Karla and Renays adventures to South America

Bolivia so far

south_america — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:50:00 GMT

Well we made it to La Paz, Its abit buzy for us and the traffic was crazy. We went to San Pedro Prision!! Not sure if you have heard of it but it is run by the priosioners!! There are guards out side to stop the prisioners going out, but all the rules are made up by them!!! You have to know someone to get in and get showen around. We stood outside deciding what to do and someone came up to us and said they were friends of Daniels (A prisioner) and he would show us around if we wanted!!. We said yes after lots of I dont knows. Because they run it they can do any thing they want once we are in there It is not governed by any one. We went in and Daniel was quite cool he showed us around while the other prisioners were all around us all as high as kites. They just sit in there and do drugs all day any type!! Daniel was high aswell. He openly admitted it, that thats all they do all day. They try and get tourists to come in as thats there drug money. 90 percent were drug trafficers. The others murderers, rapists etc. There are 8 different class sections to the jail. The prisioners are placed in sections depending on how much money they have - there are no cells. Each prisioner buys there own room. Daniel - Our new friend - Lives in 5 star accomodation. He could not show us areound the other sections as its way to dangerous. We were a group of 5 girls and we would not last long, so we were happy about about that. We spoke to Pablo Estevezs partner he had been in there for 17 years. Pablo is the partner of Americas most wanted or caught now sas drug tafficking people I think 20 years ago!!! Therewas another 5 tourists there but they were all drinking and doing drugs with the prisioners. They had been there all day!! That wahat it is famous for I think. Really bazzare and quite scary being in that environment, but we survived. I think you can even stay the night if you want!! The families stay in there with them as well kids etc!! Daniels "women" was there but she had had to much drugs by the time we got there and was naked on the bed with her 3 year year old son and also she is 6 months pregnant. We met some one later who had met her ealier sitting on their bed shooting up and sniffing coke etc while the son was sitting beside her!! What a life!! We got out safely, but only just!! There is some politician in there, who authorised the killing of 30 people!! so there were heaps of protestors outside when we were leaving throwing dinamite. They said it was safe but they throw one at us as they think we were on his side and we were there visiting him, so we had to sprint away!! our hearts were beating a million times an hour for about 5 hours after that. Was definately an experience being in there with all the badies and to be showen around by them also!!. Scary But we are alive.

It was there we left the tour ggroup and ventured out by ourselves. We have decided to continue with an English couple Ed and Aimee. They are heading in the same direction so has worked perfectly for us.
From La paz we went to the salt lakes. They were the most impressive lakes weve ever seen!!! Unbelievable!!! 28000 sq km or something of salt. Pure white and miles and miles and miles of flat white plains!! Weve never seen any thing like it. And its so hard to decribe. Its just that all the water has gone and left the salt. Was amazing Drove in 4 wheel drives around there. We went to the sdalt hotel for lunch, but we went with a tour that didnt sleep there as we had been told thats bad for you, some how. But was neat inside every thing is salt!! Absolutely amazing. The photos do it no justice really. The next day we drove around the mountains stopping at the lagoons etc, seeing flamingoes. Even the mountains are hard to explian. Its just miles of nothing but flatness (and Dust) and the rock mountains, no grennery or anything. Not much could survive there. One lagoon was an acid lake so definately nothing survived there. It was incredible. We slept at the red lagoon. Its a lagoon thats completlely bright red from algae. That was absouyltely spectacular. Apart fromm being about minus 10 degrees was such a cool trip. Swam in the hot natural springs on the last day at about 5 in the morning to thow out. That was cool. It was just a natural lake that was boiling hot. then it was a whole day drive back to Yuni. We then got on a bus for anothr 7 hours and now we are in Potosi!! The highest city in the world 4800metres. Its hard to beathe at rest!! not much here but we had been driving for so long yesterday we decided to get off the bus at 2 am and stay here for the night and day to get clean and rest. We were pretty tired as we were getting up and 4 at the salt flates.

