From Potosí, I was supposed to continue to Tupiza, from where the big tour to Salar de Uyuni should start. However, the wine region Tarija in the south was worth a detour. Especially after almost 3 months of hardly having the opportunity to drink good wine. Advertised as the Tuscany of Bolivia, that was not soooo exaggerated. The climate was pleasantly warm and Tarija, as the largest city in the area, has a relaxed atmosphere with many plazas and palm trees.
The Copa. The landmark of Tarija. Even from a distance it didn't look very nice, so I didn't get any closer.From here there was a good view of the city.And this is the only cathedral in Bolivia that is NOT directly on the plaza! The hammer. But it was somehow closed and generally not very lively.And here's the proof. Photo FROM the plaza.The plaza was as nicely prepared as always. Unfortunately, there were also a lot of pigeons.I also visited Casa Dorado. Unfortunately, there are no photos from the inside. But it was a magnificent house of one of the richest couples in the city, with its own chapel approved by the Pope himself. The rooms were well preserved and covered with gold almost everywhere. They really went all out.
The next day, I went on a trip to one of the surrounding wine villages - Valle de la Concepción. This is where the smaller, traditional wineries are located. And there were more similarities with the Palatinate than expected. Wine is present everywhere. The streets are adorned with numerous pictures, here and there a wine barrel, some restaurants with wine tasting and a view of the vineyards. The people are more open, warm and interested. And of course, the wineries themselves are also magnificent and representative estates. All of this seemed quite familiar to me. Just not Palatinate-style. All in all, it was a relaxed afternoon with lots of sun, nice people, and good wine.
Many beautiful pictures in the streets of Valle de la Concepción.A very nice idea.I particularly liked that. How was it... Jesus' blood into wine?And the winemakers seem to have the same sense of humor everywhere. We open when we arrive. We close when we leave. And if we are not here when you arrive, it's because you didn't call. Everything the farmer/winemaker needs. Or should need?
Tupiza
I could have stayed in Tarija for a few more days. Unfortunately, the weather changed, so I drove directly to Tupiza. Tupiza feels a bit like a small western town. And there are also some barren canyons, desert landscapes, and rock formations in the surrounding area. Finally, a hostile wilderness and lots of cacti in a dry and hot environment. Ideal for a solitary hike under the sun.
Rocks and cacti! Nothing else.These are really great plants.Actually, I wanted to ask again what grows on these spiky trees.Looks like peanut flips somehow.Puerta del Diablo. The gate of the devil.Los Machos Machos. Erosion - not the beer - formed these beautiful bodies.At the end, you could have continued walking into the canyon. Along the dried-up riverbed, you would have returned to Tupiza.But this view somehow appealed to me more.And then came the next canyon with the next gate. Cañón del Inca.The French always manage to do it...Looks almost like a face from the side.Up close, it somehow looked like someone had created these formations with mud, clay, and stones.
