The old capital of Bolivia is very peaceful in comparison to La Paz, and is awash with beautiful buildings. It is hard to believe that we are in one of the poorest countries in Latin America. We got a bird's eye view of Sucre's streets and surroundings from the roof of Iglesia de San Felipe Neri, and when we weren't wandering the streets or looking down on them, it would have been rude not to have tried two of the city's specialities - tasty little pasties called salteñas, and of course chocolate. Both of went down very nicely. The region is also home to many indigenous villages where traditional textiles and instruments are made, mostly for annual ceremonies, but we didn't have time to get any closer than the Museum of Indigenous Art.

Our direction has now finally turned eastwards, and on our way here we spent a night in Potosí. It is here where the huge silver mines of Cerro Rico are still producing the precious metal after hundreds of years. I had wanted to take a tour of the mines, but when I gave it more thought, I chickened out; instead opting to imagine some of the world's worst working conditions rather than spend four hours underground with a lot of coca and alcohol-filled miners who require presents of dynamite in exchange for a tour. An experience it would certainly have been, but one that I will leave to others.

At around 4100m, Potosí is the world's highest city, meaning that it is now downhill all the way to Rio. Yippee!

Posted from the UK, 10th August 2012.