At the border leaving Chile it took one and a half hours to do all the formalities. It was noticeable that the border line was demarcated by a dirt road at the Chile side and a sealed road up to the Bolivian border post. It took another 30 minutes getting through the Bolivian border then the road went back to a very poor dirt road requiring us to have to wear seatbelts for the next two days due to the condition of the road. Once across the border the time changed, the clocks being put forward by one hour.
From the border on we had a guide on the truck as there were to cross the altiplano, which is an extensive area of high plateau with no road signs and more than one track/road leading in the same direction. During this drive we were over 5000 metres high going over one mountain.
On the way we stopped at the Laguna Colorada, the red colour of which is caused by red sediments and pigmentation of some algae.
Nearing Villa Mar we then stopped at the Laguna Capina.
Reaching the village of Villa Mar quite late we stayed in the Villa Mar Hostel with many others who we had seen during the day passing us in the tour 4-wheel drive vehicles. Because of the pounding the truck had taken during the day a couple of us helped the driver, Tanya, to do some urgent repairs to some of the side locker doors, enough it was hoped to get us to the next stop, Uyuni. The whole village looked to be all hostels for people on their way yo Uyuni judging by the number of 4-wheel drive vehicles parked about the place.
Setting off early the following morning we stopped at the Black Lake at 4000 metres altitude, the Balje De Rocas (Bowl of Rocks) and a pool with a number of flamingoes before arriving at the Hotel Tonito in Uyuni. This was quite an up-market hotel for us as the rooms had thick toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner and a sink plug. You cannot imagine what these little luxuries mean to us travellers and they certainly made a talking point for all.
Views of the Black Lake and surrounding area
Views on the road
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| The Bolivian Border Post |
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| Volcanoes around us again |
From the border on we had a guide on the truck as there were to cross the altiplano, which is an extensive area of high plateau with no road signs and more than one track/road leading in the same direction. During this drive we were over 5000 metres high going over one mountain.
On the way we stopped at the Laguna Colorada, the red colour of which is caused by red sediments and pigmentation of some algae.
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| The Laguna Colorada |
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| The Laguna Colorada (taken from the internet) |
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| Seems to be asking why we were there |
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| Laguna Capina |
Nearing Villa Mar we then stopped at the Laguna Capina.
Reaching the village of Villa Mar quite late we stayed in the Villa Mar Hostel with many others who we had seen during the day passing us in the tour 4-wheel drive vehicles. Because of the pounding the truck had taken during the day a couple of us helped the driver, Tanya, to do some urgent repairs to some of the side locker doors, enough it was hoped to get us to the next stop, Uyuni. The whole village looked to be all hostels for people on their way yo Uyuni judging by the number of 4-wheel drive vehicles parked about the place.
Setting off early the following morning we stopped at the Black Lake at 4000 metres altitude, the Balje De Rocas (Bowl of Rocks) and a pool with a number of flamingoes before arriving at the Hotel Tonito in Uyuni. This was quite an up-market hotel for us as the rooms had thick toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner and a sink plug. You cannot imagine what these little luxuries mean to us travellers and they certainly made a talking point for all.
Views of the Black Lake and surrounding area
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Llamas and donkey near a lake |
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Flamingoes at a pool |
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Views of Balje De Rocas (You are supposed to imagine what the rock formations look like-a parrot perhaps) |
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| The truck group |
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| To show how the rock is worn. It looked as if the rock is made up of different parts, some softer than others, and the weather causes the odd wear pattern. |
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| The green vegetation in the middle is used as a medicine, a poultice, for putting on fires and pieces have a lovely smell |
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