Feeling "Alive" in the Andes!

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Spectacular, awe inspiring, incredible, beautiful; these are just a few words that come to mind after just finishing a three day drive through the Andes for a second time. This time it was from San Pedro de Atacama, northern Chile to Uyuni, Bolivia by 4x4. No pavement, just dirt roads only fit for a 4x4. Specifically Toyota Landcruisers; looks like Toyota has wrapped up Bolivia from what I saw. To try describe the trip would not do it justice, so I'll let the pics paint most of the thousand words. But I know that even they can't capture what I saw and felt

There were six of us and a driver in a Toyota landcruiser and we literally went up and over the Andes. Two great young Chilean couples, an Irishman and an excellent driver who kept us alive. When I say up, I mean up. We reached 5,000m on the first day alone! Luckily I was still acclimatized from Aconcagua. However, some people were not feeling some good because of the quick ascent.

Besides the fact that is was very, very cool 4x4'ing over the Andes, the sights were unbelievable. We visited red, green, black, and blue lagunas, all filled with pink flamingos; a hot spring; gysers; strange rock formations; and the largest salt flats in the world at Salar de Uyuni! Oh and did I mention we were 4x4'ing through the incredibly beautiful Andes mountain range!

These past three days were truly amazing and I can honesty say made me feel "Alive" in the Andes!

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