access. something of a rarity in the Bolivian capital. 1 order a cafe cortado and chocolate croissant. and settle into a window seat. ()utside I notice eight policemen in crisp green uniforms. bullet- proof vests. plastic riot shields and helmets leaning against the cracked lower wall of' the cathedral. I begin to feel a touch
intimidated until I notice two of
them are having a thumb wrestle. Bolivia gets a lot of bad press. which has tended to focus on political riots and demonstrations in recent years. But there is a lot to recommend it — scenery. warm people. ramshackle architecture. And fantastic col‘f‘ec.
spectacular
FACTFILE
Getting There
La Paz is expensive to get to and therefore best experienced Wlllllll a broader South American adventure. The cheapest. most direct route, is with Iberia. which flies to Lima (Peru) from London for 52680 return. TACA can then fly you from Lima to La Pa/ for around $250 return. Buses from Lima to La Paz cost approx 5325. and there's lots to see on the way. such as the Nazca Lines. Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
Things to do 8. see
Admire strange rock formations in Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). Take a stroll past the ancient colonial buildings of
the quaint. cobbled Cal/e Jae/i. untouched by modernity. Investigate exotic remedies and shrivelled llama foetuses or speak With ageing fortune- tellers at the Witches Market. Visit the ruins of Tiwanaku Civilisation or take a Death Road mountain bike tour down the most dangerous road in the world.
Recommendations:
Places To Stay
Hospedaje Milenio (Yanacocha 860) Central. simple and clean with hot showers and friendly. helpful staff: single. double $32.51) 523.
Hotel Rosario (Av. lllampu 704. 245»- 1658): The accommodation is very comfortable in this beautiful. colonial building which has free internet and
Travel news that bold/y goes where no one else wants to.
I Bungee-jumping in New Zealand? A once-in-a-lifetime experience, certainly, but almost every high-octane holidaymaker and their neon rucksack does that these days. Trendspotting daredevils are shifting their attention to the Grand Canyon, where the Skywalk, a £20m glass- bottomed bridge protruding out from the west side of the canyon, is set to open on Wednesday 28 March.
The Skywalk has been created by the Hualapai, a native American tribe who own 1 million acres of the surrounding land, in an effort to attract tourists to the area and raise money to help conserve their tribal lands. Just so we’ve got that clear, there’s you, a sturdy but see- through piece of glass, and 4000ft of nothingness down to the canyon bottom below. Baggage is intrigued, although not quite brave enough to book a flight to Nevada right this minute . . . (Kirstin lnnes)
For more information visit www. grandcanyonskywa/k. com
WiFi: svd Eta-5215.75920-L‘2185. Restaurants and Bars
Hotel Torino Restaurant. (Calle Socabayal: Good cheap meals in a great setting.
Sol Y Luna, (Calle Murillo): A relaxed. stylish and welcoming traveller's bar. Health and Safety
Altitude sickness is common in Bolivia and a bad bout can ruin the first few days of a trip. Coca tea. which is Widely available. can help ease the effects. Tourists should not pick up unregistered cabs in the street. If llliOllfllllg to travel slightly further afield. ensure that you use reputable travel agencies and guides.
For more information visit http:"/wikitravelorg/en;La Paz (BoliVia)
15) let) 1 Mar 9001' THE LIST 101