Day 38 - Salt Flats and High Spirits

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As a group we persuaded each other it was the right thing to do to get up for sunrise on the salt flats, although Sophie took some persuading that a 5am wake up call was a good idea! We were right though, as the moon on one side and sunrise on the other were sights to behold!

From our sunrise vantage point, surrounded by the white salt flats, we could see Isla del Pescado, our first stop and first indication of perspective... what looked about 2km away was in fact 20km. A true indication of just how big the 12,000 square km salt flats are at their altitude of 3660m. Isla del Pescado rises out of the 26m deep salt flats and is effectively coral, apparently the perfect breeding ground for giant cactus, the tallest of which was 9m making it 900 years old! Cacti and rocks also provided the perfect playground for Gilles, who climbed a cactus in search of the perfect picture (putting me to shame)! After which he pulled thorns from his hand and arm! I'm sure worth it for the facebook profile pic! Our more civilised approach still captured the amazing scenery in several snapshots.

Our next stop was Hotel de Sal, now effectively a museum after the Bolivian government ordered all salt hotels (bar this one) moved block by block off the salt flats. The lack of eco-friendly facilities meant that previously they had been polluting and ruining the salt flats. This was also the sight of a 2 hour photo session on the salt flats. Our trigger happy fingers clicked away as we tried to master the perspective at the same time as getting our pictures in focus. Our original attempts left something to be desired but after Etsun our guide got involved we started to crack out some masterpieces. We had a number of props with us, but by far the best photos are those involving people. See the pics!

We definitely didn't want to leave when we were moved on, despite having outlasted many other groups. Our time on the salt flats at an end, we had definitely enjoyed the crossing but totally could have spent longer on the blinding white salt flats.

One last stop at a market on the way to Uyuni before arriving in the town we had believed to be quiet, to discover a full on street market occupying the main road, our drop off point! We left our bags in the Colque tour office and after thanking Etsun and saying goodbye to the others, Sophie, Taryn and I headed off to get cash and lunch - pizza in Arco Iris on the main square. I treated myself to a "Uyunese", llama pizza... delicious! After lunch we took some time to jump on the net and start updating our overdue blog. We were surprised to find Katie, our friend from the flight to South America adventure that we had run across Madrid airport with and shared a taxi with in BA. She had caught up with her travelling friend Alice and had changed their plans, ending up in the same place as us; not on the cards 37 days earlier. We arranged to meet up that evening at Minuteman pizzas near the train station. Apparently the best pizza in South America, and so far I'm not sure I'd argue! Two pizzas in one day... healthy diet! After dinner Sophie, Taryn and I headed off to our new hotel (Girasoles) ... amazing for the price considering some of the others we have already stayed in. The girls were definitely excited by the full on power shower and flushing toilet. On getting into bed, we all had a very decent night's sleep.

How Sophie Sees It

Definitely could have spent more time at the salt flats, and even considered coming back the next day, especially after seeing the cool photos on the walls of Minuteman pizza (at which I also had a llama pizza, yum!)

Could not believe we bumped into Katie from the airport, not only that, but she told us she'd come across our blog when she'd Googled Patagonia for tips on where to go!

I was feeling much better today after cracking out the altitude sickness pills, but kept getting breathless at mealtimes - to Chris and Taryn's amusement. They told me to stop waffling and pipe down!

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Comments

[Ian Dellbridge]

I'm getting hungry just remembering the Minuteman pizzas. Don't get me wrong, the salt flats were amazing too. But the pizzas. Mmm...