The tour of Salar de Uyuni (Bolivian salt flats) & surrounding Andes landscape - A 3 day-2 night driving tour of the region was absolutely out of this world. Neither our pictures nor descriptions can do this justice, as this is truly a one of a kind experience.

Day 1: Our tour started with 6 people (Mike and I, plus two couples from Italy) cramming into a 4 wheel drive overland cruiser under the care of our experienced guide (only Spanish speaking) and our cook. The first stop was to pay respect to the first train in Bolivia at the railroad graveyard. From there we raced the other tour vehicles to Salar de Uyuni. The salt flats are the largest in the world with white stretching out in front of you for as far as the eye can see (minus the volcanoes and mountains near the horizon). The sheer white is perfect for fun pictures, when not looking through the camera sunglasses are a must. A stop at Isla Pescado (Fish Island -named for the discovery of fossil remains of a fish) just added to our visual delight. Amidst a white sea there stood a patch of land containing these huge cactus. Eating lunch with incredibly scenery and sunny sky spotted with brilliant white clouds, we started to forget that we had just arrived to the region at 8:30am after a 10.5 hour overnight bus ride (6 of which was over unpaved road).

By the time we settled at a small Bolivian town for the night, it was quite clear the need for such a rugged overland vehicles. Roads (more like paths) were of all dirt (the good ones) but at other times scattered with rocks or covered by water.

Day 2: A region of colors. This day consisted of multiple photo stops throughout the Andes highlands on the Southwestern edge of Bolivia. Stops included: landscapes of huge red lava boulders, Mountain of 7 colors, sand dunes, volcanoes (some still active), Andes fauna ( Mike spotted a Condor and a viscacha and we saw many guanaco as well as llamas), but our personal favorite, lagoons of varying colors, some of which contained flamingos!!! Three types of flamingos live in the region but to our untrained eye it was difficult to differentiate. Also, these birds are relatively shy, as we tried to sneak up for good photos inevitably they would start walking further away.

However, seeing these birds framed by mountains and in temperatures that required us to wear multiple layers, hats, and gloves, completely dispels the preconceived notion that they are only in the tropics. This night our group packs together in a shared room of 6 single beds and solar powered electricity (this means limited use). However, having 6 in a room was convenient b-c temperatures here notoriously reach -2 F. Our guide stated he thought the temperature was about 18Fat night, so we were lucky. Remember that these places ARE NOT HEATED and faucets run only cold water. Lets just say we did little to wash up, going to the toilet was quick, and we went to sleep in our sleeping bags with layers including hats and mittens. On a positive note, our guides included wine with our spaghetti dinner (lets just say the Italian couples ate little this night).

Day 3: At 5:00 in the morning it is very difficult to get out of bed, especially when leaving the warmth of the previous night´s cocoon means facing the dark temperatures of a day who has yet to see sun. But we are on the road by 5:30 so that we could stop at geysers viewed in dawning light and brave our first bath of 3 weeks in an outdoor thermal pool (delightfully hot) at freezing temperatures, all before breakfast. Taking the plunge into the thermal pool gleaned respect from other onlooking tourists as we peeled off layer, after layer, until we were down to garments that later in the day could be done without.

A day of lots of driving allowed me to read between stops at the following highlights: Viewing mountains and volcanoes from Argentina, Bolivia, and Chili from 1 spot, additional lagoons (the one of particular interest was green), more rock formations, and my favorite the Lagoona Colorada (a red lagoon decorated with spots of pink flamingo groups outlined by a white salty shore and mountains). Back to Uyuni just in time to catch our overnight bus back to La Paz. On the bus ride back we reflected on what an amazing experience this detour into Bolivia held and reinforced our reason for traveling.

August 12th & 13th
Welcome to Bolivia!

August 14th - 16th
Bolivian Salt Flats

August 17th - 18th
Relaxing in Copacabana

August 19th - 20th
Isla del Sol