Peru

south_america — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:08:00 GMT

We made it accross the border no trouble and are now visiting the coast line of Peru. Staying in nice relaxed beach huts, which also have swimming pools with a view over the beach. Towns are cool but very set up for the tourisits. Reminds us abit of Europe really but nice to relax for abit. The beach is nice and not many people so there is a bonus being in the low season

We are now in NAzca. Loads of People went on the flight to see the lines, but we were good and decided we didnt really know what they were and decided to save money. It was quite expensive to do... So have a day of nothing today.

we then went to Huachina or something. An oasis in the middle of the desert. Was really cool, massive sand dunes that went for miles. We hired buggys and also we sand boarding. Similar to snow boarding except on sand. we were both rubbish so ended up going on our stomachs. Was about 100 metres. Tried abou 4 sand slopes. Was awesome though.
We have a massive overnight bus tonight to Arequipa and Colca canyon. Other than that thats all the news. Eating well mainly pasta at the moment. Just trying to eat normal food. Everyone is still cool, and having a fantastic time. Peru is amazing. Ive never seen so much of nothing between towns. Its just completely desert!!!

Lima we found to be just a city nothing to special. Just wondered around the city, then to to the beach. Had a wee night out there at the bohemiam suberb which was probably the highlight of Lima.

Then it was time for us to doi the Inca Trail. This was definately the highlight so far. We had so many problams getting to the start. The first one being Karla falling into a massive canal with all her bags of dry cothes at 4 am while trying to get onto the bus!! All worked out, lickily they were all in dry bags and only the clothes she was wearing got wet. Then peru was having a massive stike the day we were due to start. There were rocks blocking the road everywhere, so had to walk an extra 5 km to the entrance. - As if it wasnt going to be hard enough all ready. The only way to enter the trailm is to walk accross a bridge. We were the first tour group to arrive so we were able to cross without any problems unfortunately all our porters and other tour groupls couldnt get across as they were stopped by the protestors. We did not have any food or tents we were the only tour group on the trail for the majorilty of the day. The strike finally finished about 4 pm by which time it was pouring rain. We were ok but the porter had to sprint the fist day tpo make it to the camp site to put the tents andf cook us dinner by dark. The porters were brilliant. They carriied 25 kilos of stuff every day. We needed 30 porter for our group of 17 to carry camping gear and food and all our clothes. They always rushed ahead of us to set up camp and have food ready. We did not have to life a finger it was brilliant and the food was amazing!!! The second day of the trail was the most challenging. Because alot of time was wasted ont he first day waiting for the porter we hadnt reached our proper destination, so we had to walk an extra 2 hours to get us back on track. In total we walked 11 hour that day beginning at 5 am!! We had to go over 2 massive passes (mountains) ONe being dead womens pass - the most famous!! Renay was part of the fromt group being the fit person she is. Karla was with the back lot "helping" the unhealthy bunch at the back that were stuggling - Shes such a good nurse!!! In the afternoon it was so dangerious because of the rain and we were doing alot of downhill trekking on slippery rocks and small waterfalls, felt like we were canyoning again. by the time we all reached the campsite we were all drenched a freezing cold. Most of our camping gear also got wet so it was not a pleasant night. The next day we had to put back on out saturated clothes and continue our trekk.

Anyway the whole trekk was amazing we finally made it to Macchu Picchu on day 4 day after another mountain and 6 km of trekking before sunsrise!! It was exactly how the pictures look and was absolutely amazing. We spent the day walking around the ruins dazed and confused, we loked alot worse for wear than the tourists who caught the train. But we were both extremely plerased with our selves to have made it the whole way!!!

From the Trail we made our way lake Titicaca. Its a massive lake, 8000sq km and the highest in the world. 3800metres!! We cant dodge the altitude anywhere!!! Is an awesome place. We stayed on a homestay. We all had separate families. Karla and Renay were together thank goodness. Was really cool We helped cook as much to our disgust - we havnt done that for a while!!! Went fishing with the dad, played with the 5 year old son. Ate with the family. During the day we sowed crops of corn and helped around the farm. We also prepared the fish nets for later. Was actually cool workiong and helping the families out. Not sure how much help we were though. At night we all got together with the others and their families had a camp fire, dancing etc. Was pretty cool really. Was real community stuff, not much there at all, really simple houses and ways of living, we survived and had a cool time. That is where we left Peru and made it to Bolivia

The end of Ecuador

south_america — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:33:00 GMT

Well 10 days on, we have joined the tour, having a fantastic time and we are with a great bunch of people.

