Back in the thermals

Today we had to bid farewell to the lovely warm temperatures of Rurrenabaque (as well as all that delicious oxygen) and return to La Paz.

Before we left we got a good breakfast at our hostel and due to the airline working on Bolivian time got the opportunity to have a small wander around town. Our gorgeous tour guide Ivan, came and met us on his day off to make sure we got to the airline office fine and also take us to the Bala tours office and give us a CD with more information about the birds and animals we had seen. I should explain that one of the reasons we chose Bala tours is that they work closely with the local indigenous communities of the region, providing ecologically sustainable jobs which is incredibly important in such an area of natural diversity.

Once we had our tickets, we read for awhile then the bus turned up. We got out to the airport and waited a little longer. Eventually the plane landed, disgorged its passengers and we headed on. Landing on the grass runway was one thing, taking off was a whole new experience. It really felt like we were never going to get off the ground as we bounced along, then when we did, we had the steepest accent I have ever experienced in a plane. Heading back through the mountains we hit some major turbulence and the plane went up, down and side to side. The landing was equally as exciting as we skidded a bit on the tarmac.

We collected our bags and headed back to the hostel. We have had a quiet afternoon ahead of a busy day tomorrow and to also to adjust to the altitude again. Tonight we are going to watch DVD’s. They are burnt copies but our passports were required to hire them from the hostel!