Named by Neil Armstrong for its lunar-like appearance, the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna) is located about a 30-minute drive from the center of La Paz. I used Yango, a popular ride-sharing app here, to get there since my Spanish isn’t good enough to navigate public transportation. It is a surreal desert landscape of clay spires and canyons formed by severe erosion. I opted to let my drone explore rather than doing so on foot, as I am still getting very lightheaded whenever I exert myself here. During a 1969 visit to Bolivia shortly after his lunar mission, Neil Armstrong reportedly visited the site while playing golf and noted its striking resembled the surface of the moon.

Later in the day, I visited the Basilica of Saint Francisco, the most famous church in La Paz. It is renowned for its 16th-century history, stunning Mestizo Baroque architecture, and as a major cultural landmark where local Aymara traditions mix with Catholic history.

On the walk back to my lodging, I found a great place to launch my drone for panoramic views of the city.

What does it say when you choose to spend Saturday night in a vibrant new city, at your computer, trying to figure out how tomorrow’s sightseeing can be optimized for downhill walking?