Wehave been to the Otovala markets - biggest in south America!!! We went a little bit crazy, but at least now we look like (try hard) south Americans. Our bartering skills were brilliant,so we picked up some great bargains.

We than drove out into the Amazons!! It was fantastic scenery. We stayed in awesome jungle lodges with no electricity. We had kerosene lamps in our rooms and the place was decked out with big open fires, and hammocks! Was very quiet and peacefull being there. We did a small trek throught he jungle. Saw some cool animals. We also went tube rafting. Somehow we ended up 500 metres behind everyone else in massive thunder storms. Was a little bit scary and very cold. But we managed it to the end without any dramas, I dont think we let go of each others life jackets the whole time.

Spent a couple of days there then went to Banos - equivilant to Christchurch NZ _ the adventure capital of Ecuador!!

Karla Jumped of a bridge - Was a swing 100 metres high. Was $10 pretty dodgy!! But Im still alive.

Also saw some awesome massive water falls that we ended up canonying down. Similar to abseiling but 100 times scaryier!! But was a huge adrenalin rush and one of the girls slipped and were sure she was going to die!! Was terrible to watch as we were up next. Came out out of it fine just alot out sore muscles and a few bruises, and a blocked ear.

Also went white water rafting -Size 3 rapids. Ended up being alot of nerves over nothing. Although a couple of people did get stuck under the raft, and were very out of breath when they came up!! We both managed to stay in the raft the whole time, Whos cool!!

Our last night in Banos we all went out and partied with the locals - Karlas only night out since weve been here. It is rude to refuse to dance when asked so we were all up with the locals salsaing!! Had a brilliant night and was a good way to end ecuador - The coolest place in the world.

Other than all that we are now in a lol on our way to Peru. Staying in the borriest town ever at the moment but nice to get some rest. Karla thinks she had a bowel infection, Imodium is working wonders though. And Renay is deaf since canyoning. So is nice to get ourselves back on track for Peru tomorrow!!

Gallery: Ecuador

south_america — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:47:00 GMT

Quito, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa

We made it - the adventures begin!

south_america — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:18:00 GMT

Hello Ev eryone, Thought we would update you on our last week. We are sitting here in an internet cafe. Karla is enjoying her 10th smoke for the day inside!

We love Equador! We arrived Monday afternono - nursing snakbite hangovers, hostel we are staying at is really cheap and peopel are friendly. We have been very bsuy see as much of Equador as we can. Have been to the Equator, it was very overated - will try to put up a photo.

Our first mishap for the trip occured when we realised we had set our clocks an hour ahead of time - we though we would have an early night going to bed at 830, it wasnt until the morning that we realised we actually went to bed at 730, and we were waiting for our tour an hour before it started wondering where our tour guide was!

We have climbed a glacier, it was teh hardest 300metres of our life - we werent sure we were going to make it, there is no oxygen up here, thats our excuse anyhow! The weather was appauling - the trou guide said it was one of the worst days to do it. We could hardly stand up, literally had to crawl up the mountain because of wind, had to stop every 3 steps to catch our breath. It was also freezing - we make make good use of our thermals. It was an amazing achievment to make it tothe top (we mean base camp!) The views would have been sensational were it not for all of the clouds and stone storms. Never the less it was a brilliant day.

After another early night, we went on another hike to the most amazing placwe in the world - quilotoa volcano. It was a massive volcano crater with a bright geen lake in the middle. It was a bright, warm sunny day and there were no tourists around - we got to blend in with the locals well. Not sure what they thought of us as we kept taking photos of them but we thought they were friendly and adorable. We catn describe how amaizign the view was - it was absolutely breathtaking! We walked down the steep volcano and the locals took us back up on horseback - cipriano and gonzalez worked hard and were our life savers after yesterdays efforts.

We have been trying the local delicacies - we love empanadas so far. We are finding the food fairly cheap too which is good for our budgets. We have had to brush up on our spanish as not too many people speak english here. We should be fluent soon! (heheheheh)

That brings us to today - we have given ourselves the day off today, catching up on washing etc, changing hostels and meeting our tour tonight.

We will try to put up photos now, hope everyone is well.

Caio til next time

Renay and Karla