Boliwia: zobaczyli Poloneza i nie sprzedali mi paliwa - MotoBieda

Summary

Join us on an exhilarating episode of 'The Automotive Voice' as we take the Polonez on a daring expedition across South America, from the bustling streets of La Paz, Bolivia, to the challenging terrains leading to Chile. Our adventure is filled with unique encounters, from navigating through chaotic city traffic and marveling at the eclectic architecture of La Paz, to enduring the vast salt flats of Salar de Uyuni and overcoming the treacherous lagoon road. Despite numerous challenges, including fuel issues and mechanical breakdowns, the Polonez remarkably withstands the harsh conditions, proving its resilience. This episode is not just a journey through diverse landscapes but a testament to the spirit of adventure and the enduring charm of the Polonez.

Takeaways

• 😀 They spent a long time entering Peru due to problems with the border crossing system
• 🚗 They discovered old Dodge buses converted for use in La Paz due to the steep roads
• ⛽ Getting fuel in Bolivia is complicated due to dual pricing for locals vs foreigners
• 🚂 They visited an abandoned train scrapyard that has become a tourist attraction
• 🌡️ La Paz is the highest capital city in the world at about 3600-3800 meters elevation
• 🛣️ They took a very difficult 500km off-road route to see the salt flats and Laguna Colorado
• 🚗 The Polonez held up remarkably well despite the demanding route
• 🌄 They spent an uncomfortable night sleeping in the Polonez in the wilderness
• 🏜️ Driving on the salt flats was disorienting but amazing
• 👮‍♂️ Entering Chile was straightforward with orderly border control

Q & A

What kind of car is the narrator driving across South America?

The narrator is driving a Polonez, an old Polish car, across South America.

What countries does the narrator drive through in this part of the journey?

In this part of the journey, the narrator drives through Bolivia and enters Chile.

What difficulties does the narrator encounter when trying to buy fuel in Bolivia?

The narrator has difficulties buying fuel in Bolivia because the government subsidizes fuel for locals, but charges double for foreign registered vehicles. Many gas stations can't or won't sell him the higher priced foreigner fuel.

Where does the narrator take the Polonez to try to 'rot' it?

The narrator takes the Polonez to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, the largest salt flat in the world, to try to rot it.

What tourist attraction does the narrator visit with old trains and locomotives?

The narrator visits a train cemetery near Uyuni, Bolivia which has been an abandoned scrapyard of trains since the 1940s, but is now a tourist attraction.

What special road does the narrator attempt to drive the Polonez on?

The narrator attempts to drive the Polonez on the difficult Lagunas Route which goes by high altitude lakes, has gravel and sand, and is normally only driven by specialized 4x4 vehicles.

Where does the narrator end up sleeping in the Polonez?

The narrator ends up sleeping in the Polonez in the middle of nowhere at about 4,800 meters altitude along the Lagunas Route.

What lake does the narrator reach after a difficult drive?

After a difficult drive, the narrator reaches Laguna Colorada, a colorful lake at high altitude.

How does the road condition change when entering Chile from Bolivia?

When entering Chile from Bolivia, the road suddenly changes from gravel to good quality asphalt.

How well does the Polonez hold up after the demanding drive?

Surprisingly, the Polonez holds up quite well after the demanding off-road drive, with only minor damage like a broken grill and exhaust.