So Sunday I said goodbye to Santiago de Chile after a ricidulous 2 hour queue just ti drop my bag off and headed via Iquique to La Paz Bolivia. I arrived a little worse for wear after severe turbulence and several people throwing up on the flight as the plane dropped down several times. I was welcomed by Maya (my American friend) who had arrived a little bit earlier and we headed in our private transfer to our 5 star hotel! The journey was incredible, and I felt like I was experiencing the real Latin America for the first time0 women in traditional dress, bad roads, cute little house, and street venders everywhere. Heading around a bend the whole of La Paz opened up with houses hanging to the mountain sides, it was just an incredible view!
On arrival at the hotel we checked into our enormous family suite and was welcomed with a birthday cake and free welcome cocktails before we headed off to the spa for some relaxation and to acclimatise to the altitude! Being at 3600m above sea level it is the highest capital in the world and the lack of oxygen really wear you out and gives you a headache. That night we stayed in the hotel to eat llama and alpaca (which is delicious) before waiting for Karen (my Australian friend) to arrive in the early hours of the morning.
Monday, we woke up for my birthday and headed into the city centre! We visited the Coca Museum (the histort of coca leaves and cocaine), the San Francisco Church, and the Contemporary Art Museum! All were fantastic places and really interesting. For lunch I had the most succulent piece of steak ever and for just 4 pound- bargain. It was a great day for my 21st and we ended it with a Cuban cigar to celebrate.
Here we are on Tuesday, waiting in the hotel until we need to go and get our overnight bus to Uyuni. We've heard several stories about buses breaking down, long delays, and the very bumpy 12-14 hour journey mainly on unpaved roads but hopefully the Salt Plains will be worth the trip!
Until next time take care xx
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