LA PAZ BOLIVIA
We've explored LA PAZ, on foot, by car and now by motorcycles. This is some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever taken in. However; the road travel is harsh. Here's a shot of the road conditions, check out the jagged edges on the rocks.
Those rocky conditions took their toll on Keith's tire which went flat during our venture out. Unfortunately, it took this gringo a long time to find a pump given my lack of bien espanol, that we ended up on the Death Road back to LA PAZ at dark. I don't recommend this.
Because of the extreme dropoffs, single-lane width, and lack of guardrails, the road is extremely dangerous. Lack of light and depth perception add to the danger. Further still, rain and fog can make visibility precarious, the road surface muddy, and loosen rocks from the hillsides above.
In 1995 the Inter-American Development Bank christened it as the "world's most dangerous road". One estimate is that 200-300 travelers are killed yearly along the road, or one vehicle every two weeks. The road moreover includes crosses marking the spots where vehicles have fallen.
Upon leaving La Paz, the road first ascends up to around 5km, before descending to 1079 ft (330 m), transitioning quickly from cool altiplano terrain to rain forest as it winds through very steep hillsides and atop cliffs.
The road was built in the 1930s during the Chaco War by Paraguayan prisoners. The road connects the Amazon rainforest region of northern Bolivia, or Yungas, to its capital city.
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The good news is, when we returned to the hotel, dinner was served. We didn't realized when you order Lamb for dinner, they bring the whole leg! Look at this slab of meat!
Tomorrow we head off to Potosi, about 300 miles.
This could take a while........
Check back for more updates shortly! Thanks for visiting!!
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