Death Road - Bolivia. 6th February

Hello,

After returning from Uyuni to La Paz our friend and fellow traveller Jack had just got back from completing the Death Road - "the most dangerous road in the world", by mountain bike and had loved it and therefore I demanded that Gee and I take the plunge and do it - despite the fact I can barely ride a bike! We decided to go with a group of friends we had met while travelling who attended Rugby School, a rivalling school to my senior school. It was a group of mainly boys and then three girls, us and our new friend Sophia. It was a very early bus journey and wasn't feeling my best after partying the night before but soon we were on our way, fitted with all the protective gear and a sick bag for me. In the end, I loved the whole experience and enjoyed the risk and speed. The same could not be said for Gee and Sophia, although I did agree that the freezing temperatures and the persistent rain did dampen my spirit at some points! There was only one scarily hairy moment when I came round a corner and hit a boulder... I did think "oh no, this is it,  off the edge!" But I somehow (?) Managed to right myself... I know, I can't believe it either. Here are some photos taken by Gee and the guides.

Los of love,

Clementine x

Sophia, Gee and I

Me!

Our group

A long way down!

Our group again

Looking Pro

Pretty High!

Nearly done...

We made it!

Uyuni and the Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) - 4th February

Hey,

After a couple of days in La Paz We decided to take the overnight bus to Uyuni to see the Salt Flats. Uyuni is situated in the southwestern corner of Bolivia. The desolate city is not famous for it but its Salt Flats Also for the extreme cold That unrivaled During the winter takes over. However, while we were there it was pleasantly warm with just a cool breeze. In the current city there is not that much to do or see but all the locals were lovely and the atmosphere Could not have been better. After horrendous 14 hour journey out bus (It Was the length of time ... it was the bus) we arrived mid morning and September off to find our tour station where we met the rest our group Which included two Australian girls called Bella and Isabelle who we soon Became fast friends with. Our guide was called Bruno and could not speak a word of Inglés but you did not really need a guided tour. The beauty spoke for itself. We started off by going to the train cemetery. The trains Were Only abandoned in the 19th century but due to the harsh weather and the landscape has eroded and rusted metal leaving behind skeletons haunting. We then drove to the salt flats now, They spread far into the horizon and the lithium below the surface Creates a hazy mirage. They are quite ethereal. Part of the flats Were covered in a layer of water due to the extreme rain That has been coming down on Bolivia recently Which meant feet and out into the salt slightly meaning we took off our shoes on the sharp surface. Bruno then took us to a hotel salt Which was more like a random, decaying building in the middle of no where but I Proceeded to cook us a wonderful lunch of chicken and rice with oranges for pudding. A rare treat fruit out here! Parts of the flats Were closed so instead of taking yet more photos we persuaded Bruno to drive us around the flats while we sat and sunned ourselves on the roof of the car! The 4x4 was a little unreliable and kept breaking down Which was not too encouraging as we had to get back to Uyuni to catch our night bus back - joy. Two 14 hour bus journeys in virtually a metal box on wheels Was not an enjoyable experience! I had my head stuck out the window Most of the way back to La Paz but the trip was worth it! Here are some photos! Enjoy.

Lots of love,

Clementine x

La Paz - 2nd February

Hello,

At the start of February we arrived in La Paz. The largest city in Bolivia, although it is not the capital. It took a few days to adjust to the altitude as it is a dizzying 3660m above sea level. The city, although over crowded and dusty, is set to a beautiful backdrop. The city clings to the sides of a cast canyon and in the background is the snowy Mount Illimani which is a whopping 6402m. It took a while to adjust, not only to the altitude, but to the vastness of the city. It is huge and full of bustling people. The there are many busy markets and crowded alleys with trendy cafes. The weather was a harsh mix of pouring rain and clouds, and overbearing heat. The altitude made it an effort to walk through the hilly streets - the only close supermarket seemed to be halfway up the canyon side, however, in reality without the altitude the walk would have been a breeze. The most stressful part of our week stay in La Paz was the trip to the post office to send home some our goodies that we had collected along the way. Having been travelling for only ten days or so my package was an easy over the counter job. The same could not be said for Gee who seemed to be sending home half her backpack which had been overflowing with alpaca blankets and place mats that she has collected in Cusco. The package was too big for a box over the counter and therefore we had to trek down to the basement of the office and have it hand sewn into a laundry style bag and send it special class - at this moment in time it still hasn't arrived! While we stayed in La Paz at the Wild Rover hostel we also took day trips to the Salt Flats in Uyuni and to the Death Road - look it up on Top Gear. These will feature soon!

Lots of Love,

Clementine x

More from Lake Titicaca and Isle del Sol

Hello,

These are some more photos from Lake Titicaca and Isle del Sol from ages ago. They are off my camera which is being a little difficult with me; thus I am only just putting up the photos. Sorry!

Enjoy!

Lots of love,

Clementine x

Copacabana and Isle del Sol

After Machu Picchu we spent another day in the Loki hostel in Cusco and we then took the over night bus to Copacabana - located on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca. It was pretty quiet at Copacabana so we decided to take one of the local ferries over to Isle del Sol on Lake Titicaca itself. The Isle was very quaint and quiet on the South side which probably meant that we should have been on the North side! To hike up to the main area with our backpacks would have taken forever so we chose a hostel lower down the island. There were three of us in a one bed room which was definitely interesting but Jack was very gallant and slept on the floor among many blankets and sleeping bags. However, We did meet two lovely German travellers who were making their way around South America before settling down as teachers in Lima - the capital of Peru. As the island was so quiet we decided to take the earliest boat out of there! Which unfortunately wasn't until 3.30pm. We were saved from our boredom, however, by four Argentinians who we shared lunch and card games with. Arriving back at Copacabana we saw the beginning of a Bolivian festival where both the men and the women were fully decked out in traditional costume.

 Cusco - day

 Isle del Sol

 Lake Titicaca

More From Machu

Hello,

I just thought that I would upload some more photos from Machu Picchu now that I have had access to my camera. Still contemplating the beauty of it - plus the pain from the hike up! I don't think that I have ever done so much exercise!

Lots of love,

Clementine x