“Stick with us. We'll show you a good time.”

The above statement came from Jeff and Lex ... as we headed out of La Paz this morning.

They had bought tickets the previous day ... to Puno, and returned feeling very chuffed with their achievements!! Bus going to Puno (tick), Good bus (Cama ... should be lay back seats) (tick) Good seats – not next to the toilet (tick), Good price – 240 Bolivianos for 4 of us ... that's less than $10 each (tick) and a reasonable start time at the station at 8am (tick).

Was this the bus we would be travelling on?? No comment.....

From Peru 2 - 2009

Well we were at the station anxiously waiting to see this bus .... short delay, and we were on. Promised 'GOOD' seats didn't turn out so good. Yes they were front row, which on a double decker would mean great views, but front row on a single level bus is behind the driver's cabin which is secluded by curtains ... so we only had limited side views.

No problem ... most of the valley was covered in haze this morning so the view wasn't that good anyway. El Alto is the bustling satellite city at the top of the valley .... and it was very busy. Stopped for a fuel stop somewhere along El Alto .... no sooner got going then we did a U turn and entered the fuel stop on the opposite side of the road. Weren't there long and we took off again ... back towards La Paz one hour after leaving it. No explanation ... one of the passengers came forward and tapped on the conductor's door ... and although we couldn't understand the exchange, we gathered from what was said by her and other passengers we were headed back to La Paz.

Well not quite ... another turn and we realised we were headed for Uyuni .... remember the nightmare night bus ride??? None of us were keen to do that again. After 4 stops to try to refuel this bus .... many back streets and U-turns, we ended up back at the second fuel stop we'd made .... and waited in line. It was now more than 2 hours since leaving La Paz, and the conductor came through with a bag of empanadas and plastic cups. Naturally we took what was offered ... but the looks on our faces were priceless when he produced a thermos container that looked more like a fuel can and poured steamy yellow liquid into each of the cups.

There was a long pause as we each waited to see who would taste the liquid first. It turned out to be very sweet tea. We were fit to burst by this stage ... and Jeff says “Stick with us. Didn't we say we'd show you a good time!” Jeff even added a nip of ron (rum) to his to make it more palatable ... not!

And I could hear Zac whispering in my ear ....'That's Bolivia!'

Great to get news of Dea and Jothy's baby at this stage of our journey. Congratulations to all, and thanks for getting the news to us.

Eventually we were on our way ... and managed the border crossing, quite uneventfully. We even caught up with the Tucan bus which was leaving La Paz about the same time and were including the tour of Tiwinaku. The border was sooo much less chaotic than last time wee were here ... not a market day, so queues were short and our entry to Peru went smoothly.

Yes Milka ... we can do it. We did it!

Check back later for photos .....