Salar de Uyuni - Adventures in Bolivia

As the sun rises over the volcano, we wave goodbye to San Pedro de Atacama and set off towards the Bolivian border. Once we pass through Customs, we clamber aboard our 4x4 jeep, ready to set off on a three-day journey through desert and salt flats. Inside our jeep we have Adam, Helene, Marie, Daniel & myself (the original five from Salta) and also two new recruits - Jonas from Brazil, and José our Bolivian driver. There are two other jeeps from the same company (Cordillera) filled with like-minded tourists who we get to know over the course of the next three days.

Brushstrokes across the sky

Day 1: Laguna Verde, Sol de Manana (volcanic geyser), hot springs & card games

Dancing for joy!

Our transportation for the next three days

The ever changing colours of Laguna Verde

Laguna Verde

Reflections

I just cannot choose between these pictures!

Flamingos, close-up

Marie and Helene gliding

Pretty picture

Pimpin' our ride

Paula & Kelly, the Brazilians

Geysers (smelly & dangerous) - 4,900 metres, difficult to breath!

Crazy-coloured bubbling liquid

After lunch, a dip in a HOT thermal bath

Blue skies above......

Look it's Laguna Colorado and the sky is turning a distinctive shade of cobalt

Snowy, the llama

and her  little'in, awww!

Hard to believe how dramatically the sky has changed (see earlier pictures)

Happily grazing

Contrasts, cracks and clouds

Birdie, name unknown

First night's accommodation (very basic, no showers)

I make friends with this little fellow (cook's son) and dog who live at the hostel

Oscar

Marie & cutsie little doggie-woggie

Playing the card game "President"
The boys in deep discussion (l-R: Jonas, Adam, Daniel)

Day 2: A very long and bumpy drive with volcanoes, more lagunas & arrival at The Salt Hotel

Bright & early chewing coca leaves (to ease the altitude sickness)

Head-massage with Ollague Volcano in the background

Team Go-Go!!
Climbing on the random rocks in the Valley of Salvador Dali

Inspiration for Dali

Fields of Quinoa

Lunch by another Laguna (name?)

Marie up to mischief (as usual!)

Freddie the Flamingo

Interesting shades of sand

Interior of The Salt Hotel

Day 3: The long awaited Salar de Uyuni. 12,000kms of salt desert stretches as far as the eye can see, blindingly white and like nothing I have ever seen. We have a great afternoon, and get a little too over-enthusiastic with the photograph taking (but it is so much fun!)....here are a few of my favourites.

The approach....what a sight!

Jumping for joy!!  

Martial Arts

Helene V Marie

I just can't get him off my back!

He has got me Riverdancing in the palm of his hand!

Busting some moves on the world's largest dancefloor

Fish Island - giant cacti

"Ireland, Ireland, together standing tall...."

Freedom!

I practice my "Upward facing dog"

This one deserves the prize for originality!

Spot the Angel & the Devil on Jonas' shoulder?

Train cemetery

We arrive back to the small town of Uyuni, book in for a nights accomodation and enjoy a nice, hot "no-more than 7 minute" shower. Nothing to see or do in Uyuni if the truth be told...however, we do find a bar called "Extreme Fun"!

Main Square, Uyuni
"Extreme Fun"!
We find a group of talented (Irish) muscians & join in the sing-song
Beach-theme sing-song at Extreme Fun!
Salud!

The following morning, we say goodbye to Daniel, Jonas, Kelly and Paula who are all in rush to get to La Paz due to time constraints.  The rest of the gang are keen to relax in Sucre for a couple of days, before contending with the hustle and bustle of the capital. Unfortunately my partner in crime, Marie has been struck-down with food poisoning and is not feeling up for travelling today. Once we are sure that she is comfortable and that she is in the caring hands of the lady at the hostal, Adam, Helene and myself catch the bus to Sucre and make a plan to reunite in a couple of days.