Sunday, August 30, 2009

So much sal!!!

Arrived in Uyuni around 2am ... piled into a taxi – all 6 of us, 5 big bags, 4 backpacks.... (Hey this is Bolivia isn't it.) and then checked into a hotel ... across the road from the Bolivian Army Barracks .. so NO FOTOS there – in fact signs all around the hotel warn people against taking photos in the military zone.

Zac has a great rapport with hotel and restaurant staff so we were treated to a superb breakfast ... even brought out the large jar of vegemite for us. We had a tour of the salt flats booked, so around 10.30am we headed out in a 4-wheel drive – 6 of us, a driver and a cook ... lunch was provided.


Stopped at a small village on the edge of the salt flat ... explanation of their process for drying and packaging salt – all done by hand, and a look around a few market stalls – few salt carved products which were interesting. Wonder how they will stand up to a bit of humidity.

Next stop was a train cemetery ... not sure of the history, but there was talk about Butch Cassidy county.

Now for a drive out onto the salt flat ... which is so much smoother than the rough dirt road we had driven on to get there. But why would you keep driving further out into the salt flat (I thinks to meself ... afterall it{s all the same). But keep driving we did ... miles. Then we stopped for a photo shoot ... well playing around on the salt flat.... now this was more like it. May have to wait for the best of those pics ... they are still on Zac{s camera. (oops... I am on a Spanish keyboard in and Internet Cafe .. no wifi in our hotel, sadly)
From Peru - 2009


Then we kept driving... to an island in the salt. Looked as deserted as the rest ... had only seen a few vehicles ... but around the back of the island... and it was like being on Fraser ... lots of 4-wheel drives all parked up to the island ... and loads of people sitting at picnic tables ... made from salt.

It wasn{t long until our picnic was ready too and we sat down to chicken and salad, which we followed up with a walk around the island, more photos with HUGE cactus plants ... then more playing around on the salt.

It was another amazing, amazing day ... and so much more than had expected. Just like every other day.

More to write about our next adventure ... we are in La Paz now ... and there{s lots to go and look at so more will have to wait until later.... Bye.

3 comments:

Sophie said...

A pyramid!!!!!! Haven't seen one of those in the Lanham camp for quite some time... Not since Lac was small enough to be the top-man.

lac said...

i'm still small enough to be on top!!!

The Malone's said...

What a great photo Lex and judy. Family pyramids - that's a great idea - might just give tat one a go ourselves though as the kids are nearly as big as us - it could be asking for medical trouble.