La Paz, the highest capital in the world at 3,600+ m / 11,800+ ft (it is actually the financial capital, whereas Sucre is the judicial capital), is located in a canyon in the valley of the Andes. I have heard many accounts of the spectacular views from the plane as it descends into La Paz.... I did not have that luxury, but nevertheless, the views from the bus were incredible as we approached the canyon and started our descent into the city. The city has a lot of character, and in some ways reminds me of Hong Kong, the way the buildings are packed so tightly together all the way up the mountain incline - except that apart from the harbour views, you get a mirror image of the opposite canyon wall completely lined with buildings all the way from top to bottom. We walked through some interesting markets, including the Witches market, which sells all sorts of good luck charms, including llama foetuses, and skeletons and skulls of various other dead animals.

A number of us went mountain biking down the Death Road (North Yungas Road) yesterday, starting from La Cumbre (4,200m / 13,800 ft) down to a valley near Coroica (1,200m / 3,900 ft), with 65km / 40 miles of downhill biking. I was not too sure about signing up for it after hearing various accounts of accidents along this dirt road, which is also known as The Most Dangerous Road In The World, with sheer drops of up to 3,600m / 11,800 ft. In particular, I am never very happy on 2 wheels - having struggled to keep my balance on flat ground just a few weeks prior in Pucon. They have recently closed this road to through traffic, apart from a bus route and mountain biking. It was a fantastic, adrenaline pumping ride along a very bumpy, rocky road - I took it slow and enjoyed the views, and came back alive with very sore shoulder and arm muscles from the constant and strenuous braking, and only a few scrapes and scratches when I took a fall after my bike attempted to jump over a rock (I didn't see it in time, and by the time I braked, the front wheel had made contact, and I lost complete control of the bike)!