Headed to the Jungle

After some deliberation, Nicole and I decided to head towards the jungle region of Bolivia. Our destination would be Rurrenabaque, a small town that functions as an entryway to the jungle and pampas in Madidi National Park.

Bolivia is a small country. I find it amazing that such a diverse ecology (is that the right word?) can be found here, ranging from the high altitude salar to now the sea level jungle. Temperature difference of at least 30C.

Now, how to get to Rurrenabaque. 2 options.
The first being the bus, which would take at least 20 hours. It's dirt cheap, but there is no cama service and the roads are harrowingly dangerous. A section of the road was actually termed "the most dangerous road" until a few years ago because many vehicles plunged off the cliffs. An improved, paved road has been built since then, but I don't think the safety rating has gone up significantly.
...Do I want to risk my life for twenty hours or for one?!
Me thinks one is enough. Hence, we chose the plane option. Pricey (a whopping $70 one way!), but safe. Or should I say safeR.

That's why we had to stay in La Paz for an extra day and switch hostels (to the one with that wonderful view!). The weather wasn't good enough for the flight to depart on our original date, so we had to wait for the next day. If that didn't work out, forget the jungle.

But the sun was shining the next day, and off we went!
As you can see, the plane is quite tiny with very little room. There's no door to the cockpit. People left their bags in the only aisle:This sign on the seat front was quite unnerving:
"Keep seat belts fastened at all times" - No problem. Will do without being told.
"In case of loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will be handed out by flight crew." - Hmm….who would that be?!?!?! There aren't any flight attendants on the flight. And I hope that the captain and his co-pilot will be busy trying to keep the plane in the air rather than walk around the cabin, passing out the oxygen masks.
"Plug hose into the overhead outlet and turn right until oxygen flow is obtained." - Got it. By the time I get my mask, I think I will be unconscious…
"Hose plug must be removed to stop oxygen flow." - Huh?!
"No Smoking." - Again, no problem. Will do without being told.
I wasn't sure how I was supposed to react when I saw that sign - laugh or be scared????? I tried my best not to think about it during the flight and focused on my book. Somehow.

We got to Rurrenabaque without problems, landing on this grassy runway. It was humid, hot, and blue sky. Completely opposite from the condition we left just over an hour ago!

BTW, this is the airport:

I gotta say that's it much more equipped than the field I landed in Botswana. If you recall, that one had elephants on the runway.

The airline (Amaszonas) bus took us into town for 7BOB, even though it was only supposed to cost 6BOB. The driver must be pocketing the extra change. I was slightly pissed but let it go, thinking that I shouldn't be picky with my dimes.

Being the lazy creature that I am, I usually don't care to look around for hostels. If the first one looks decent enough, fine.
The first one we saw in this town had a HUUUUGE cockroach carcass lying in the hallway. Gross. We ran out of there.
The second and third didn't have dead bugs, but they were both dreary and damp. Yuck.
We finally found Hostel Beni, recommended to us by one of the guys on our flight. He was waiting to catch a boat to a farm (for what, I didn't ask) in the middle of nowhere. 70BOB for a private room - clean, spacious, and nice. Can't complain.

With that done, we got down to business - into town to grab some lunch (sandwiches and pineapple juice for 14BOB (that's around $2!) at the quaint Luna Cafe & Lounge.

Followed by searching for an agency to organize our tour. They all seemed more or less the same. We chose a 2 nights, 3 day pampas tour at one of the random agencies for 500BOB. The pampas because it offered more opportunities for animal sightings vs. the jungle. Leaving tomorrow.

I had to buy a flashlight at the market since my nice, modern one seems to have disappeared somewhere. I don't remember ever taking it out, but where did that thing go??? Well, this one only cost me 10BOB - I hope it lasts for the next 3 days…it looks like a piece of crap!
Then, did some snack shopping at the market. Played with internet. Found a really nice souvenir shop (didn't buy anything as usual) that happened to be run by a Japanese woman. Looked so out of place in that town…Oh well. Lastly, went to the Mosquito Bar (gringo hangout/bar with pool tables) for dinner. Had a nice time. Pasta could've been much better.