We rested up well in Copa, did not alot (Richard climbed a hill while I slept) and got the bus to La Paz. We had the worst bus in the street, but I guess it was not too bad. 
(Scenic view of Copacabana from the hill)
Left at 8 in a belching cloud of black diesel smoke, and at 9.40 we had to get off in the rain to get a boat across a part of the lake, while the bus got another boat. It wasn't exactly calm, so we were just a little worried about the bus and our bags on the roof tumbling into the lake. When I download the photos you will see what I mean! The boat was being ferried along on essentially what was a bunch of planks tied together and painted, with a 25 hp evinrude for power. 
Cold, severely cold, like, freezing (and damp) we piled back into the bus for the rest of the trip to La Paz, arriving pretty early at 12. The approach to La Paz through the sprawling suburb/city of El Alto was a little bit disconcerting, very very poor, flithy, and just not very nice looking at all. Richard was giving me those 'where the hell are you bringing me to now' looks, and I was a little apprehensive. Then you come over the crest of the canyon, and 400m below lies La Paz itself. We got a taxi to the hostel we had booked, and while it is not quite as great as the web site makes out, it will do. We have our own room, not quite ready for dorms yet I think.
Hit the street and walked down to the main drag, and the two offices of the two tours we wanted to do were literally right next to each other. We booked our mountain biking trip down the World's most Dangerous Road (you will see what I mean when I have done it and have pictures). http://www.gravitybolivia.com/ that is the company we are going with, they look pretty good.
Walked next dour to america tours and booked our 4 day, 3 night trip out in the Bolivian Amazon, plus flights to get there (the 20 hour bus ride did not appeal). We fly to Rurrenabaque, stay the night there, then cruise up river for 5 hours and walk for half an hour to get to the jungle Lodge, Chalalan, stay 2 night there, all inclusive, with walks n stuff.
It was not cheap, not cheap at all, but I guess it is going to be the only time we go and visit the Brazilian amazon, so it is not to be missed. Plus we have heard good things about it from other people.
La Paz doesn't really grab me at all, I heard that the shopping here is good, but seeing as I lost BOTH my cash cards, I can't really go crazy on that front. Stupid ATMs over here, give you your money first, and then you have to push a button to get your card back, and silly me forgets to do that. But it is no big deal, I will just call travelex and cancel them, and then they wire me the remaining money to western union apparently, and there is one of them right around the corner. I suppose I should do that.
Next update with more photos....
Cold, severely cold, like, freezing (and damp) we piled back into the bus for the rest of the trip to La Paz, arriving pretty early at 12. The approach to La Paz through the sprawling suburb/city of El Alto was a little bit disconcerting, very very poor, flithy, and just not very nice looking at all. Richard was giving me those 'where the hell are you bringing me to now' looks, and I was a little apprehensive. Then you come over the crest of the canyon, and 400m below lies La Paz itself. We got a taxi to the hostel we had booked, and while it is not quite as great as the web site makes out, it will do. We have our own room, not quite ready for dorms yet I think.
Hit the street and walked down to the main drag, and the two offices of the two tours we wanted to do were literally right next to each other. We booked our mountain biking trip down the World's most Dangerous Road (you will see what I mean when I have done it and have pictures). http://www.gravitybolivia.com/ that is the company we are going with, they look pretty good.
Walked next dour to america tours and booked our 4 day, 3 night trip out in the Bolivian Amazon, plus flights to get there (the 20 hour bus ride did not appeal). We fly to Rurrenabaque, stay the night there, then cruise up river for 5 hours and walk for half an hour to get to the jungle Lodge, Chalalan, stay 2 night there, all inclusive, with walks n stuff.
It was not cheap, not cheap at all, but I guess it is going to be the only time we go and visit the Brazilian amazon, so it is not to be missed. Plus we have heard good things about it from other people.
La Paz doesn't really grab me at all, I heard that the shopping here is good, but seeing as I lost BOTH my cash cards, I can't really go crazy on that front. Stupid ATMs over here, give you your money first, and then you have to push a button to get your card back, and silly me forgets to do that. But it is no big deal, I will just call travelex and cancel them, and then they wire me the remaining money to western union apparently, and there is one of them right around the corner. I suppose I should do that.
Next update with more photos....
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