Below is a continuation of an impression of the Oruro Carnival followed by photos of the Tiwanaka (Tiahuanaco) ruins.
This was the capital for one of the most important pre-Columbian civilisations in South America. Tiwanaka probably existed
from 1600BC, but this complex from 900AD. The empire covered from South Peru to North Chili and the North-West of Argentina.
Many souvenirs of the Sun Gate, the monoliths and the Tiwanaka calendar can be bought in La Paz.
Place cursor over picture to see description. Click on thumb for a larger image.
21 February 2004 - 27 February 2004, Oruro, La Paz:
After La Paz I went yet again to Cochabamba. This time to meet up with Roberto and Silvana with whom I had stayed with in Sucre. Here I enjoyed the hospitality of Silvana's parents. May I thank Silvana, Roberto and their relatives yet again. They accepted me in their homes, fed me, booked and paid for my Cochabamba 'carnival' tickets and didn't want anything in return. The carnival-like photos below I took in Cochabamba. Cochabamba also celebrates the week after carnival with parades. Some of the groups also attended the Oruro carnival. The locals complained that this was the worst parade they had had for years. Bad organisation with large gaps between the groups and too many people (spectators) walking on the parade ground. Maybe this had to do with the new location for the parade, outside the city center.
This time I visited the Cochabamba statue of Christ. According to Roberto it's taller than the one in Rio. When in Rio everyone visits that one, as I did, so I might as well visit this one. This one is hollow with many look-out holes on the way up. It gives good views of Cochabamba city.
May stay in Bolivia had to come to an end. It came here as my 90-day visa was just about to run out. I left Cochabamba on a direct bus to Arica, Chili. A route taking me right through Sajama Nation Park. It's a shame that the Sajama volcano was of and on cloud covered as I passed it. The volcano is the highest point in Bolivia (6549m). The border crossing itself is at 4500m next to a lake between several volcanoes. At the Chilean border all baggage is checked for dairy produce and vegetables. All vehicles tires are sprayed with foot and mouth disinfectant.
27 February 2004 - 09 March 2004, La Paz, Cochabamba :
Venezuela (21-02-2003 thru 15-08-2003)
[Overview]
Brazil (16-08-2003 thru 28-08-2003)
[Overview]
Peru
(12-09-2003 thru 04-12-2003) [Overview]
Bolivia Overview
Bolivia-1 (05-12-2003 thru 27-12-2004) [Copacabana, La Paz, Toro Toro]
Bolivia-2 (28-12-2003 thru 07-02-2004) [Sucre, Tarija, Tupiza, Uyuni]
Bolivia-3 (08-02-2004 thru 21-02-2004) [Uyuni, Potosi, Oruro]
Bolivia-5 (21-02-2004 thru 21-02-2004) [more Oruro carnival photos]
Chili
(01-03-2004 thru 09-03-2004) [Overview]
Argentina (10-03-2004 thru 09-05-2004) [Overview]