Sorry for not writing sooner.. I am still alive after my bike ride in Copacabana!! It was the first time I rode on the back of a bike and it was so much fun! Sean and Liv went together and Michael and I went together. It was actually a dirt bike on a dirt road, so it was pretty bumpy but really fun especially when we went fast! And the scenery was beautiful, we were riding along the coast of the Lake Titicaca just before sunset. That same day for lunch, we went to a restaurant where they were playing Tracy Chapman´s album! I was so happy!
We arrived in La Paz on Sunday and searched for a hostal for about an hour because everything was booked. In the evening we went out to the Wild Rover hostal accross the road and had a great time! Nights out in Bolivia are cheap! When Wild Rover closed we looked around for something to eat, but of course being Sunday, everything was closed, so we asked about 32 cab drivers where we could eat and finally were taken to this strange place with stalls and women making burgers for 6 bolivianos (60 pence). And then we wanted to dance some more so we went to Mongos, which is a nightclub and begged the bouncer to let us in for the last half an hour!
On monday, we walked around La Paz and went to the Witches market and the normal market. I´m not quite sure if I like La Paz. It´s very busy and not that pretty. In the evening, we went back to Wild Rover and then to Blue Bar or Blue something and danced the night away!
Yesterday, we biked down the World´s Most Dangerous Road, also known as Death Road. It earned its name from the many road accidents and deaths that have happened there over the years. It´s now closed to cars and trucks, but some still use it. Other wise, they have built a new road which is supposedly much safer, I guess because it´s paved, but more on that later. So we booked our tour for the road and were picked up at 8 am. It was not an easy wake up! We were driven to La Cumbre, east of La Paz, where the road begins. There we were given our bikes, helmet, knee and elbow pads and the body gear. And then we were on our way. The first half hour or so is on a paved road, then we got into the mini van, which followed us the whole way down, to go up hill for 8 km until we actually got to the Death Road. This part of the ride is not on a paved road but like a dirt road with lots of stones. Parts of the road is really wide but then some parts are so tight.. I have no idea how a car would be able to pass through some times. At the beggining of the road , this guy in front of me skidded and I fell off my bike cos I had no where to go. I almost smacked my face on the ground but instead squashed my thigh under my bike. It actually really hurt, but I got straight back up! We stopped a few times along the way to look at the views and the insane drops down the side of the mountain. We stopped at onw point at the drop was actually vertical and the guides made us sit along the edge of a very cool picture! We stopped for snacks and drinks too. Towards the end of the road, it was very much downhill and we were all very excited so we were all going pretty fast and then Michael flew by me! Of course, I wanted to catch up with him and I sped up and lost control of my bike. I don´t remember what happened but I tumbled over my bike and remember skidding along the road for a few seconds. Ouch! I grazed my shoulder, side and arm and my knees are blue! The mini van arrived and offered to drive me the rest of the way but being the trooper that I am, I stumbled to my feet and limped over to my bike and got right back on there! Just before my accident, we were riding and one of the guy stopped and looked back and all we could see was one guy hanging from the edge of the cliff!!!! He has fallen off of his bike and sliped off the edge and managed to hang onto a branch or plant or something!! How lucky was he! I tell you, it´s a long way down!!
We went to a steak house last night and had very yummy steak. The guys (David and Paul and travelling with us too now) has a the most amazingly tender steak, flambed in Jack Daniels! Then we went to surprise surprise, Wild Rover! Liv and I went to bed at 6 am and woke up at 1 pm!! The boys came back at 10 am apparently!! They are still sleeping now and its 5pm!
Tonight, we are going to see the Cholita wrestling, in El Alto. It´s a group of women who dress up in their traditional dresses and wrestle! Apparently it is very very funny! I think one of these nights, we are going to go to an indian restaurant where you can eat the hottest curry in South America and if you manage to eat it, you win a t-shirt! Hmm... not sure I´ll be able to eat it! I may stick to my Chicken Tikka Massala and laugh at the boys in pain!
On Saturday morning, we are going on a 3 day, 2 night jungle tour to Pampas. We´re going to hunt piranas and anacondas and even swim in dolphins! Nothing like Arutam ey! We fly out on Saturday morning, apparently the flight only last 30 minutes and you fly really low of the Andes!
Got to go wake up those boys and eat because I´m hungry again! Until next time ....
I googled "the road of death" and there are pages and pages on it, with some pretty scary pictures. I recommend every body do the same and then they will realised how crazy you are, you nutter!
ReplyDeleteIt's much safer to spend your nights in the "Wild Rover" or "Mongos" or watching the Cholitas!...and a lot cheaper too!
And then off to the jungle again! Hunting piranhas and anacondas...Where is the little girl who use to shout "papa, come quick! There is a spider in the bathroom!" Anyway, I am not convinced that the hunters won't be hunted in the end.
Swimming with the dolphins! That's sounds extremely exciting. I would have thought that the piranhas and the anacondas would have eaten all the dolphins!
Please post some pictures as soon as you can.
And keep in touch!!
Lots of xxxxxxx
The Cooke brothers will be very proud of you and your t-shirt, well done but completely of the wall. It all sounds out of this world and some of your experiences are making me green! How do you keep the bugs out of your sleeping bags when you're in the jungle, and are the insects really as noisy as they're reported to be in the dark? Now I'm going to google "the road of death". Take care and some more pictures when you can please.
ReplyDeleteMary and Del. xx
If I've just googled the correct death road then you're mad girl; if for no other reason then it says that the cycle ride is forty miles!
ReplyDeleteMary xx
The road of death looks WICKED!!! I want to do it! Swimming with Dolphins is amazing, you will love it! I just googled pink dolphins after you mentioned it on FB! They look bleeding strange - if they are the same size as regular Dolphins it can be a bit of a shock when you see the size of them up close but they are wicked!
ReplyDeleteAlso you should try and do a Ski Dive of some sort if you're getting adventurous! Seriously the best thing you can ever do! I still want to go on the swing that hung over the cliff that you uploaded pictures of :) Keep safe & avoid hot curries at all cost - the ring of fire apparently isn't just a saying (ask my dad, lol)! xx
Crazy girl! I've seen pictures of Camino de la Muerte, it looks really scary and dangerous. She showed me her cuts and grazes on skype, believe me people, she's mad!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're having fun in La Paz xx
Hey Angelique
ReplyDeleteJust a quick one as I want to get away for a sun-drenched weekend in the garden with a book and a cold beer.
I used to think you were a reserved young woman but reading of you on this legendary trip I guess I missed qualities in you along the way. You're quite the intrepid adventurer or you're just letting the guys know that you can emulate anything they do! If you are covered in cuts and scrapes be careful even going near piranhas, they smell blood and go for it. Easy does it, Superwoman! Anacondas are fine as long as they haven't been fasting. If they have, get the first bus to Wimbledon. Am beginning to believe you actually are the 'Wild Rover'. Of course, the Irish blood from Mummy. Don't think the Freychets actually sport any Irish heritage!
The decades don't change. A young person with spirit will always have fun. Good on you.
Will come back next week. Wish you well. Greetings to all your fellow travellers.Lotsa' love - Brian.
hey!!!angel: ) sorry i haven't been on for a while my stupid laptop wasn't working sooo annoying!still haven't had time to fix it as working a lot.
ReplyDeletei must say everything sounds awesome!teh partying/dancing, meeting new people the road of death!!!!:s wow!!!well done!was you not scared?but ahhh be careful..falling down twice!i hope your cut and bruises are healed!ok i better get updated with the rest of your trip..lol mwah x
sophia xxx
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