After a night on the Death Train we arrived at our Santa Cruz hotel at about 09am. Most of us took some time off to get some rest, a shower or to enjoy the hotel pool. Around 11am David and myself left the hotel to get some water and to have a look around town – our plan was also to get some food sooner or later (only food we had that day so far consisted of the small breakfast served aboard the train).

Santa Cruz is the economical center of Bolivia – and its richest and most populated city. Main industries include oil, gas and agriculture. Santa Cruz also hosts Bolivia’s main gateway to the world – Viru Viru International Airport. However from a tourist perspective there is not too much to do and see in Santa Cruz.

After our short city tour we met with John and Wayne and had some food (burgers). I went to bed afterwards as I did not feel well; I woke up 4 hours later totally wet from my own sweat, still feeling weak, but better than before. At least I felt fit enough to join in for group dinner at a pseudo-Mexican restaurant (the food was rather tasteless compared to real Mexico and my favorite Mexican restaurant back home).