Category: South America

Bolivia – La Paz, Coroico & Sucre

Altitude aside, I really enjoy La Paz. This was the third time I have been there and though many things have changed since 1994 (some things that were very unique and fascinating have disappeared, pity) I still find the place great to visit and interesting in many ways. The main change from the last time I was there is the introduction of a cable car network that allows you to move around parts of the city with ease and comfort (without being out of breathe every time you are confronted by the smallest of hills). Really cheap (especially for the foreigners) and great to take photos from. Perfect!   

After a few days in La Paz I headed down (way down - over 2000m) to Coroico so that the many bugs down there wouldn't be hungry and they could have a feast on (in?) me. Tried my best to insecticide myself but they always seemed to find a way through - scumbags. Anyway, I have been to worse places for bugs and I am very positive worse places await. Coroico is a small town with nice climate and views. The drive down is pretty scary at times especialy with the usual driving maniacs you seem to find all through Sth.America. It is situated close to the ending place for all those herds of mountain bikers that fly down from the top of the pass near La Paz (approx 4,200m above sea level) on asphalt road before veering off onto the gravel of the death road (did this many years ago, no mistakes here or its a long way down). Passed on doing it again and instead did some canyoning and rafting. Had a great day (me along with 3 German dentist girls, over here volunteering their time to help the locals, nice). 

The canyoning part involved a jump off the rocks into the river below. The last time I did this - in New Zeaand - it did not end well after a slip resulted in many bruised ribs. This time all went well but being comfortable about it I was not. We also practised floating down the river in our 'just in case we fall out of the raft' position before testing it through the rapids into a place called the washing machine (for obvious reasons). Walking under a waterfall was also included and although it didnt look like much, the power of the water falling on our heads was quite severe - check out the video.  

And then the rafting...

After Coroico it was back to La Paz then Sucre where I spent a week learning Spanish at a school. Still crap at it and what is worse is that I am now in Santa Cruz about to catch a train to the Brazilian border where they speak Portuguese!! Should have given up ages ago.