7 May – Potosi

We left Salta on May1 and headed for the border with Bolivia. The border crossing was very easy and we walked across a bridge between Argentina and Bolivia. We then drove to Tupiza and our first Bolivian town. What an amazing country – fantastic scenery and windy narrow unpaved roads that peter out into into river bed crossings or even a few kilometres along the river bed when the road had disappeared from rock falls!.

Houses are made from mud bricks and most women are in traditional dress complete with bowler hats. We have totally fallen in love with this country and its gentle people. We have slowly been introduced to life at altitude and are currently in the highest city in the world at 4070m above sea level. Breathing is difficult but not too bad if you take things very very slowly especially walking up the steep hilly streets!. We have to drink at least 4 litres of water a day and eat sugary sweets and take rehydration salts. So far so good.

During the week we also visited Uyuni and spent a day visiting the biggest salt flats in the world. We drove 125 km from the edge of the flats to a volcanic island complete with cactus, lizards, birds and rabbit like creatures. Quite amazing when you think that the island is surrounded by flat salt beds for 100 or so Km in every direction.

Life on the truck has improved since 2 of the regular complainers decided to leave – hurrah!

After a leisuely day visiting the royal mint museum, lunch, strolling through market places in lovely sunshine and warm weather, we are just about to get all dressed up in warm clothes since once the sun sets it drops below zero!!.

Tomorrow we leave at 6 30 am for a 12 hour drive to La Paz.