Well after a fantastic day cycling we had a 16hr journey ahead of us to Rurrenabaque we was met at the animal sanctuary by our driver Emilio and Eve, we put our kit on the roof and off we set.

It wasn't too long before we realized this would be the most horrendous journey any of us had ever undertaken. We assumed the road might be tar-macked... no chance it was pot holes and land slides all the way. The road is a continuation of the death road we just cycled down. We can now fully appreciate why there have been so many deaths on this road.

Our driver would drive on the cliff drop side so you can imagine all of us were a little apprehensive but we got some beers in and tried to have a laugh! Eve was in the front, with Ultan and Ger in the centre, whilst Paul and I were squeezed into the back! We tried to sleep but it was impossible as the road is so bad! I would recommend to everyyone that they should fly from La Paz toRurrenabaque as its only a 45 min flight.

Anyway, we finally arrived around 6 in the morning. We got our heads down and waited for the tour office to open at nine. We met our guide and sorted out our kit.

After a quick breakfast, we transferred to the Pampas in a 4x4 vehicle. It took about 3 1/2 hours. We loaded our kit into a motorized dugout canoe on the Yacuma river we set of on our trip to the lodge. On route we witnessed the only River Dolphins in the world Capybaras and Turtles, and various birds. Once we arrived at the lodge we off loaded our kit on our beds and headed up the river where we played football and volleyball of course (as you do in the jungle) followed by a few beers.

After a good dinner we headed out to spot Caiman's in the canoes. Our torches searched the banks to catch the bright orange reflections from the caiman's' and alligators' eyes - once you've got the knack of spotting them, you soon realise just how many there are.

Once we got back we settled into game of cards bulls*** and s***head. A great day finished with a pleasant evening. We retired to our Mosquito covered beds, I'm sure the animals knew we had gone to bed because the Pampas seemed to come alive with the sounds of - frogs and toads, insects, bird calls and Paul having a cheeky private time...lol.

The next morning we got up for breakfast and then headed out to do the Pampas tour. We were given the option to wear Wellingtons. I chose to seeing we were off hunting for anacondas.
I´m not sure any of us had given much thought as to what we would actually do if we found an Anaconda, but the reality of finding a snake was brought home to us when one of our guides dived head first into the water and hauled out a Anaconda! It must have been 2 meters in length, the guide gave everyone the opportunity to have there photo taken with it but I declined as did Paul i didn't agree with it! (no...not scared...lol) We continued and it wasn´t long before our guides found a couple more.

We set off back to the lodge where we would have lunch. We chilled for a few hours in the hammocks before heading of to fish for Piranha's. I managed to catch 5, although there was a big one that was toying with me, but kept evading my hook. But patience proved worthy and I managed to hook the b*****! We ate that sucker later for dinner. Yum Yum!
We again headed to the football pitch where we teamed up with some Israeli guys and played another tour group but unfortunately we lost. Nearly broke my leg against a Spaniard (still not right..first stop in UK...Drs!) Mike later had worms removed from between his toes from playing bare footed as we all did out there.


We headed back for dinner where we settled down to a lovely meal which included my whopping catch of the day! After we played charades till the early hours of the morning.
We were rudely woken by our guide telling us breakfast was ready so after a quick shower we had breakie and then headed out in the rain to look and liten to the howling Monkeys & swim with the Pink Dolphins.
Our guides told us it would be fine to swim because the Dolphins are the "daddies" of the river, and when they´re around, no alligators or Piranhas come close...So off with the clothes in we went, I must admit I stayed close to Paul..lol.

The dolphins would surface periodically and there were lots of alligators around but they did keep there distance. I'm sure something was nibbling at my toes, probably Paul. It was a cool experience to swim in that river.
Back to pack our kit and head back to the start point in the tropical rain...where we hoped onto our minibus and returned to Rurrenabaque. We found a Hostel, had a quick shower, a tasty meal in Mama Pachas then on the lash in the Mosquito Club. A cracking night but we got in rather late... and guess what... we had the return journey back to La Paz!
3 flat tyres and some dodgy rock rallying we arrived back into La Paz around midnight. We booked into Jach a Intl Hostel for some much needed kip! A fantastic trip with some great people!!