Great tours in Amboro National Park

Early on Tuesday morning I left Santa Cruz  for Samaipata in a collectivo taxi. Collectivos are long distance taxis (minibuses) that wait until they have 5 customers and then depart. It cost only 30 Bolivianos (= 4,50 euros) for a 3 h ride. Wherever you go, the ride is bumpy. Roads are in a deplorable state. There are potholes, bits of the road surface are completely gone. No idea why they have speed bumps here.

Another thing that strikes me about Santa Cruz is the number of opticians in the city. There must be hundreds. I hardly see anyone wearing glasses, though. They are either too young or can't afford it. How do all these opticians stay in business I wonder.

I arrived in Saimaipata on Tuesday just in time to join a day tour to the cloud forest. It's one of 18 microclimates in Amboro and characterized by the giant fern trees. It was a good 4-5 hours hike through the mountains and forests. Yesterday I did more climbing and hiking through the mountains and along the river of the Los Volcanos region. It was strenuous but I enjoyed the landscape and nature as well as the very pleasant company. 

Today started with a power cut. It seems I experience most things that confirm the prejudices about the country. I'll stay here in Samaipata until Sunday when I will fly to Sucre from Santa Cruz. Today I will not do much - stroll around the little town, read and relax. Maybe I'll visit the El Fuerte ruins tomorrow. 

I hope you are all well and will keep you posted.