´The worlds most dangerous road´ and Coroico

On Monday night back at La Paz in the Brew hostel, I met some more South Africans - two young guys who had been working in the Caymens for the past couple of years and were also doing the ride the next day, so shared a taxi with them in the morning to the meeting point with ´Gravity´. Only 5 of us doing it which was great. Drove for an hour to Le Cumbre, the starting point of the ride at 4800m. The first 20 or so kms of the ride were on tar with quite a bit of traffic so took it very easy. It was cold to begin with so we were wearing many layers of clothing which we would gradually shed as we descended over the 65 kms into the heat and humidity of the cloud forest. The 45 km gravel section on the actual ´Worlds most dangerous road´ was lots of fun but you are constantly on guard and extra cautious with all the twists and turns, the huge vertical cliffs dropping off on the one side and the road dotted with crosses to remind you of all the places where people have gone over the edge!!! A new tar road was built about 3 years ago so now the ´death road´is only used by cyclists and the occassional vehicle. With white knuckles and very dusty faces we reached the end of the ride at ´La Sende Verde´, an animal rehab centre, where there were cold beers, showers and a nice lunch waiting for us. Had a look around the sanctuary which cares for various monkeys, birds and other small mammals. Had arranged with ´Gravity´to stay overnight and catch a ride back with them to La Paz the next day, so said my goodbyes and caught a taxi to the town of Coroico about 8 kms away. Booked into Sol y Luna, lovely hippyish eco resort with self contained cabins dotted amidst the tropical gardens with masses of colourful flowers and birds - a real contrast to the starkness of the altiplano. With a place outside my bungalow for a fire and hammocks hanging from the trees, it was very romantic but I had to make do with my book for company!
The next morning I did some yoga in their yoga studio then went for a lovely long walk. I had also booked to do the Zip line down in the valley below the town, where you sit in this harness and ´zip´ across the valley in three stages on a cable. With my fear of height I was a bit apprehensive but eventually plucked up the courage and ended up loving it and wishing it could go on forever! Joined Gravity back at La Sende for the three hour trip back to La Paz which we drove on ´the WMDR´- far scarier than biking it.
Up early this am to catch my flight to Cusco. Good to be back here - my starting point for the trip- and tonight I am staying at Casa de la Gringo, a hostel run by a SA woman in the San Blas area. Tomorrow I head to Urubamba in the Sacred valley to spend one night at Willka Tika, a spiritual retreat and a place that I have always wanted to visit.