Tucuman-Humahuaca - The Quiaca - Tupiza (Bolivia) - Uyuni
I'm early but I could not not tell you this great night on the Salar de Uyuni Bolivia ...
Because yes I am in Bolivia after crossing northern Argentina (the stop is not so bad market) and crossed the border between La Quiaca and Villazon. Once the Bolivian side, it feels very fast change, everything is much less organized, there are very few cars, the buildings are crude and sloppy, street vendors fill the streets ... It's a real change of scene, sometimes a little confusing. is across the border I met Stan, a Belgian travel here with whom we decide to do a bit of road together.
Two days later here we are in Uyuni, South West Bolivian city famous for its employees, a kind of salt lake of over 12,000 square miles but totally dry! 100% Salt!
To take advantage of the most common option and the best selling is the organized tour. To summarize, seven gringos piled into an old 4X4 smoking and we will walk this little world on this stretch of salt, gentle enough many photo stops and stops in small villages, which amount to a sale of handicrafts. For Stan and for me this option does not really packed, our dream is to enjoy the Salar to ourselves, in a quiet corner and spend the night, even if you are only small party. After a quick fishing expedition, here we decided to walk from the Salar, the bag on the back for the night. Providence put in our way Scott, a Scotsman named us well ahead of more than 25 km, which in this heat is pretty nice.
So here we are facing the Salar to 16h, the dream is at hand (or rather foot) because there is only one small formality completed without too much problem, fording. And yes, the rainy season is still not far away and part of the Salar is under a thin layer of water. The shoes in hand, pants and reassembled the bag on his back, Off we went, heading for a place that we seem to do the trick.
Past wetlands, dry corner is found, we planted the tent just have to admire the breathtaking scope that gives the impression of walking on the sea or tackle to conquer the South Pole. We get a wonderful sunset in maxi-kino-overamax 370 degrees, reflecting on the expanse of salt. Then there is the night sky and a rather cool a bit threatening to avoid becoming engaged in (almost) nothing excitement caused by being there, alone on the famous Salar or absolute silence reigns. Dinner and the night swallowed now fallen well, it is to protect the biting cold. For me it's going to go but Stan is a bit more complicated, it has no canopy and in mine there is only one place. Technique of "spring roll in survival blanket" for him then, hoping the wind does not force or rotating. The cloudy sky does not offer as many stars as we would have liked but who cares, the night is beautiful.
An area salty without any shelter at night is tough for the camper to the stars but the reward of a beautiful sunrise just welcome to my travel companion who came close to freezing in the cooler hours of the night, the wind had obviously turned and strength.
It's really hard to explain what it feels like walking on the sea salt, with a broad horizon like nowhere else on the ground desperately white. This is a wonderful thing, coupled with the fact arriving there by himself and avoided the "ruta del gringo."
By late morning we pass these channels bordering the Salar de Uyuni before going on with, in the eyes reddened by the violence of the reverb, incredible images and memories of our unique passage in this part of Bolivia.
So the journey continues for at least another two days across Bolivia, I'll let you know.
Benoit
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