Canadian World Traveller Spring 2023 Issue

78
toric colonial style building, continues the
local monks recipe for beautiful Singani liquor
originally for the mine workers. This day was
like being in a fairytale, with a sunny blue sky,
freshness in the air and dry desert surroundings,
made for a delightful and memorable
stay and tour of the Camargo region.
Potosi
Camargo was a gentle journey uphill to higher
altitudes and by driving to Potosi, we would
now be entering the Andes. At 4000 meters,
this mining city is considered the highest city in
the world.
The Spanish came here looking for gold, but
as luck would have it, found lots of silver. This
area was mined 500 years ago and is still
today. There is plenty of silver as well as other
sorts of metals and is the source of Potosi’s
main economy. It was once the richest place in
the world. So hilly is the city that you can barely
walk a block without going up or down hill.
We had to pace ourselves as the air is thin and
breathing is difficult and muscle cramps are
common. Our enthusiastic guide was formally
a mine worker and explained to us how
dangerous and demanding the job was. Even
though he worked hard every day for years,
he struggled to make any income and decided
to lead tours instead and show the best of
his fascinating city. Of interest in Potosi: an
underground mine tour, a visit to the historic
mints and museums, the cathedral and
churches and the markets.
Uyuni
Incredible, unbelievable and breathtaking,
these are just a few words to describe this
ultra-unique experience. No trip to Bolivia
would be complete without a visit to the Uyuni
Salt Flats. High in the altitude of the Andes,
the receding oceans millions of years ago left
seawater that once evaporated would leave
tons of salt as far as the eye can see. Known
as barren grounds, this is a desert with less
than 10% humidity. I thought nothing could
possibly live here yet in the islands of the salt
flats, there are cactuses that grow by less than
a centimeter per year.
The flats are a major tourist attraction, and for
obvious reasons. Its natural beauty can easily
be the highlight of our tour and with a 4x4, an
experienced driver and knowledgeable guide
of Iamigo tours we would find ourselves in yet
another fairytale setting. The scenery was out
of this world, like something from a distant
planet. With plenty of challenges, such as thin
air, and lots of UV rays we would thoroughly
enjoy this spiritual and mystical place snapping
up photos of the flats, the islands, and
the incredible and stunning setting sun.
Besides the flats, there is railway car graveyard.
This would be yet another unique experience
to see dozens of locomotives and railway
cars sitting idle and rusting in the Uyuni
desert. Just another day of amazing Bolivian
diversity.
Lake Titicaca
Another day in Bolivia, yet another high altitude
destination, and another unique experience.
Now in northern Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is
the highest navigable lake in the world and is
shared between Peru and Bolivia as tourists
traverse both countries to get the most and
best of these two amazing destinations.
Historically, Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of
the Inca Empire, and a one-hour boat ride
would bring us to Isla del Sol, the heart of the
Inca Empire and a spiritual place for these
people. The island is tranquil and a great
place to relax and reflect on the natural,
beautiful, and serene surroundings. Also
found here are the magnificent ruins of the
Tiwanaku people that preceded the Inca. For
the energetic, there are trails that cross this
island leading to some of amazing historic
treasure while at the same time giving incredible
vistas of this lake in the clouds.
On the shore, the town of Copacabana itself
has a remarkable Cathedral, plenty of
tourists’ shops and restaurants serving the
specialty of fish caught from the lake.
To any serious travelers, Bolivia is a must visit
destination. It has a little of something different
not found anywhere else. Being landlocked
and bordering five other great destinations:
Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and
Chile, it has something in common with all its
neighbours. Our trip was both invigorating
and challenging, and in the end, it was a
great adventure with many wonderful memories.
For its many incredible sites, it is easily a
standalone destination, or can be combined
as a multi-country tour. Either way, Bolivia will
stand out as being: magnificent, magical and
mystical!
https://conocebolivia.produccion.gob.bo/
Magnificent
agical
ystical
World Traveler Spring 2023