Our time in La Paz was pretty chilled. Recovering from a busy couple of non-stop weeks through Peru. We hit the black market and the Witches Market on our first day, as it was Laura's last day she wanted to see a bit and perhaps some shopping. It was weird saying goodbye - our wee group just didn't feel the same with one missing. The Witches market was, creepy. Apparently it's a must-do in La Paz but, other than some strange potions and dead dried llamas which you could buy ... it didn't hold that much appeal for me. Glad I saw it though, was very intersesting.

Our second day in La Paz was the biggie! The Death Road! We got picked up super early and headed for over 5,000m altitude straight away. There were a few protests that had extended to Bolivia so, we had our paths blocked a few times but - we made it in the end. 7am, eating breakfast at 5,100m - is freeezzing! I can't remember being that cold. We got our wee safety talk and were reminded on how to ride a bike and then headed down the 'warm-up' section before the actual death road. This part was probably the most fun - all asphalt decending from ice-capped mountains to lush green jungle - incredible, can go so fast ... which actually isn't the best because at the beginning it was outrageously cold. Whenever we stopped to let everyone catch up, I could not feel my fingers or my toes, I don't remember that ever happening before - was actually a bit painful! Once you get to the beginning of the actual death road you can see most of it, winding down the mountains - it's quite an omnious feeling standing at the top of it, but also exciting. It's all gravel and the widest part is the size of a narrowish one-way street. We didn't go as fast down this part, for obvious reasons but it was still a huge rush ... biking across the gravel and a metre or so to your left is a sheer cliff - crazy. But awesome. After we all survived the death road we were treated to a relaxing afternoon in a local hotel with a pool. As we were still in the jungle we saw some amazing and beautifully colourful birds and insects ... made me want to head to the jungle even more. My list just keeps growing!

The rest of the weekend was spent pretty laxed, Ineke was still around before meeting up with her new tour group so we got to hang out a bit and, we met our new group. Half of whom we already know through travelling sort of alongside through Peru and a few new ones. It's going to be quite a bit different with a group so much larger. It was really sad having to say goodbye to Martin and Ine as well but, hoping that our travelling paths will cross again.

Sunday was spent with our new group, Jose (our new leader) took us out to the very local markets where you can actually get absolutely anything you want. From used car parts to second-hand or new furniture. From shoes and clothes to live rabbits, and of course all the delcious to just scary looking types of food which we couldn't really risk eating with a long over-night bus coming up!

La Paz is another amazing looking city, set so high in the Andes - although we didn't explore it to it's possible potential I enjoyed my time here chilling and, I felt I saw enough. It was nice but - no high on my 'must return' list.