On the way to Brazil
Finally we resume our route ...
Those are the vagaries of long-term travel. In preparing this odyssey we had integrated mechanical problems. We bought our faithful companion 23 years ago without thinking about this time around the world. We followed the maintenance book provided by fiat and before leaving we entrusted it to our mechanic for a complete check.
We had two options for this trip, either to sell it and buy a younger one, or to keep it... We chose the second option because of the lack of electronics in the engine and the various devices in the cockpit ...
And above all we attached ourselves to it!!
By returning to France every six months, we can bring back spare parts or other items.
Wear and tear of parts after 23 years is quite normal ... Except for the bad advice obtained from the first supplier and the clearance time .. Finally it is an experience among many!!!
1,608 km separate us from the border with Brazil. We already know most of the routes we will take and the important tourist sites that mark our trip.
Jack’s giving us a route to avoid the big cities. Once again, we cross beautiful and different landscapes every day ... Along the way we visit each other:
* El fuerte de Samaipata: The most important rock monument in the Americas. Figures and motifs were cut from a single massive block of reddish rock.
The archaeological site was occupied by the Incas who used it as the most advanced post of the empire, which it marked the border until its fall. He represented the administrative centre responsible for ensuring the order of the Inca in the region, but his main function was to repel the frequent attempts of incursion of the Guarani Indians
* Chochis: At the foot of the imposing red rock "Cerro de Chochis" is the santuario Chochis, a memorial erected in memory of the victims of a flood in 1979. Best known for its wooden sculptures.
We take 5 days to reach the border post
Tarija / Tupiza
We collect our parcel at the opening of the agency and prepare our suitcases to not exceed 20 kg allowed.
Our flight is scheduled for 8 pm to Tarija where we booked a hotel room. It is the only direct flight from Santa Cruz.
Indeed transportation in Bolivia is not simple. The majority of air destinations are concentrated between Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba. Other regional cities are connected with stopovers or by late flights.
As far as buses are concerned, the connections are mainly made at night in sleeper buses with departures between 7 pm and 11 pm for an arrival from 3 am ... It is not uncommon to have to change buses along the way.
We tried everything to avoid the road of death between Tarija and Tupiza, but the other solutions were too complicated.
Of course our flight is late and after our installation in our seedy hotel we head to the central square for a nice dinner.
We asked Jack to pick us up the next morning at 9:00 a.m. He arrived an hour late because of a flat tire.
Before leaving the city we do some shopping in a supermarket for a few days supply, the camper being empty.
After 1 hour drive we stopped in the middle of the mountain because of the brush fires. We remain blocked more than 2 hours.
We are once again on the famous "road to death" which proves to be true to its reputation ... a real nightmare ...
A few kilometers from the finish, we die again... Poor Jack: 2 punctures in the same day.
We are happy to find our camper after 8 hours of driving.
We contact Miguel the mechanic and make an appointment for the next day at 10 am.
The 10 o'clock turns into 11:30 . . Bolivian punctuality ... never get angry ... let’s stay zen.
Christophe checks the parts received and miracle those are the right ones.
After 2 hours of work, the repair is done ... Test on the road for verification ... everything is ok.
We spend the afternoon preparing for our departure.
At 10 pm, we receive the surprise visit of Jack and his wife who come to bring us a little souvenir of Tupiza ... What beautiful attention and especially what kindness.
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Santa Cruz de la Sierra
We are still waiting for our parcel to arrive at the Santa Cruz customs on June 29 (see booklet no. 156).
We rent an apartment in a residential area, which is more comfortable than a hotel room.
The weather is mixed: often covered with rain showers ... But the sun also makes its appearance ... The temperature is pleasant 30°.... What a joy!!
The days go quite quickly between shopping, restaurant and updating the site.
The last day we visit the botanical and zoological garden where species from all over South America are represented.
We were able to admire caimans, toucans, condors, monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, pythons, and many others ...
Finally our package is cleared on July 10th!!! it stayed 12 days in customs.
ROAD BOOK 160
MAVROS ODYSSEE