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Location Date Sucre 1412377200 Rurrenabaque 1411945200 Nuestra Señora De La Paz 
1411426800 -
Location Date Tue, 23 September 2014
1411434018 Mon, 22 September 2014 1411390956 Mon, 22 September 2014 1411390941
Hey guys!
It´s all been going on here! Yesterday we checked into another hostel which was a bit more lively and then headed out to the cable car up one of the mountains on the edge of the city. It gave a great view over the city! We must of walked miles as we headed back to the centre and I enquired about the death road bike trip and I couldn´t believe it when one of the tour shops was selling the lonely planet I hd lost! I couldn´t leave it on the shelf and so feel I know what I´m doing again now! Then we had a panic as neither of our cards worked, I´ve since found out I can only make two withdrawals a day. Harriet was feeling really ill still so she come back to the hostel as I walked literally miles in search of the only bank that Harriets card works at to get money for her! Finally found it and then searched for somewhere to eat- Im getting good at eating alone and had a reasonable vege pasta. I then got a tad lost, but found my way back to the hostel about 6pm. So a busy day just spent mooching really. Got a free beer in the bar and spoke to a couple of people about their advice on what to do here. Then Harriet was still ill so we had an early night.
23rd- Tuesday
I woke up and Harriet had decided she didn´t want to come to the jungle with me in the next couple of days and so was going to move on alone to Sucre tonight. We want very different things from the trip- I want to be active and see and do as much as possible. Harriet wants to chill out more. Plus, I don´t really believe in being ill and certainly not letting anything stop you from doing what you want, while Harriet is quite the opposite. I wish her luck, but I think she will be home within a month as she is struggling a little. Anyway, I bid her farewell and got picked up at 8am to cycle death road!
It was amazing!!! I was in a group with a British couple who were lovely! We drove an hour to the start which is where the Andes meets the Amazon. We got kitted out with arm and leg guards, helmets, gloves, protective clothing and a bike. I´d paid more for front and back suspension (not that I have a clue what it means, but its meant to make it easier). It is a 43 mile road down along the edge of the mountains. It starts at 4600m and you end up at 1200m. It started off as tarmac road for about 1 hour, then it was all gravel for the next couple of hours. I am not going to lie, I was petrified, you may remember my south africa blog, which was the last time I was on a bike, and I fell off and thought I´d broke my toe! Haha! But these things have to be done, so off we went!
It was so exhilirating! I have never gone so fast and it was scary with the narrow road and steep drops and especially when a car or lorry passed you! There was snow at the top, but by the time we reached the bottom it was a tropical jungle. The views were amazing, although I could only really appreciate them when we stopped for a break! It scared me a bit when the guide was telling us about all the people who have died doing it and so my hands were numb by the end from gripping the brakes so hard! Haha! We cycled under waterfalls and through a river! It was fantastic! We got literally 200m from the end when the English girl went over her handlebars! But she was ok, just a bit scrapped and dizzy. Otherwise we all made it safe and well! We stoppèd for a buffet dinner which was included- lots of vegetables- yay! Then it was a 3 hour drive back from the bottom! Arrived at the tour company about 7 and got a free t-shirt and dvd of all the photos the guide had taken of us! I mooched back and checked in the hostel for another night. Had a hot shower-yay! And now chilling.
Tomorrow I plan to find out about trips to Rurrenbaque so I can explore the amazon from here, as its cheaper than Brazil! All exciting!
Glad your all well! Sounds like Alice is quite the sneak, haha! Great to see another Ipswich win! I´ll be putting pics from Death Road on Facebook!
- comments
Auntie vic Well done on your lonely planet find. Thank god the bike death road trip is over. I feared for you on a bike after your last experience!! Poor Harriet its a shame she's been so poorly its hard to motivate yourself to do things when you feel so awful I think she needs a good chill out to get better. I must admit I don't blame her not fancying misti and the mammoth bike ride!! I think the only person who I know apart from you who would do it is little Alice! Did a thorough bedroom sweep last night and she stayed on the other side of the door although she lays in wait in case we require a night wee. Ha ha ha boot camp. Enjoy the jungle and the Amazon. All good here. Love to you both xxxx
Paul Good news about the Lonely Planet, though looking one or two things up for you had been fun! Not surprised you were petrified coming down death road; it sounds very scary indeed. Anyway, you somehow got to the bottom safely! Sorry to hear about Harriet's continuing troubles. I'm off to my twin's in Derbyshire tonight and we fly to Inverness tomorrow morning. One thing I can guarantee is that we won't be cycling down any of the Scottish highlands! I'd have jumped at the chance to do El Misti since it's very much my sort of thing (I've been higher). Would I have cycled down death road? Mmmm. It'd have taken a friend or two desperately wanting to do it (and twisting my arm) for me to have given that a go. Well done, you!
Soph Hey bispo! Have been keeping updated with all of your activities and adventures! Maybe that's enough action for a bit? I think the beach and a cocktail are calling!! Glad you're seeing and doing lots but make sure you have relax time too, you're on holiday! Such a shame Harriet hasn't been feeling well, it can take a while to feel better in a different country with different food and germs! Hope you both get to meet up later in the trip and can share stories! All good with us, our news is that the heating has been turned on this week and I am having to wear tights again, boo. I would like summer back!! Benny says hi and he is impressed about your cycle road, I am not!! Ooooh and I also baked a quiche tonight, call me sophie Oliver. Keep having a great time and be good! Love you xx xx xx
Auntie Debbie Sad news about Harriet! Hope she feels better soon so she can enjoy the rest of her trip!!!!! Hey Ho you adrenalin junkie!!!!! Can't quite get my head around everything your doing but it does sound very amazing!!!!! All good here I've just come back from my Zumba class and need a bit of a rest lol xxxxxxx Love you loads xxxxxxxxxx
Grandad Alex and Maggie Hi Alex - we're home and catching up with your blog. Death Road! You're such a brave adventurous girl, nice of the guide to tell you half way through, why the road was so named - he could have waited till you got to the bottom - anyway glad you're safe and enjoyed it all. Sorry to hear about harriet - its rotten when you dont feel well especially when you're not at home. We had a good break but i was very ill and ended up at James Paget hospital with a allergy caused by, of all things Cordysyl mouthwash!! Grandad sends his love and says he's very proud of you. Enjoy the amazon - love and hugs xx
Mum Hi babe, Am now home after a great trip to Holland, it was fantastic to spend time with Coby and Bas again after such a long time, unfortunately we didn't see Sebastian as he was in Thailand and Robin is now working in Utrect but we had so much to catch up on and they looked after us so well it was sad to leave. It was also lovely to see Marijke, Jerone, Ninka, Stephanie, Gerri and little Rosalie who was adorable and again who showed us great hospitality. Although we came across a great many bicycles Dad and I stuck to the trams, so no death road cycle rides for us! I'm glad I didn't know you had done that until after the event and you had got to the bottom safely. It continues to sound like an amazing adventure! Glad you managed to source a Lonely Planet and can make plans for your future travels. It would be good to catch up with Harriet along the way to share your stories. Look forward to hearing about the Amazon! Take care....PLEASE. Love you xx
Auntie vic Quiz night at the hossie tonight. Burts tex to see if you wanted to be on the team. I said she would but she's in Bolivia!!!! Ha ha ha one of the girls at work is doing your trip and asked if she could see your blog? Let me know. Anyway we didn't win but for a fiver including grub for a good night out you can't complain. Hope the Amazon was amazing and your seeing great things xxxxx oh it's lovely to have mumma home she was on our team tonight xxxxxxxxx happy travelling xx
Auntie vic Everyday we check. Xxxx