To Bolivia and more plans

Today I head to La Paz in Bolivia, whereabouts I join another tour group and explore only a few of the many  highlights Bolivia has to offer. I have also made some new plans…

Panama City from the air. The canal can be seen in the background.

I spent last night in Panama, because I like COPA airlines and they hub out of Panama it has become quite a common layover for me. COPA also offer free extended layovers, it’s the same price to layover for 2 hours as 7 days, so when the connection isn’t ideal (eg I have to wait for a long time) I have been staying overnight in the city.

I very much like Panama, and if I had to pick a city to live that was the best mix of western and Latin American influence it would probably be here. Possibly Lima, but I didn’t spend enough time there to be sure (though I may well be spending a few nights there soon).

Speaking of future plans, I’ve decided to commit to doing the Colombian Lost City hike. A 5 day hike through the jungle in northern Colombia. It is not an easy hike, especially given that it’s also the rainy season. I’ll be hiking at the beginning of July, just before I head to my final stop, the Galápagos Islands. 

The hike is going to be 5 days in 35 degree heat, 100% humidity, and apparently a lot of muddy sections. It culminates in a climb of 1,200 stones steps into the city. Given how much I hate steps, I’m not sure what possessed me to do this. After that it’s then another 2 days to hike out. 

I know why I’m doing it, assuming I do succeed in the upcoming summit of Hauyna Potosí, then I will have succeeded at everything I set out to do on this trip. Maybe I don’t make the hike and need to turn back, at least I’ll know I tried and I’ll know my limit. Of course if I fail to summit in Bolivia then the hike will serve as a chance to redeem myself!

I’m rapidly approaching the end of my time in South America, and I’m having to lock in some of my upcoming flights and dates. 

This has also meant that I am looking even further ahead to Africa, specifically to the time between Europe and Africa, where I have intended to fly back to NZ to spend a few weeks there. Given how much it costs to get an AirBnB in London, maybe I’ll spend a couple of months in NZ and save myself the money, I’m going to soon need it.