Bolivian Beauty

The shores of Lake Titicaca, and its main Peruvian city, Puno, were our last stop in Peru...and, we farewelled the country that had been host to me for almost 3 weeks, with fervour as we drank in a local pub before stumbling into a kareoke bar to scare the locals with our singing ('Allllllllllllllllways' by Bon Jovie was the favourite) and then back to the pub before stumbling home in the wee hours.

Nursing sore heads the next morning we navigated the tricky Bolivian immigration (two offices on the Peruvian side, walk across the border, two more offices on the Bolivian side plus another check before a ferry crossing that seemed fairly pointless....my passport has never been so flicked through...) and made our way to La Paz.

By this time I had officially joined the other group with whom I had hiked Macchu Picchu. Through the hike and post-hike celebrations we had formed bonds that I could not dream of breaking and, besides, I was hoping for an extra day in La Paz than my original itinerary provided. It seemed seamless to join my friends on their bus and stay in the same hotel....exploring the Bolivian capital of La Paz together.

I was grateful for that extra time when I, unwittingly, fell in love with La Paz.

Gritty. Edgy. Dirty.

Hints of illegality permeate everyday life here - despite the armies of police on every corner. Five seconds here proves that a bribe will save the day and, if you're after a little something under the table, all you have to do is look interested.

In and amongst the dark underworld lies a city boasting great food, cheap drinks and an edgy, fun feel that makes you anticipate the un -anticipatable....you never know what will happen next.

I had saved the majority of my souviner shopping until i reached La Paz, with the knowledge gained from friends who told me that the shopping is cheap and fabulous. They weren't wrong. I now can't close my backpack. And even so I have spent less than US$100 on knick nacks and gifts.

Having spent the day boosting the Bolivian economy significantly, we finished our last day together in a cosy little pub munching on the best pasta I've tasted since I left Europe before saying our sad goodbyes and leaving for the airport.

I dub them the Inca Trail crew....the group of people that I met that very first day of the walk of my life, and with whom I have spent every day since. They are the latest of a long list of amazingly interesting fun people that I have met over the past 4 months - meeting people all over the world FROM all over the world is one of the most significant reasons that I love travelling and this crew was no different.

Once again it is saying goodbye that wrenches the heart...but the memories make the goodbye worthwhile.

Till next time...