The Salt Flats

At last we had made it to the famous Salar de Uyuni - this biggest salt flats in the world.  Up at 4:30am so we could see the sun rise.

Gorgeous pre-dawn colours

Longest shadows ever

After the sun rise photos it was time to head on to Isla Incahuasi, an outcropping of rock and cactuses in the middle of the salt flats.

Photos can't do justice to the vastness of the salt flats, though Ben did try.  We had breakfast where the island meets the flats; a special last breakfast that included a heart shaped cake (Bolivian food, you continue to baffle me).  Back in the jeep to pick a spot for the traditional silly salt flat photos.

Flying salt

The salt forms geometric patterns that stretch away forever

Little did we know about the dangers of the salt flats

Like the crazy tricks perspective can play . . .

. . . who knew we had a scale model of our jeep?

Finally the fun was over and we headed to Uyuni, stopping for a look in the original salt hotel (not very exciting) and then at the salt mines.

Outside the salt hotel, Mario and Anna.
Looked in vain for a NZ flag.

The salt mines.
The salt is piled up and allowed to dry, before being bagged and shipped off.

We were then forced to visit another market, selling more stuff we didn't want.  Ah, South America, why do all tours make you stop in markets?

Lunch in Uyuni was followed by an epic 5hr return drive to Tupiza on dusty, windy gravel roads.  Yet again we were very happy to have Mario as our driver; there were some tight, sharp corners with fearsome drops.  Ben did see his life flash before his eyes when we suddenly veered off the road, down what he thought was a sheer drop -  luckily there was a shortcut track down that he couldn't see.  Mario's driving was so smooth that I was able to read in the back all the way home - I never thought I'd be able to do that.  The sight of our hotel, complete with pool and hot showers, was very welcome.

The four day tour of South West Bolivia was spectacular.  We covered 1208km, all bar about 10km was off road or on unsealed roads.  There was a lot of time spent in the car, and my short legs were a big advantage.  The incredible sights we saw more than made up for some passing discomfort and the salt flats themselves defy description.