Dust, salt and the search for shade

South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Uyuni
April 28th 2007

Published: April 28th 2007

Crossing into Villazon (Bolivia) from La Quiaca (Argentina) is so laid back that Claire missed it, wheeling her bike past passport control and a man in a green uniform lounging against a lamp post, and into the main trading street of Villazon. Despite the uniformed official's lacked of interest, Claire decided to turn back to indulge in her share of border bureaucracy. Even though words in capita... Read Full Entry

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claire + dave

claire n dave

In July 2006, having packed up our homes and jobs, sold the children and robbed the bank, we left Australia for a year-long cycling and hiking (and mountain climbing) adventure, mostly in South America, via Cuba. Since then, we've been plotting how to do this again. Until it comes off we've made the most of what opportunities have come our way for smaller trips.... full info

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Waiting for the sun to rise, Salar de Uyuni

Fiona, the other Dave, Claire; Fredy, still in the 4WD, has seen it hundreds of times before

The sun slowly rises

Salar de Uyuni

Light and shadow

Sunrise, Salar de Uyuni

Early morning across the salar, from Isla Incahuasi

The giant cactus grows here, at a rate of 1cm a year. Some of the cactuses are more than 1,200 years old.

Eyes of chipped granite

Dave in a favourite pose, on the salar

Claire on the salar

Not too bad for this early in the morning

The main man

Fredy is back in mobile range, nearing the edge of the salar.

Salt worker, Salar de Uyuni

As if the sun doesn't burn enough, the reflection off the salt is so intense the workers have to wear sunglasses and completely cover their bodies

Cones of salt

Edge of Salar de Uyuni, near the village of Colchani

Shovelling salt, Colchani

Breakfast stalls, Uyuni

Bike parts for sale, Sunday market, Uyuni

Several hardware stalls had bits and pieces for bicycles

14th May 2007

Pat & Pete
non-member comment

Sounds even drier than Aus.
As always we look forward to your blog and this one I think was one of the best. I've just asked for a second cup of tea to quench my thirst!

16th May 2007

sheila
non-member comment

We live in Luxury!
Reading about how the local people live and work on the salt plains really makes me appreciate what we have here in England. Never again will I complain about being hard done to, especially as I jump on a jet plane to escape the British winter for a couple of weeks, or sit under the apple tree at the bottom of my garden when the going gets hot! not to mention sipping a cold beer!

16th May 2007

Barbara- Dave's mum
non-member comment

thirsty rding ?
Another area you have explored, looks awfully dry and thirsty travelling to me. You certainly have seen some different scenorios whilst cycling in this remarkable country, Australia will seem quite tame after all you have seen and done on your year out in S.A. All my love to you both mum XX

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