Jujuy to Tupiza

Saturday 19th Febuary

I arrived into San Salvador de Jujuy about 19:30 after getting dropped off from the excursion I had taken from Salta that morning. Was handy getting dropped off from the tour as it saved me the hassel of getting a seperate bus from Salta to Jujuy.

Checked into HI Club Hostel in Jujuy .. for 2 nights (45Arg$ per night)

Really not much to do here in Jujuy ... I took a walk around the town on Saturday night and had dinner but it ended up pouring rain later that evening. Seemed to be a good crowd about town but I think theres alot more to do in Salta. Jujuy seems like a much smaller town. Got chatting to some other backpackers at the hostel that evening but other than that .. a fairly relaxing evening. Think I needed it after my week in Salta!

Sunday 20th Febuary

On Sunday, I took a walk around the town, and went down to the bus station. There were spaces available on the bus that night ... at 02:00 heading to the Argentinian border town of La Quiaca so I decided to get myself a ticket. I had already booked in to stay in the hostel on Sunday night too but I figured theres not gonna be much to do in Jujuy on Monday and the hostel seemed pretty quiet so no point hanging around.

After getting my bus ticket I spent Sunday afternoon walking around some of the markets and Jujuy centre taking photos, and later went in to the centre for dinner.

Poured rain again Sunday evening and didnt stop all evening! I think the further north I´m travelling the wetter its getting ... rainy season!! Got a taxi around 01:00 to the bus station and after some delay with the bus, by 02:45 I was on my way to the Argentinian border town of La Quiaca.

Arrived to La Quiaca early on Monday morning (21st Febuary)... about 07:30. Didnt hang around La Quiaca .. took a short walk to the Argentinian border for immigration and then crossed the bridge into Villazon, Bolivia. A fairly easy border crossing compared to some of the crossings I´ve had to do between Argentina and Chile.Its hard to believe its over 5,000 km from here to Ushuaia in Southern Argentina where I was last November.

Some pictures from Villazon, Bolivia:

Once across the border, I made my way to the bus station to catch the next bus to Tupiza where I hoped to get accommodation for the night. I got a local bus heading to Tupiza (15 Bolivianos). I also met some Israeli backpackers who I had met in Salta who were also travelling on the same bus. Was great to meet some familiar faces travelling the same way.

Only a short bus journey to Tupiza  ... I had no accomodation booked in Tupiza so I went to the HI Valle Hermosa Hostel with the Israeli guys. They had plenty of rooms available. I took a walk around town and tried another place (which seemed a bit nicer) but they were booked out so I went back to the HI Hostel and checked in ... I was only planning in spending one night here anyway.

 I took a walk around Tupiza centre and also got my first taste of Bolivian Internet connection in Tupiza .. my God its slow!

Some photos of the streets of Tupiza:

I made some enquiries back at the hostel about going on the 4 day jeep tour to the Uyuni Salt Falts tomorrow morning but it was so difficult to get exact information (in hindsight I dont know why I was in such a rush to do the tour straight away as Tupiza is a nice town and I could have easily spent another night here). I met up with a Danish girl Anne who also wanted to the tour next day. Another girl in the hostel (Limor from Israel) was also interested in doing the tour ... so later myself, Anne and Limor booked ourselves onto the tour leaving next morning (Tupiza Tours). There was already a Canadian girl booked to do the tour .. so there will be 4 of us in total ... 

Tupiza seems to be full of pizza restuarants ... I had pizza for lunch and then later that evening more pizza for dinner evening with some other backpackers I met in the hostel, Heidi (from Canada) and Kasia and Pawel (from Poland):

 

Later that night, I had a shower (as I figured it could be my last one in 4 days) and packed my backpack for an early start in the morning. Looking forward to the 4 day jeep tour to Uyuni.