We Survived the Death Road!!!

Ya we did!! Loads to tell.....

Ok, so, spent a massive day shopping in La Paz on Tuesday. Was so much fun. Everything is so cheap(except YOUR present of course!!) Went for breakfast, shopping, dropped off a load at the hostel, and shopping again! Met Jared(Irish) and Freddie(Swedish) at the hostel and ended up going to the bar Mongos for dinner and drinks. Fun night out. Jared was crazy and very entertaining!

Wednesday we found out our friend Jamaica, that we met in Santiago, was in La Paz so went to find him. Found him at his hostel and he came for breakfast with us, along with his roomies Steve(who I actually met breifly the night before) and Reegan. We were all pretty hung over that day. But we made it to the Coca Museum. Very interesting but we had to read all the english translations of everything, so a lot of work for us. Upstairs there was a vidoe and comfy pillows. We all squeezed in and watched the video twice!!! Then for some pampering. Me, Trace, Reegan, and even SteveO got pedicures! Nice. And Jamaica got a hair cut. Then to dinner. Me and Trace went back to the hostel for some rest, then went to a place called Sol y Luna with Freddie. We were supposed to be meeting Jamaica and Steve, but they never made it and we met up with other guys they were also supposed to be meeting....Sam(Seattle), Alan and Martin(a couple of cool English guys that are doing a motorbike trip around the world!!). Went to a couple other bars before calling it a night.

Thursday was spent being very productive. Shipping home all our purchases, getting bus tickets, burning cds, etc. Rewarded ourselves with some good wine(hard to find in Bolivia) and a great dinner at Sol y Luna. Then went to meet Martin at Mongos, and also saw Jamiaca, Steve, and Sam. Another fun night out in La Paz.

The next day we took the bus to Copacabana, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. We had to ferry across, and then watch the bus get ferried across on a barge, with all our stuff strapped to the roof! Spent a night in Copacabana, which is a very quaint little town. Took the boat over to the Isla del Sol, and got dropped off at the north end of the island. Went to the ruins there and found ourselves with a nine year old tour guide. She was so cute. After that we hiked over the top of the island from north to south. It was a beautiful hike, but the uphills were a killer at such high altitude(3800meters). Took us about 4 hours to get to the village at the south end. Got a room in a hostel and walked around a bit. Down the old Inka stairs to the natural springs, was a killer coming back up. We were spent after that, and went back to the hostel to enjoy the sunshine. That night we went for a yummy dinner of trout and there was a wicked thunder, lightning and hail storm.

The next day we were up early and tried to get to the other ruins on the island. Made it half way, but decided we didnt have time. So went down to the shore and waited for our boat. A long day of travelling. Back in Copacobana we got showered, bus tickets and lunch. Then the ride back to La Paz took forever. On the outskirts of the city we were stuck in the worst traffic. It was crazy. Cars going which ever way, trying to squeeze between others. Took forever to get through. Finally got to La Paz and got a hostel. Dinner and early to bed.

Up very early in the morning for our bike tour to Corioco. The road is called "The most dangerous road in the world" or "The death road". For someone whos experience with bikes is very limited, I was a little nervous. They picked us up at the agency around 7:30am and we drove out to the start of the ride. There were 7 of us(3 Aussies and 2 Austrians) along with two guides and a driver for the van. The start of the ride was on paved road, and the road is going down the entire way, except for a short streach that went up. Killer at the altitude. We went from 3800 meters to 1200 meters, which took us about 4.5 hours. It was the craziest road I have ever seen! And it was SO much fun. After about an hour on paved road, it changed to gravel. Just wait till you see the photos, I dont think any explanation will give it justice. It went down the entire way and the road was right along a steep cliff, and pretty windy and narrow. Thankfully it was dry but there were some areas where we had to ride under waterfalls and over streams. We got soaked. It was so fun. It was pretty cold at the start but by the time we reached the bottom it was steamin hot. Two of the girls fell(not me! YAAA!!!), and one of the guys had something caught in his gears, but other than that we all made it safe and sound to Corioco. I dont know what else to say about it, but that it was so amazing and I recommend it to anyone visiting Bolivia. SO FUN!

In Corioco we celebrated with a couple beers, and then they took us to a hotel to shower and have lunch. After that the rest of them went back to La Paz, while me, Trace and the Austrians went to a hotel called Esmeralda. We are now enjoying a well earned rest from it all. Corioco is very tropical feeling. And the hotel is fantastic. Its set on the hill overlooking part of the town and gorgeous green mountains. It has a pool, hammocks, fooze ball table, pool table, movie room, and sauna. And we have the most amazing view from our balcony. And its not that expensive at all. About $7 Canadian a night. I love it! We dont want to leave! But we must. Spent the entire day yesterday lounging by the pool, reading, laying in the hammocks, playing pool, and just getting some rest. Today we have to take the bus back to La Paz, because tomorrow we are on our way to Oruro for Carnival! Its going to be so fun.

So thats it from this end of the world. Still having the most amazing time. But time is flying by. But actually starting to get excited about coming home. Cant wait to see you all, and all those babies that have been born while I was gone. Funny, last time I was gone everyone was getting married.....and this time everyone is having babies!!!

Ok, cheers all!!!! Photos of the death road soon!