Part 25: Bolivia - Uyuni’s Train Cemetery, Pulacayo a Silver Ghost Town, 12,106 SqKm of Table Salt,
Tuesday, 29 July 2014 10:07 am
Part 25: Bolivia - Uyuni’s Train Cemetery, Pulacayo a Silver Ghost Town,
12,106 SqKm of Table Salt,
Tuesday 29th July:
The morning I spent repairing steps, reverse camera, tail lights, GPS mounts and all the other little thing that rattled themselves to bits on the corrugations. Lyn had a chance to wash knowing we can fill with water tomorrow in Uyuni Town.
3km south of town is a graveyard of old steam locos and carriages
The dry desert air has saved them from rust but not from the steel stealers and graffiti vandals.
The spanish graffiti says
“Request experienced mechanic urgently”
It was then some shopping in town and for dinner tonight Lama Steaks.
Yes very tasty, and No Fat & No Cholesterol.
Somewhere between Lamb and Beef
Camp 389: Outside the Mining Ghost town of Pulcayo
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 4175 meters
S20* 24.372 W066* 42.165
Today: 36kms
Trip Total: 118,486 Km
Wednesday 30th July:
Pulacay, 22km east of Uyuini, is now a Ghost Town, but when silver was discovered in 1833 it became the worlds second largest producer of the rare metal.
This is the original mine entrance still used today for some hopeful locals.
Above the entrance is the Green & White mansion of Bolivia’s 22nd President - with a direct entrance to the mine down through the house !
The town is also the resting place of the train that was robbed by Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid.
They are buried about 200kms south west of here near St Vincent. We unsuccessfully tried to locate the now deserted one donkey town
In the town square the locals line up for their gas bottle refills.
There is no timber to burn, and Lama dung cannot be burnt for cooking.
Salar de Uyuni - The worlds largest salt flats.
It is a great expanse of nothing !
We drove for 80kms and only just 1/2 way across this particular section.
Bolivia is justly proud to be included in the Dakar Race program.
Camp 390: In the middle of nothing but Table Salt in every direction.
With friends !
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 3668 meters
S20* 15.616 W067* 39.036
Today: 123kms
Trip Total: 118,609 Km
Thursday 31st July:
Below all this salt is the worlds biggest deposit of Lithium.
There is enough here to supply every i-Pad and Car battery for the next 100 years.
Lamas in the foreground and Vicuña in the background.
30Kms south we are at the edge of the salt flats and find Aquaquiza, a cave that has been occupied by early man.
The hunter gatherers lived in this area between 10,000 and 2,500 BC
It and other surrounding caves are burial places. Here are complete skeletons together with items for the after life, Axes, Spear points and Pottery.
These are important people.
Note the compressed band around the skull above the forehead.
San Pedro is a deserted village above the new town of San Pedro de Quemes.
It was originally a Chilean town so the local Bolivians do not live in it.
Camp 391: Just off the road ...windy +
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 3693 meters
S20* 51.658 W067* 50.813
Today: 98kms
Trip Total: 118,707 Km