Again La Paz

10.12. Without breakfast we drive the remaining two hours to La Paz in the wealthy district of Calacoto where we have to return our car in two days. Calacoto can be compared to a Spanish city in terms of architectural style and amenities, it simply has everything. Since we can only check in at 12:00, we drive to the outskirts of the city to the Valle des Animas, a beautiful valley dotted with pointed rock spikes. A round trip hike of about an hour and a half leaves us in awe of the shapes. Our hotel is an old, once modern building with a non-functioning sauna and a not so appealing pool. The receptionist schedules an appointment for the PCR tests, but we find out that we have to go today! So we drive there and realize that the information was incorrect: because there may be entry problems due to the 72-hour limit for the test, we decide to come back tomorrow morning. We have a late lunch at a brewhouse that only serves Bolivian beers. The burgers are very tasty! After that, we end the evening in the hotel room.

11.12. Today is our day to take care of everything that is still open. We start at 7:30 in the morning with the PCR test. Everything is very well organized and after about half an hour we are tested and can return to the hotel. After breakfast, we search the neighborhood for a laundromat, which works on the 3rd attempt. And while we're talking about washing: Jeanie also needs a thorough cleaning. The jeep has suffered a lot after Uyuni and was sprinkled with dirt up to the roof ("mir Wildsöi ;). Although there are many car washes, we also try about 4 different ones here. Including an hourly motel, which I interpret as a car wash because of the large plastic curtains. The nice gentleman at the "reception" smiles and denies my question whether we can wash our car here... Well then.

After this endeavor is also successfully completed, we go to refuel. The gas station operators are very helpful and resourceful when it comes to filling the remaining gasoline from the can into the tank. We are very grateful to them! Afterwards, we return to the hotel to fill out the health form for Chile. These documents always take quite some time. It is now afternoon and we treat ourselves to a beer at the neighborhood pub. We don't feel like exploring the city anymore and take it easy. In the evening, we go to Gustu, a restaurant that interprets Bolivian cuisine and culinary traditions in a contemporary way. From the cocktail to the dessert, we are constantly surprised by the sometimes daring creations - a true feast for the senses! I especially like the cactus heart spaghetti with banana balsamic, a dream, on the other hand, I could have done without the algae ice cream. ;)

Blissful, happy, and round from the 8 courses, we stroll through the neighborhood back "home" - good night.

12.12. After breakfast, we pack calmly. We double-check all our documents and then return Jeanie to her rightful owner, imbex rental Cars. Byebye little Jeep - you were often slow but tough! The return goes quickly and without problems. A taxi takes us up to El Alto, where we spend our last night near the airport. All Bolivians warn us that El Alto is not a safe place and that we should not take out our mobile phones in public, otherwise they will be stolen. The taxi driver says that this is due to the many Peruvian immigrants... hmmm, we don't believe it. 

Bravely, he drives us through the hustle and bustle and streets completely congested with cars. Driving in El Alto requires nerves and skill. We check into the hotel, our room is on the 9th floor and rewards us with an incredibly beautiful view over the entire neighborhood to the 2nd highest mountain in Bolivia. We enjoy the view and order our lunch to the room (something we have never done in our lives!) - no restaurant could compete here with a comparable panorama.

Later, we take a walk through the neighborhood and the market, which feels good and is fun, it is a farewell to Bolivia.

The night will be short, as our flight to Lima leaves early at half past 5. So we don't waste time and go to bed early.