Sunday, October 14, 2007

Coroico & cool by the pool


We had decided to stay on in Coroico at the hotel Don Quixote where all the cycling gang had lunch. We waved them goodbye somewhat smug at our choice of staying in the tropics rather than "the worlds most dangerous" bus journey back to La Paz.

Discovered we were the only guests (again!), the place was sadly run down which was a shame as it was a wonderful hotel & spot. We relaxed by the pool soaking up the rays & watched the bee eaters feeding their young in the palm tree & the turkey vultures riding the thermals above. Dave took to hiding in the corner of the pool to get the best view of the house martins swooping down to drink. Great place to while away the hours.

paddling pool & shark

They had 4 parrots here's 2 of them.....
the two Ronnies

sadly it does seem normal for parrots to have their wings clipped and become pool pets, I suppose its slightly better than a cage but we haven't seen many of these beauties in the wild. At dusk they were ear shatteringly noisy so we decided to say just one night.

Beat Dave at Pool 2 0. Spent a long time looking for the chalk only to find they had dug a hole in the chalky wall for just the job, here it is......

Woke up early to some serious thunder, went on for an age and sounded amazing. Lounged around the pool to get our last fix of those dive bombing birds & saw our first humming bird. Sad to leave as its been so relaxing but the pools too murky so we are off to the posh hotel up the road.

This is the view from our room at hotel Esmeralda.....

This place is a bit expensive at 10 pounds a night but beautiful grounds and facilities surrounded by banana and orange groves, so well worth it for a few days of recuperation.


Met a really nice couple from Leeds who were both reading Sherlock Holmes from the book exchange and scaring themselves.

We hung out by the pool, played pool, read and Dave had his first sauna ( I couldn't get him out, that boys not human!). Had my first encounter with sand flies, how can something that small inflict such long lasting & irritating bites? Naughtly sand flies!

they had a hammock and whilst lying in it the shear drop below messed with your mind, making you relaxed one minute to tense the next
here's Dave...... a little tense I think.

I was feeling a tad delicate so Dave went into town for drugs (we are rattling a little when shaken). Anyway it turns out today is the first day of spring 21st sept (sorry uk folks) hence all the trumpet playing, megaphones, cheering & singing that could be heard. Lots of people in the street in costume having a bit of a party.

more photos from Coroico here