Exciting, evocative South America: Scenes from Bolivia via Instagram

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

A photo recap of 17 days spent in beautiful and rugged Bolivia. 

The most stunning place I travelled to last year?

It’s a no brainer: Bolivia. It was hands down the most fascinating place I set foot in in 2015. Perhaps ever.

Bolivia in three words is broad, bold, and bizarre.  It’s also the land of plenty. It has the largest salt flat in the world, holds 50-70% of its lithium reserves, and the Cerro Rico in Potosi has one of the world’s largest silver deposits.

I’ve written a couple of posts about Bolivia (see here and here), but the most vivid and detailed reports of my 17 days in the country are found on my Instagram page.  To save you the trouble of going through my feed, a round-up of all my Bolivia IG posts are below. Enjoy!

Because #selfies are way more fun when done on planes with silly faces. Wheels up! LGA-MIA-LPB

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

Just back from a 3 day tour of Bolivia’s Uyuni desert. If you’re looking to get “off the grid” or “off the beaten path”, this is the place– I went 3 days without internet(!), showering (deo was my friend), and heating (no small feat when temps reach below zero degrees Celsius at night). The last day and a half we didn’t even have running water! Remote doesn’t begin to describe it. Our tour group drove 900km across the desert in a 4×4 and came across the most unbelievable landscapes: red lagoons occupied by flamingos, pastel colored volcanoes that could have been painted by Salvador Dali, natural hot springs and stinky sulphur sputtering geysers, and rock formations that made us feel like we had been transported from Earth and onto Mars. We also visited what the desert is best known for: the Uyuni Salt Flat, whose barren landscape lends itself to being the perfect stage for perspective-bending photos like this one! Because I’ve always dreamed of being able to dwarf my husband and force-feed him a bottle of whiskey. Obvs.

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

Because the thirst is super duper real in the desert.

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

I’ve never met a rooftop view I didn’t like! Looking good, Potosi. #bolivia

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

The “Salvador Dali” desert. The landscapes in Southwest Bolivia are really like no other!

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

The city of Sucre is Bolivia’s constitutional capital and said to be its most beautiful city. I tend to agree. Street upon street of stunning whitewashed buildings capped with spires and red-tiled roofs make the city feel at once Mediterranean and like something out of a Disney fairy tale. The warm weather is a welcome surprise, too– the city is “only” located at 2,800 feet above sea level (Potosi is at 4,100 ft asl, Copacabana and Uyuni at 3,700), which means that for the first time on this trip I’ve been able to walk around outside without lugging around a coat, scarf, and gloves! I may be Canadian but I have Jamaican blood coursing through my veins– I’m allergic to the cold! Making sure to suck up all this heat before heading back to NYC on the weekend!

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

Because jumping photos are my favorite kind of photos. #fbf #lastfriday #bolivia

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

We flew into Santa Cruz today, Bolivia’s largest city with around 2 million inhabitants. Despite its size, there is not much to do or see here for tourists, so after a little thumb-twiddling we decided to head to the local #zoo. Now I love animals, so was initially elated, but the experience left me with mixed emotions. Mostly because seeing majestic animals like this leopard walk around listlessly in tiny cages made me feel a bit depressed. What is the solution? Zoos are important for education I think (we came across 4 or 5 school groups on field trips in the two hours were there– the kids were so excited!) but the freedom and health of the animals, at least in this case, seemed so obviously compromised. What to do? How do we grant access without hurting the species?

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

Day 16 of 17 in #Bolivia. As this voyage nears its end, I’m reminded of just how big and beautiful the world is. Ever since I first saw pictures of the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia has been on my (unofficial) bucket list. As expected, then, it was the highlight of my time here. But there’s more to the country: the unexpected 360° views and tasty cuisine in La Paz, the unreal sapphire hues of Lake Titicaca, the rugged and heartbreaking silver mines of Potosi, the whitewashed, genteel architecture of historic Sucre, and the young, modern, hopping city of Santa Cruz, which reminds me so much of my former home of Monterrey, Mexico– with its heat and fancy restaurants and clubs– that I am immediately transported back to 2008 when me and “mis gueys” used to tear up the Barrio Antiguo on a Friday night! And all that is without mentioning the amazing people (both local and fellow tourists) I had the pleasure of meeting this trip: the lovely Canadian girls on an epic 2 week, 3 country tour, Oscar the tour guide in Uyuni, whose knowledge is as deep and vast as the salt plains, the fearless British “Poncho Boys” living their own version of The Motorcycle Diaries, the physiotherapist couple travelling around the world for the year (broken teeth and all!), Pedro the former miner who took us deep into the mines so we could understand his livelihood! Bolivia, you were the bomb dot com and the most fascinating place I’ve been to in a while! Memories and blessings abound! Gracias. This is why I travel.

