Log Book - Bolivia

Sunday, 31 January 2010 22:31 Last Updated on Monday, 08 February 2010 21:10 Written by Maxime

The Uyuni Salar was one of our best memory so far. The landscapes were INCREDIBLE. As we don't have that much time we are going to explain you our trip there with pictures

This is what we saw the day before going to the Salar from a hill. We couldn't wait!

Rocks in the desert were everywhere!

Flamingo

El laguna colorado

El laguna verde

Sunup in a geyser field.

Thermal baths in the desert. Sooooo good!

And that's it Bolivia it's over and we are now in Chile for 2 days before reaching Argentina!

Log Book - Bolivia

Friday, 29 January 2010 19:32 Last Updated on Monday, 08 February 2010 21:11 Written by Delphine

It is impossible to go to Potosi without visiting the mines of the area. We went to these mines to discover the work conditions of the Bolivian miners.

In the mines of Cerro Rico, the work is done in a old tradition. The miners extract silver or zinc with a pick. There is a variation of temperature very imressive: from 0 to 45 degrees celsius within a few minutes. Inside the mines, the atmosphere is more and more difficult to support, there is less oxygene and the dirt cuts our breath.

Ready for a walk in the mine..

We walked during two hours in the mines. The tour was not easy to do: we went to several small and muddy tunnels, where we went through hot areas and then cold areas. We crossed a lot of troleys plenty of ores towed by four miners (we had to clear the way quickly for the workers of the mine).

This is the god of the mine which protects the miners and brings them a goof production.

We met a few miners. They told us they were happy and proud to work as miners, like their father and grand-father. It was a big surprise for us to see that they were satisfied of their work because their work conditions seemed to be so tough. They live up to 35 - 40 years old, they are often alcoholic (they drink alcool up to 96% to give them power and courage) and they often are sick after 15 years spent in the mine.

2 miners which are going out the mine to bring their production.

This walk in the mine was very touching because we saw the sad reality of the life of a Bolivian miner.

Log Book - Bolivia

Thursday, 28 January 2010 20:38 Last Updated on Monday, 08 February 2010 21:13 Written by Delphine

After 3 nights in La Paz, our goal was to go to Sucre in two days: we did not want to drive for 12 hours in a raw so we wanted to make a break in a city on the road. So we did it in 2 steps. First of all, we observed the map and studied all the possible options. Then, finally, we chose: La Paz – Torotoro and Torotoro – Sucre.

Why did we choose Torotoro? Because the Lonely Planet guide described this area like one of the most wonderful national park of Bolivia, with a small and very nice town, a kind population, a cave to visit and a lot prints of dinosaurs to see. Everybody seemed to be ok about the destination; we left then La Paz on the track of the Bolivian dinosaurs!!!

We took lots of hours for only a few 250 km on a stony and sinuous road. The landscape was beautiful : mountains, canyons and countryside... It made us forget the 5 hours in the car ! Arrived to Torotoro, we were so hungry that we found immediately a hostel and the « comedor popular » (a kind of canteen of the village).

Then, we decided to do a guided tour to visit the cave of Umajalanta. We discovered on our way a few prints of dinosaurs. These were prints of carnivorous and herbivorous bipeds. The day after, we also saw a few prints of diplodocus. It was so impressive to see them after more than 100 million of years.

Puis, nous approchons de la grotte et là, nous nous enfonçons dans le noir, la visite commence ! La descente est plutôt physique, nous franchissons une petite rivière, nous nous faufilons entre d’immenses pierres, nous rampons pendant quelques mètres et nous descendons en rappel à certains moments. Notre guide, Pablo, fait preuve d’un très grand professionnalisme et nous aide lors des passages les plus difficiles. Durant ces 3 heures de visite sportive, nous découvrirons 8 salles remplies de stalactites et stalagmites, nous verrons des chauves-souris vampires (qui ne s’attaquent pas aux humains) et nous aurons la chance de voir les uniques stalactites noires du monde entier (selon Pablo, ce sont les matières minérales de la région qui ont donné cette couleur si noire aux stalactites). Nous rentrerons à notre auberge vers 21H, contents de cette ballade sportive mais superbe dans les sous-sols de la Terre.

We started our visit in the dark cave with our lamp in our head. It was a sporty walk down to the cave. We crossed a river, we crept under stones during a few meters and we abseiled down the rocks three times. Our guide, Pablo, was really professional, serious and he helped us when the way was difficult. For 3 hours, we discovered 8 « exhibition rooms » with a lot of stalactites and stalagmites, we saw as well bats. We went back to the hostel at around 9:00 pm. We really enjoyed this walk in the cave even if it was tough sometimes.

Log Book - Bolivia

Saturday, 23 January 2010 23:49 Last Updated on Monday, 08 February 2010 21:26 Written by Maxime

Normal 0 21 false false false FR X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Our first steps in Bolivia didn’t start so well because we had to give money at the frontier between Peru and Bolivia. 22 $ instead of 2$... The policemen wanted a bonus for themselves.

A couple of hours later we arrived in Copacabana a very pleasant town in front of the Lake Titicaca. We really loved the atmosphere of the town. We also loved its sweets!

After 2 days of break in this town we decided to visit the “Isla del Sol” with the friends we’ve met in Peru. The legend says that the first Incas Manco Capac and his sister Mama Ocllo appeared there. The island was very beautiful.

During the way back to Copacabana we stopped in the Titicaca to swim a bit in the Titicaca! The water was very cold but it was unforgettable.

They swam in the Titicaca lake!

We left Copacabana to La Paz which is a town without interest but its handcraft. So we bought some and sent some boxes in France to be lighter for the rest of the travel.

after the way down. We survived to this dangerous road!