Spectacular Salar de Uyuni

South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Uyuni
May 22nd 2015

Published: May 23rd 2015

It was another early start, for a three-day trip overland through the Salt Flats to Uyuni in Bolivia. This time it was us who weren't ready - I had misunderstood the instructions at the tour company and thought that we were being picked up at 7.30 in order for us to have breakfast first. So we were in the dining room just about to start breakfast when the van turned up. We grabbed as much food as ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 91, Displayed: 21

24th May 2015

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Bolivia
OK...road less traveled.

25th May 2015

RJT
Rachael

Yes, I was glad of the four-wheel drive that's for sure!

24th May 2015

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Wow!
Loving following your South American adventures! Your photos are amazing... keep them coming :)

24th May 2015

RJT
Rachael

There is a couple of weeks left, so far I'm loving it!

24th May 2015

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Breathless
I can't even remember my Spanish so I'll say it in English. You have excelled yourself Rachael...fabulous pics. Mind you with such stunning scenery it ain't hard! Coming from Atacama in Chile into Bolivia by the back door was a master stroke. Also pleased you went a different route to us so you haven't taken most of my pics when I get around to blogging this part of paradise. Continue to have a blast...and looking forward to getting together when you get back to Oz.

24th May 2015

RJT
Rachael

You're right, hard to take a bad photo here. I am eagerly awaiting your blog post and photos.... Yes, I will arrange a catch up you both when I'm back, it's been too long!

24th May 2015

RJT
Rachael

You're right, hard to take a bad photo here. I am eagerly awaiting your blog post and photos.... Yes, I will arrange a catch up you both when I'm back, it's been too long!

24th May 2015

Jackie
non-member comment

The scenery is very moonscape like, very crisp. I am not sure about the 2 loos and the 1 shower though. Perhaps it is good that it is very cold. Jonty doing amazingly well.

24th May 2015

RJT
Rachael

I didn't use the shower! Yes incredible scenery. I spoke to Jonty and Susannah last night. Seems like they are doing very well.

25th May 2015

That green stuff looks like moss but is actually hard like stone

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Great adventure and photos!
Good for you, translator--you'll soon be speaking like a native! I was also the translator for my French-speaking group, which was pretty tricky. Love that you got to see flamingos! That hard, green stuff in this photo is Yareta (or Llareta), a plant that grows only 1-2 centimeters a year. Some of these plants are 3,000 years old. In the high puno of the treeless Andes, it's traditionally been used for fuel, but in Bolivia, it's becoming extinct due to overuse. Here in Peru, there's more of it, and it makes a great, hot fire for ceremonies. Enjoy La Paz!

25th May 2015

RJT
Rachael

Yareta
Thanks Tara, I wasn't sure what its proper name was. I was quite fascinated by it, as although it looked like moss it was hard like wood. So far I am enjoying La Paz, a little breathless, but it's a great little city.

25th May 2015

SkiSet
The Ds

Vicunas
Hi Rachael, Have been enjoying your latest blogs which have brought back many fond memories of our visit to South America several years ago. Vicunas ... your guide was right. Farmers can own alpacas and llamas but, vicunas are protected and cannot be owned. However, their wool can be "farmed" and sold by any farmer - being a case of first in, best dressed - so to speak. :). Vicunas wool is of the highest quality, the most expensive, and the most sought after. When we were in South America in 2010, the going rate then was around USD$800-900 per kilo on the world market! Loved the photo of the toilet :) (as well as the spectacular scenery) I can understand the need for diagrams. The practice of actually putting the paper into the toilet is unique in most of Central and South America - as mostly, that's what those little baskets or containers are for in most toilets - a practice I could NEVER get used to. :) Jan

25th May 2015

RJT
Rachael

Vicunas
Hi Jan, that's really interesting, I didn't know too much about vicunas, in fact hadn't even heard of them prior to this trip. As for the toilet paper, I had an unfortunate incident regarding a flooded toilet last time I was here five years ago so it's something that is now well ingrained!!

27th May 2015

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Magnificent
Beautiful

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