View Full Version : Visit Bolivia - Death Road Trip
Being half Bolivian and having been born there i went back to visit family and friends recently and ended up having a ruddy good time, as usual.
Beautiful country. :cool: This album is basically me just trying to boost thier tourism by an sv650 orger or two. :p
Just a few (a lot) photos from a selection taken. Enjoy. Full album here, if anyone wants a more detailed glimpse of Bolivia.
Everyone should visit Bolivia at some point, if they can.
View of the Andes from the outskirts of the capital city, La Paz
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020770.jpg
Some bird, be all gracious and stuff. Probably an albatross or a blue, definitely one of those two anyway. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020800.jpg
View of the capital La Paz
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020817.jpg
Ang again...
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020818.jpg
Driving 'out of town' a bit
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020876.jpg
Really not uncommon to see Llamas or Alpaca dotted about.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020874.jpg
See...
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030055.jpg
Stop off on the shore of Lake Titicaca(snigger)
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020970.jpg
Sunset over the same lake.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030015.jpg
View of Peru
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030075.jpg
Coming back to the capital, La Paz, this is what we are treated to.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030142.jpg
View of the city, from my Dad's place.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030223.jpg
More travels. Nice to see four on a bike with a toddler resting on the tank. Ralph, Shelly, DMC and "Dangerous Dave" aren't a patch on this.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030310.jpg
Sneaky bit of white water rafting on the edge of the amazon.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020454.jpg
Amazing seeing all sorts of exotic animals in flying in and out of the trees.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020517.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030302.jpg
After rafting this nutter decided to take his turn abseiling face first.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030306.jpg
Death Road as featured on Top 'Jeremy Clarkson is a pussy' Gear.
Start descending on asphalt
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160042.jpg
Stopping to see a mangled truck wreckage over the edge
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160004.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160014.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030518.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160007.jpg
Bit precarious.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030525.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160099.jpg
Obligatory tourist photo.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160094.jpg
Monkey helped himself to a banana
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030539.jpg
Then preceded to feel bloated and tired.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160101.jpg
Any that is all. Hope i didn't waste anybody's time if they were expecting something else. Bottom line, visit Bolivia. You won't regret it. :D
:smt039
P.S. VISIT BOLIVIA
BanannaMan
19-11-10, 03:56 AM
Awesome pics and trip!
Thanks for sharing!
(although on the wrong type bike) ;)
Love this pic!
Stunning scenery!
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030518.jpg
I like this one...
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160094.jpg
Furutre comp winner there, I think!
C
Mr Speirs
19-11-10, 08:29 AM
Next time you go, i'll come with you.
Next time you go, i'll come with you.
Me too :D Pleeaase
storm rider
19-11-10, 08:52 AM
Great pics... Looks an amazing country to visit!
Do they get a lot of tourists from the uk?
Phil
Icanopit
19-11-10, 09:10 AM
Excellent Binky, looks as though you are organising the 2012 AR?????
JOHN
speedplay
19-11-10, 09:47 AM
Looking at the pics just makes me wonder "why sutton coldfield?!"
Thanks for sharing mate :)
Geodude
19-11-10, 10:06 AM
I like this one...
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160094.jpg
Furutre comp winner there, I think!
C
+1 that looks awesome. great pictures :)
danf1234
19-11-10, 10:32 AM
+1 that looks awesome. great pictures :)
Stunning.
What is that nutter doing on the bike hanging over the edge in the Orange top.:shock:
As much as those roads look stunning with the drops and I'd love to see them, I just don't think I could. I'm fine with heights when I know I'm safe, but being that close to the edge, not for me thanks!
Great pics... Looks an amazing country to visit!
Do they get a lot of tourists from the uk?
Phil
Get a few yeah. It's often not hard, if you head to the right places, to bump into a few english speakers. There's never many Americans though.
As much as those roads look stunning with the drops and I'd love to see them, I just don't think I could. I'm fine with heights when I know I'm safe, but being that close to the edge, not for me thanks!
Where the trucks drive pushes dirt and gravel in a line to the edge of the road. We were all gunning it and i passed a friend just before a corner and wasn't concentrating...
... Went straight over the small lines of gravel and dust and basically glided towards the edge leaving me about two/three foot to play with. I couldn't feel my legs as they were that filled with adrenaline when i actually made it round the corner. Heart beat must have been about 140 as well.
Saw a fair few others go close at times too. Wouldn't do it any other way though. :D
the_lone_wolf
19-11-10, 11:56 AM
Being half Bolivian...
Wait, What?:smt103
Half Bolivian, half carrot maybe...;)
Great pics BTW:cool:
Wait, What?:smt103
Half Bolivian, half carrot maybe...;)
Ahu, yeah. What with you being three quarters ass hole and me being half carrot we could merge and make a hybrid superhero gang.
