Chalalán Ecolodge and the Madidi National park Amazon Basin Our flight took us into the heart of the Amazon basin and only took 30 minutes on the friendly Amaszonas Airline. It was my favourite takeoff of all time, made special because of la Paz' priveledged height (3660m above sea level) and its extra thin air. There isn't sufficient air pressure to allow the plane to lift, so despite enormous speed down the runway it does not rise, but sort of shoots off the...

Strange Times in La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de La Paz Acontecimientos Raros en La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de La Paz -Aka Wresting Chollitas, Death Road, Haircare and Llama Foetuses As you enter, the first glimpse from the bus window will give the hint that La Paz is unlike any other place. The central CBD sits in the deepest part of a huge valley and the rest of the orangey hued buildings, (unfinished and unpainted to avoid taxes) sprawl the sides of the ...

If it looks pretty, it doesn't mean it smells pretty. The scenery in the Eduardo Avarao National Park is something to write home about. Hot geysers spurt boiling water from the earths core. A generous scattering of alpacas and volcanoes provides the backdrop - one volcano was even spewing smoke. And the dark blue lakes are so still they reflect the dusty pink flamingoes and snow capped mountains like mirrors. But, IMHO, the stench of Sulphur is not a great pairi...

Humberstone mining town abandoned in 1950's Status report: still abandoned. In order of abandonment: 1- derelict: power plant, mines, workshops, homes of unmarried workers, roads, railways. 2- in severe state of disrepair: town square, shops, hotel, tennis court, homes of married workers 3- restored to original state: doctors house, cathedral, theatre, bakery 4- fully functional: UNESCO ticketing office charging 3000 pesos each (£3) Iquique- Paragliding c...

Get on the Bus 20 Hints and tips for fun times in the world's fun capital Aka Northern Chile 1. Select a reliable vehicle Bus breakdown in Santiago. This is becoming an unwelcome trend. 3 of our last 4 journeys have suffered mechanical breakdown. Our tour guide, Rodrigo, is surprised that we laugh when he delivers the bad news. But yes, "this is Latin America and s*** happens". 2. Select a knowledgable and informative local to show you the ropes Rodrigo and...