Bolivia Backpacking
Things to do in Bolivia : The Amazon , And crazy witches market in La Paz (dried llama fetuses can be bought to offer to the gods) , Zongo Valley ice caves. Sorata can be a days hike in itself with amazing mountains and underground lake, should not be missed. There is some serious climbing to be had in Bolivia. If you like ruins then Tiahunico and the spiritual Island of the Sun should be visited. The totora (woven reed) boats is an ancient tradition of the people that live on reed islands of Lake Titicaca is truly an amazing feat of native artistry.
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La Paz, Bolivia is located at an altitude of 11, 811 feet (or 3,600 meters), which is a city of startling contrast and stunning beauty. It is situated is a sunken valley of Andes Mountain range. The picturesque snow capped Mount Illimani, at an elevation of 21 thousand feet, can be easily seen from this city.
La Paz is one of the last travel destinations of South America that still needs to be explored. In fact, the city is the highest capital city in the world, which belongs to the Bolivia's Altiplano region. Almost half of the entire population of La Paz (about 1.5 million) lives in the valley itself and the rest half lives in rickety housing at the plateau of El Alto, which is just above the city. Even the airport of the city is located in El Alto and is the highest international airport in the whole world.
However you prepare yourself for the city, you will always find yourself surprised once you are surrounded by the new sounds, sights and smells of the city. La Paz is a mix between the past and the present and hence the city is highly influenced by the modern culture, still it maintains the traditional but authentic roots of Andean culture. As a sign of historical influence, you will see the inhabitants of La Paz wearing colorful indigenous clothing. On the other hand, you'll also see the city bustling with modernization, whose examples are: skyscrapers, tourists, busy traffic and suited business man, etc.
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Well its been ages since I have updated the journal, I guess keeping in touch is hard whether your traveling or working…anyway, I have to apologize for keeping it brief, I don’t want to bore any of you..
After leaving the jungle covered in bites, tried to leave La Paz for Cocacabana (not the one in Rio) with the aim of seeing Lake Titicaca, and some of the islands. I say tried to leave as Bolivia was in the middle of political unrest, and so there were endless roadblocks, riots etc. However, I had a window of opportunity, as there was a big fiesta on, and so the roadblocks ceased so that they can get people in and out for the weekend.. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing – I was suppose to catch my bus (which I got the ticket for free after some smooth talking) to Cocacabana at 10am, but the night before I got back to the hostel and got a message so say that we now leaving at 4am to avoid any potential road blocks.. not the thing you want to hear at 1am. So I sit there in the reception at 4am, a bit worse for wear.. and I don’t get picked up till 9.30am.. not a happy camper, but this is south America and so you things happen when they happen. Got to the lake in the end, a lovely little town, and the following morning took a boat at to Isla de Sol for a half day trek.. the following day headed to Puno, which is on the Peruvian side of the lake..
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I know I haven't updated what I have done for a few weeks, but I have to update you on my most recent experience in South America... “Tinkuy Ritual Fighting”
The History
In Machu, which is north of Potosi, they carry out annually the “Festival of the Cross”, whose origins date back to the pre-Inca times. In this festival they give thanks to the Cross and Christ, as well as Andean Gods and Mother Earth to celebrate the annual harvest.
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Seeing that I was in South America, it was time to head to the Amazon.. the jungle, and not the River. The staring point for trips to the Amazon Basin in Bolivia is Rurrenbaque (Rurre) you have two ways to get there.. and awful and painstaking 16hr+ bus ride, or a flight for less than an hour.. so being lazy, I took the flight! As soon as landing in Rurre, I was off to start a 3 day Pampas Trip (basically being taken around by motorized canoe along the river) and a 2 day Jungle trip (mainly walking around the jungle). In the office, I was joined by the rest of my group, luckily enough for me 4 girls – much to the envy of all the other groups! To get the canoe, involved a rather dull 3 hour drive, but it least it gives you an opportunity to know the people you're spending the next few days with.