Bolivian carrot boy and ass hole man. :love:
the_lone_wolf
19-11-10, 12:11 PM
Bolivian carrot boy and ass hole man. :love:
Carrot boy? You pretending that dress is a cape or something now...:p
Carrot boy? You pretending that dress is a cape or something now...:p
:smt039
Quiff Wichard
19-11-10, 01:00 PM
bloomin hell Bink..
nearly as good as Mels trips ! ..
I jest - of course good trip.. and nice to get to know your roots.. I only have to travel to nantwich for mine- 4 miles.
Awesome thanks for the pics :D my idea of a holiday that, no sitting around a feckin pool :smt071
1 of my mates did base jumping somewhere in the Andes in Argentina, was gutted he couldnt get over to see this road! I might have to add it to my list of places to go before I ruin my life and have kids ;)
1. West coast of America
2. Hong Kong (again) and Macau GP
3. Malaysia
4. BOLIVIA! :smt026
Bluefish
19-11-10, 06:15 PM
awesome binky, would love to go but hi ho, mebe someday :rolleyes:
Specialone
19-11-10, 06:28 PM
Awesome binkster, i have looked at the stack you had on faceache recently, some top pics.
Id love to ride a dirt bike around there, it would be amazing :)
Awesome thanks for the pics :D my idea of a holiday that, no sitting around a feckin pool :smt071
1 of my mates did base jumping somewhere in the Andes in Argentina, was gutted he couldnt get over to see this road! I might have to add it to my list of places to go before I ruin my life and have kids ;)
1. West coast of America
2. Hong Kong (again) and Macau GP
3. Malaysia
4. BOLIVIA! :smt026
awesome binky, would love to go but hi ho, mebe someday :rolleyes:
Do it. You'll be floating up to a heavenly place after death thinking, "why the **** didn't i go to Bolivia if you don't go soon. ;)
:D
Bluefish
20-11-10, 09:31 AM
Do it. You'll be floating up to a heavenly place after death thinking, "why the **** didn't i go to Bolivia if you don't go soon. ;)
:D
You know something i don't, like my time is soon up? :smt039
Bluefish
20-11-10, 09:35 AM
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160007.jpg
That bend in the foreground looks like its up in the lakes, rest of the scenary is a bit differant though, really like the pic though, taken on a grim day. would be brill with sun out.
-Ralph-
20-11-10, 10:18 AM
Wow. Fantastic pics.
How long did you stay in La Paz? How did you get on with staying that amount of time at that altitude? I didn't think I had any problems in Mexico City whilst I was there (starts about 7000ft, whereas La Paz starts about 9000ft), but then I took a bike trip though the mountains at the edge of the central Mexican plateau and dropped down about 5000ft, sitting in the hotel bar that night I realised I felt like I had so much more energy and some kind of oppressive feeling had lifted, my mate who lives there explained it was the difference in altitude I was feeling. The same again when I landed at Heathrow.
Add Ralph SV on facebook, so I can see the other pics?
Id love to ride a dirt bike around there, it would be amazing :)
http://www.madness-bolivia.com/enduro.php?lang=id2
madness
20-11-10, 12:44 PM
Great photos Binky. Some remind me of my trip to Peru a few years back.
South America would be a fantastic place for an extended bike tour.
Wow. Fantastic pics.
How long did you stay in La Paz? How did you get on with staying that amount of time at that altitude? I didn't think I had any problems in Mexico City whilst I was there (starts about 7000ft, whereas La Paz starts about 9000ft), but then I took a bike trip though the mountains at the edge of the central Mexican plateau and dropped down about 5000ft, sitting in the hotel bar that night I realised I felt like I had so much more energy and some kind of oppressive feeling had lifted, my mate who lives there explained it was the difference in altitude I was feeling. The same again when I landed at Heathrow.
Add Ralph SV on facebook, so I can see the other pics?
http://www.madness-bolivia.com/enduro.php?lang=id2
La Paz is nearer 12,000 i think. We were over 4000 metres at one point. :smt103
Stayed there for a month, of which about two weeks were spent in La Paz. I played 'soccer' with a few friends and it's insane how hard it is to run for more than a minute or two. It started to hurt to breath a little when i pushed myself.
Then coming down, yeah, you really notice the difference. It becomes more enjoyable to breath, everything feels 'fresher'.
-Ralph-
20-11-10, 02:27 PM
La Paz is nearer 12,000 i think. We were over 4000 metres at one point. :smt103
Stayed there for a month, of which about two weeks were spent in La Paz. I played 'soccer' with a few friends and it's insane how hard it is to run for more than a minute or two. It started to hurt to breath a little when i pushed myself.
Then coming down, yeah, you really notice the difference. It becomes more enjoyable to breath, everything feels 'fresher'.
Yep, that's why I said "starts from" because it kind of built into the mountain side isn't it? Mexico city is hilly, but is on a plateau so not a huge range of altitude in different parts of the city, and then only in suburbs. The city centre itself is actually lower, it sits in a basin, which makes the pollution horrible (the whole place stinks of s**t). There are 4000 & 5000 metre volcanoes not far south of the city though, but they just look like a normal 1000-2000 metre mountain ranges, in most of central Mexico north of the city, you have no idea that you are so high up, it just looks flat like anywhere else.
