La Paz - Day 2

Well today was day 2 in La Paz and the day I was supposed to  have done the Death Road side trip. Speaking to the others tonight, I think I mad the right decision to at least see a bit of La Paz while we are here. The Death Road trip was pretty hairy in parts, but not necessarily on the "Death Rd" part. The guide apparently pushed it along at a pace uncomfortable for some and the group left at 8am and did not get back to the hotel until 8pm. I, on the other hand did not need to start until 10am and finished by  2pm, allowing time for a leisurely lunch and a nap afterwards. I think I am getting smarter over time.


The guided city tour of La Paz was only me and Jill, the wife of another rider. Victor, our guide was really good with lots of history and information, supported nay Mr Alfred, our driver who was never far away.

We went to the valley of the moon at the very bottom of the valley La paz is in. We then squirmed our way up the narrow streets and heavy traffic into La paz central and the main square where there are churches and government palaces and buildings along with your standard statutes of people on horses. We then got one of the new cablecars up to El Alto (4100 m), a new city built at the top of La Paz and only started in the early 1980s. Then back down again on the cablecar to the Witches markets where herbal remedies and talismans and artisan gifts are sold. Then Home to hotel.

Dinner at the fine hotel tonight and then bed before an 8am leave in the morning. It will only be 300 k tomorrow but we have told it will be hell getting out of the city. This is a bad warning come from locals that know about bad traffic. Into Peru by tomorrow night at Puno.