Bolivia: a first tasting

Type of journey: naturalistic and cultural

Bolivia is one of the poorest country in South America and its touristic organization is not so developed like that of neighbour Perù: but this real problem becomes one of the main reasons of its charm. The other reasons are the instinctiveness of people

, the simple and fresh beauty of the white churches facades

and the small cities and the wonderful and savage landscapes, first of all that of the salar of Uyuni.

This was just a first tasting of Bolivia: one week across the country, coming from the border of Desaguadero, along the Titicaca lake, and cruising among some of its beuties, towards the exit border to Perù, near Copacabana on the Titicaca lake. But this first taste is sufficient to make me say: I want to come back to Bolivia!

Things to remember: The unique landscape of the salar of Uyuni

- Cactus and white horizons on the Isla de Pescadores in the middle of the salar

- The silver mine in Potosì - The votive chapel in the cathedral of Copacabana

Plan of the journey: Perù - Titicaca lake - Tiahuanaco - La Paz - Uyuni - Potosì - Sucre - La Paz - Copacabana - Perù

You can see more photo about this jouney and others of mine, in the Webshot site at the address: http://community.webshots.com/user/arasetti

The Bolivian plateau
The typical landscape towards La Paz: Andes in the background, few...

Man with the typical monteras
Monteras is the characteristic leather hat of the people near Tarabuco.

Mirages
Light effects along the road to Uyuni

Cruising towards Uyuni
Sand dunes and the Andes in background: wonderful snapshot of our travel

Caring the baby
Familiar view on the road to Uyuni

Sunset on the road
A little rest on the road to Uyuni for the magical moment of sunset

In the salar
Blue reflections in the salar of Uyuni

Different cones
Small salt cones on the surface of the salar

White horizons
A wonderful view from Isla de Pescadores, in the middle of salar

Wind in the plateau
Afternoon colours with a strong wind,on the road from Uyuni to Potosì

Sucre: la Recoleta
The XVII century Franciscan convent

Blue and white
The typical immaculate facade of a Sucre church

The walls of Tiahuanaco
Part of the ruins of the old center of Tiahuanaco

Potosi: Tio statue in the silver mine
Coca leaves, cigarettes and alcohol are given from the poor miners

Titicaca lake from isla Suriqui
Isla Suriqui is well known for the totora boats, built by the islanders

Copacabana
The wonderful bay of Copacabana, in the Titicaca lake

Copacabana: the cathedral
The cathedral, built in arabic style, is one of the most sacred place in Bolivia

In the votive chapel
An old woman is lighting a candle, asking for some grace

Copacabana: vowing for a house
A young family is asking the Virgin a house, depicted on the wall with...

Laughing in the Tarabuco market
A young woman is enjoying herself in the market of Tarabuco, near Sucre

article published 10/19/2002

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teacher
Hi dear friends and visitors!

I am a Bolivian teacher... I have lived in Bolivia all my life... I went to the US several times and I can compare cultures...

Bolivia is a country of contrasts, in which the diversity of people and natural sites, make a wonderful option to visit... I would say it has some type of magic and charm... Tourists coming here get very impressed by the people and daily life customs of every region...

Come and visit, enjoy South America... come and enjoy this beautiful country... BOLIVIA...
— Litha Valdivia, July 23, 2003

Fantastic pics- You've inspired me!
— Charly, January 2, 2003

Great photos
Very striking and a good variety too - and I'm particularly interested as I plan to go there in May/June next year. Thanks for posting them.
— Steve Axford, October 21, 2002

You are a story-teller, Andrea
I enjoyed looking at all of your stories here, Andrea -- your pictures often tell stories about the places you visit, as opposed to merely describing the scenery. You use striking contrast in color and scale, you are not afraid to move in for detail, you find things that truly capture a sense of place and you make the most of them. Perhaps the best of your images is "Cruising towards Uyuni". You manage to put foreground, midground, and background information together to make one of the strongest travel photos I've seen on this website. It's the contrast in scale -- the small cars struggling across the sandy terrain with the massive mountains looming behind them -- that makes this picture so strong. Thank you for sharing such pictures with us, Andrea.
— Phil Douglis, October 20, 2002

Hope to return
Hi Andrea; I have just had a look at your pictures and really enjoyed them. I also looked at those on Webshots. I must say that you have brought back great memories of Bolivia. Unfortunately, I didn't visit as many places as you but I did get a good taste of it. I hope to return one day and if I have the courage I might attempt going as far as COROICO. If you are interested, you can have a look at some of my pictures at: http://www.angelfire.com/pa/chimborazo/index.html or also at Webshots under the name CHUNGARA at: http://community.webshots.com/user/chungara Take care and hope you share more of your beautiful photos. Paul
— Paul Legros, October 19, 2002

I like the way you shoot. Good composition is apparent as you provide both an overall view of the landscape and intimate detail.
— Richard Green, October 19, 2002