Uyuni to Sucre an alternative view.

 

We bounce our way out of Uyuni and onto Route 5 to Potosi. The very first thing the cars have to do is the Pulacayo pass of 4300m, our highest yet. Once over this pass we drive a twisty road and navigate endless valleys and climbs until we crest a pass and before us is a Shandhri-La. A high altitude lush valley and a picture of serenity and peace. The valley has a small pan of water at it base which is full of Flamingo, Puno duck and other birds and the grassy shores full of Lama and Vicuna. On we drive to Potosi.

What a contrast the lovely valley is with Potosi, a town built around the largest silver mine in the world. The Cerro de Potosi, the mountain containing the silver, has been literally sculpted and its innards are a honeycomb of workings. We stopped to refuel as we entered Potosi, a bad mistake for BJP. Heat quickly built up in the engine compartment and on came the dreaded fuel evaporation again. Coughing and spluttering we then had a crazy drive up through the middle of Potosi with steep narrow streets and people everywhere. Somehow we managed to find our way through the maze and out the other side. What a mad house!

We had an uneventful afternoon drive to Sucre, the first capital of Bolivia, founded by the Spanish in the 16C. It is a beautiful city full of lovely colonial Spanish architecture and squares. Our hotel was situated off a steep cobbled road which we couldn't get into so the cars were parked on a busy street for the night. We had spectacular views of the city from our hotel.

We walk into town and try to find somewhere to eat. Round and round we go and eventually settle on a Square side cafe and eat a simple supper of pizza and Hugo had a Lama steak. We have found good restaurants are hard to find in Bolivia.

We have been on the road now for eight days without a 'rest day' and everyone is very tired. Despite it being Joe's last night we all head for bed early. Chris's Rolls Royce and Ham's Lagonda are both going well but my Lagonda BJP is dogged by fuel evaporation problems. What to do?