Bolivia definitely somewhere I want to visit.
Yep, that's why I said "starts from" because it kind of built into the mountain side isn't it?
The city is tiny, probably no bigger than Nottingham. Kind of starts on one level quite high, with the main part of it descended into a kind of bowl. you can only really descend when leaving La Paz, there is no higher.
allantheboss
20-11-10, 07:29 PM
WHAT.
(That's me being gobsmacked)
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1020876.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160014.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/P1030518.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk215/padman36/p9160007.jpg
P.S. VISIT BOLIVIA
Fantastic photos! The landscape looks amazing.
Do you speak Spanish or any of the other indigenous languages? If not, did this make it particularly difficult to interact with the locals?
Did you try some coca tea to help with altitude sickness?
Fantastic photos! The landscape looks amazing.
Do you speak Spanish or any of the other indigenous languages? If not, did this make it particularly difficult to interact with the locals?
Did you try some coca tea to help with altitude sickness?
I speak a little Spanish yeah. But i have so many friends over there that if i ever hit any bother then normally do the talking instead really. You can easilly find a way to get by normally, especially if trying to buy something...
I drank the occasional coca tea aswell, but more for social reasons rather than altitude sickness really. I've been there that many times i am slowly building up an immunity to the altitude. :D
Are you thinking of going?
Thanks Binky.
Yes, I'm heading that way in May. I don't speak a word of Spanish and I am a little concerned about how I'll fare at such high altitude. A friend has recommended diamox, but I'm not keen on it, so I reckon coca tea is the way to go.
Do I have to get local currency or are US dollars accepted?
Thanks Binky.
Yes, I'm heading that way in May. I don't speak a word of Spanish and I am a little concerned about how I'll fare at such high altitude. A friend has recommended diamox, but I'm not keen on it, so I reckon coca tea is the way to go.
Do I have to get local currency or are US dollars accepted?
US dollars are fine if you're buying a TV or washing machine, but for 95% of life you'll need Bolivianos. There should be plenty of places where you can exchange your dollars in the airport or on the main street in La Paz.
With the altitude i'd just drink plenty of water (bottled) and eat as and when you can. The odd nap helps a lot in the first day too.
Where abouts in Bolivia are you thinking of heading and how long for out of curiosity? Maybe i can recomend some things to do and places to go... :D
Thanks Binky. Will take US dollars for exchange as I understand the Pound Sterling is not accepted in most places.
As for altitude sickness, fingers crossed. :)
Will be out there for three weeks. Flying into Santiago, Chile, travelling through to Bolivia, into Peru and flying out of Lima. Mode of transport is still up in the air at the moment. Hoping to do it by bike (looking highly unlikely) in which case it'll be train, bus, boat, four wheel drive and foot.:)
On the list for Bolivia is La Paz, Potosi, Coroico, Salar de Uyuni, Copacabana and Isla del Sol. Any recommendations for must see and do in La Paz?
Having done the 'death road' yourself on a mountain bike, would you do it on a motorbike?:smt101
Thanks Binky. Will take US dollars for exchange as I understand the Pound Sterling is not accepted in most places.
As for altitude sickness, fingers crossed. :)
Will be out there for three weeks. Flying into Santiago, Chile, travelling through to Bolivia, into Peru and flying out of Lima. Mode of transport is still up in the air at the moment. Hoping to do it by bike (looking highly unlikely) in which case it'll be train, bus, boat, four wheel drive and foot.:)
On the list for Bolivia is La Paz, Potosi, Coroico, Salar de Uyuni, Copacabana and Isla del Sol. Any recommendations for must see and do in La Paz?
Having done the 'death road' yourself on a mountain bike, would you do it on a motorbike?:smt101
Not really. I'd probably rather do it by bicycle to be honest. As far as i remember there isn't really much to do in Potosi. Any plans for when you get there?
Copacabana isn't that great but the Isla Del Sol is stunning, nice boat ride out to the island too. Lovely long walks to be had to explore with great photo opps all over the shop. Amazing drive to Copacobana though, i'd have killed to have had a motorbike there instead of just a jeep.
The markets all over La Paz are quite nice. Sopocachi is good for bars, cafes and restaurants. Mongo's was one of my favorites with lovely Llama fillet on the menu in Sopochachi. The San Fransisco area is good for the church and real touristy areas if you want souvenirs for friends or family... Off the top of my head, finally, is a little Park in the South of La Paz that overlooks the city on little suspended walkways. It's name escapes me, but it's about four blocks south of the main island on 'El Prado'.
Definitely stay in one of the salt hotels in Salar BTW. :D
Swing me some questions any time if you want to know more.
Swing me some questions any time if you want to know more.
Will do. Thanks. x
punyXpress
23-04-11, 05:32 PM
by way of a reminder, Binky's little trip is on BBC2 tomorrow ( Sunday ) at 7.45 - with a little help from Top Gear. :D
Bluefish
23-04-11, 09:32 PM
sets record function, cheers puny.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.