Traveling to Bolivia this summer....have you been there?
May 11, 2015 15:09:57 #
My wife and I are going to Bolivia this summer attend a wedding in the city of Cocibamba. If any of my fellow hogs have been to the city or the country, I would appreciate any tips you can offer. I am planing to take my Nikon 800e and d7000 as a back up, plus the trinity zooms (14-24, 24-70, 70-200). This will be mostly a pleasure trip (I hope) but would like to get some keeper images. I am a very eclectic photographer and enjoy capturing all kinds of images. I was recently in Cuba and mostly did street photography, and it worked out great. I might do the same on this trip, but I am open to suggestions and opportunities. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
May 11, 2015 15:30:18 #
May 12, 2015 06:59:00 #
About 8400 feet elevation. Plan on being out of breath the first few days especially. Some people get bad "soroche" - altitude illness with headaches and flu-like symptoms. If you have had problems at altitude in the past you can get some Diamox from your doc to take for a few days while you acclimate. If you have not gotten Hepatitis A vaccine in the past before your travels, you should get it before this trip. It is a huge problem throughout the Andes. Most doctors now have this. You should get one shot and a second one six months later, but even the first shot gives you 95% protection.
Big city in a poor country - obviously take precautions against pickpockets. Pacsafe makes some nice slash-proof camera straps and daybags, available through Amazon.
Big city in a poor country - obviously take precautions against pickpockets. Pacsafe makes some nice slash-proof camera straps and daybags, available through Amazon.
May 12, 2015 08:28:06 #
Thanks! I have gotten the Hep A shot and the first of the Hep B shots, with the second one scheduled for later this month. I had heard about the pickpockets and the altitude issues, so I have medication for the later ( no cure for the former!) I'm thinking about the straps. Thanks again!
May 12, 2015 08:29:01 #
May 12, 2015 09:25:13 #
FParisi wrote:
Thanks! I have gotten the Hep A shot and the first of the Hep B shots, with the second one scheduled for later this month. I had heard about the pickpockets and the altitude issues, so I have medication for the later ( no cure for the former!) I'm thinking about the straps. Thanks again!
The Hep B vaccination won't hurt you.... I don't know why some travel clinics and docs recommend it. Hep A you get from eating, which, it is safe to assume, you will be doing on your trip. Hep B you get from sharing body fluids with someone who has it - you really, really have to go out of your way to get it! If you were going to be living there for six months or more (and could be injured or need surgery and require a transfusion) I would advise Hep B. For a short visit, naw. If you are young and foolish (stupid) I recommend it. But if you are not likely to engage in sex with strangers or to get tattoos or shoot up some smack on your trip, you are not very likely to encounter Hep B. And of course all of those things also expose you to some viruses for which we do NOT have a vaccine! I had an 18-year old come in one time for some pre-trip planning. He was going to Rio, and one of the first things he said was: "I hear you can get really great tattoos in Rio for not a lot of money". Like I said.... young and stupid/foolish.
May 12, 2015 10:38:57 #
LOL! No, I am not planning on sharing body fluids unless I get lucky with my spouse, but your advice is appreciated greatly. Thanks again!
May 12, 2015 12:07:00 #
ricardo7
Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile
I would recommend going to the Bolivian Atacama Desert. And if you have the time, cross the border to San Pedro de Atacama. Terrific oasis village with excellent restaurants and accommodations and quite a number of beautiful desert landscapes.
May 12, 2015 13:21:11 #
Great suggestion. I have heard it is an amazing place. Unfortunately, I don't think we will get there...we will be way far north. I have feeling we will be spending a lot of time in Cocibamba and La Paz. Thanks for the reply.
May 12, 2015 18:07:28 #
FParisi wrote:
My wife and I are going to Bolivia this summer att... (show quote)
There is a great archeological site - Tiwanaku/Tiahuanaco - within a reasonable car ride (about 2 hours) from La Paz - look it up if you are interested - we had a nice and very interesting day-trip to that area about twenty years ago.
Good luck on exploring some segments of Bolivia!
May 12, 2015 18:21:45 #
Great! Thanks for the suggestion. I will make a note of it! We will have access to a car and we should have the time to do day trips. I'll post any good shots.
May 13, 2015 09:48:16 #
I would try to make the time to go to the Uyuni, the salt flats. you can take a bus, which takes about ten hours, or take the train, or a combination of both.
Check out images of this place on Google....worth the time!!
Check out images of this place on Google....worth the time!!
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