality check seen too many times on the way down

I felt a huge sense of relief at the end of the trip, although Marc didn't really find it very thrilling at all!

After the thrill of the Death Road we hung around in La Paz and went to the Museo de la Coca which helped us understand the importance of the production of coca in Bolivia and how it was used in the past to keep people working long hours in the mines. The indigenous people still chew it today and it is legal to purchase and chew in Bolivia and Peru. We both tried some and could see why it was used as a medical anesthetic as the side of our mouths went numb.

Bolivia is full of surprises; we went to an event called Cholita Wrestling where traditionally dressed indigenous women wrestle (and I use that term loosely) with lycra-clad men and children; it really has to be seen to be believed.

Next up was a tour to the Salar de Uyuni and Reserva Eduardo Avaroa. We headed south by train which was a very relaxing experience and started our tour of the salt plains in a 4WD with four other Europeans.

The salt plains were a pretty awesome sight and stretched as far as the eye could see.

We stopped at a cactus island in the middle of the salt plains

Spot the Marc!

That night we stayed in a salt hotel where the building, tables and chairs, and even the beds were made from salt.

The following day we visited numerous beautiful lagoons filled with flamingos and stinky sulphur. We also saw herds of very cute and cuddly looking llamas.

I wanted to take one home with me

Flamingos & Lagunas

The bomb proof Toyota Land Cruisers

The inspiration for some of the works of Salvador Dali

So we had ended our time in Bolivia and it was now time to head further south and start our coast to coast overland travel from Valparaiso in Chile to Rio in Brazil. Lots more miles to cover so keep a look out for the next post soon.