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

Sometimes my #husband just blows me away. #bolivia

A photo posted by @oneikatraveller on

What do you think of Bolivia? Is it on your radar?

SHARING IS CARING

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

48 Comments

  • I”m sold!! I was just in Ecuador earlier this month with some people who were continuing on through Peru and Bolivia – and I was definitely bummed I wasn’t joining them! I would worry about the altitude, but it sounds like it’s worth it! (I guess the good news is that it didn’t bother me much in Quito, other than making me a bit restless at night.)

  • Bolivia is definitely on my bucket list! I have to admit, though, that it (and Peru) make me nervous about altitude sickness, though. Thanks for the pictures!

  • Hi, what your tour company did you go with for your 3 day salt flats tour? Thanks -p

  • What i don’t understood is in fact how you’re now not really much more smartly-appreciated than you might be now.

    You are very intelligent. You already know therefore considerably in relation to this subject, produced me for my part believe it from numerous varied angles.
    Its like women and men are not interested except it’s one
    thing to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs great.
    At all times handle it up!

  • Thank you for any other informative blog. Where else
    may just I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect approach?
    I have a challenge that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the glance out for such info.

  • We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme
    in our community. Your website provided us with helpful information to work on. You’ve
    performed a formidable task and our whole neighborhood will likely be thankful to you.

  • Hello to every body, it’s my first go to see
    of this weblog; this website carries amazing and truly fine
    data in favor of visitors.

  • Currently it sounds like Movable Type is the top blogging platform available right now.
    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  • Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times
    it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance.
    I must say that you’ve done a very good job with this. Also, the blog loads extremely
    quick for me on Chrome. Outstanding Blog!

  • Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this web site, because i want
    enjoyment, since this this website conations really nice funny data too.

  • Helpful info. Lucky me I discovered your website by accident, and I’m shocked why this coincidence did not came about in advance! I bookmarked it.|

  • Hi to every single one, it’s genuinely a nice for me to go to see this website,
    it contains precious Information.

  • Hi there all, here every one is sharing these familiarity, thus it’s good to read this webpage, and I used
    to visit this website every day.

  • Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this,
    like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this
    is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

  • For the reason that the admin of this website is working, no
    question very quickly it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.

  • Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
    Very useful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such
    info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a
    long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  • Hi my loved one! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include almost all vital infos.

    I’d like to see extra posts like this .

  • Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about
    this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something.
    I think that you just could do with a few % to power the message
    house a little bit, however other than that, that is magnificent
    blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.

  • I like the helpful info you provide to your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more right here regularly.
    I’m moderately certain I will be told lots of new stuff right right here!
    Good luck for the following!

  • What’s up to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this
    site, and your views are fastidious in favor of new people.

  • I read this piece of writing fully concerning the comparison of hottest
    and preceding technologies, it’s remarkable article.

  • Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. But think of if you added some great graphics or video
    clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is
    excellent but with pics and clips, this site could certainly be one of
    the very best in its field. Wonderful blog!

  • I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading incredibly slow
    for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

  • Hi there, just wanted to say, I loved this blog post.
    It was inspiring. Keep on posting!

  • What’s up, this weekend is good in support
    of me, for the reason that this time i am reading
    this enormous educational post here at my home.

  • Excellent weblog here! Additionally your website quite a bit up fast!
    What host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink on your host?
    I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious familiarity regarding unpredicted
    feelings.

  • Since the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very rapidly it will be famous, due to its quality contents.

  • I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.
    I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week.
    I opted in for your Feed as well.

  • What’s up to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are
    pleasant in support of new viewers.

  • Wow, that’s what I was seeking for, what a information!
    existing here at this webpage, thanks admin of this website.

  • It’s amazing in favor of me to have a web site, which is
    valuable in favor of my know-how. thanks admin

  • What’s up mates, how is the whole thing, and what you
    desire to say on the topic of this piece of writing, in my view its actually amazing in support of me.

Comments are closed.