Forgotten towns of Bolivia

After a sound night’s sleep, we started our day more refreshed, and start-time was not until 8 AM. But the best part was that we descended 4,000 feet, which made everything easier, the bit of hiking especially, and there was a lot of it. We started out visiting amazing rock formations.

This rock is called "World Cup"

Dan climbed "Camel Rock"

Mama is leading the troops at Laguna Catal

Next, we visited a most amazing canyon, then, only after a full day and a half, we reached our first town, a minute place that most would call God-forsaken, but which was amazing to see and witness in person. The small place seemed empty of people; we learned later that all the people are farmers or herders, and they are out in far-flung spots, tending to their llamas or their small quinoa plots.

Anaconda Canyon

Living on the edge

The cook at our lunch stop in the town of Villa Alota

The dusty, forsaken town of Villa Alota

Unlike in Chile, the desert here is more spectacular. There is much more greenery, but our driver tells us that during the winter months of June, July, and August, all the plants dry from the drought and the place becomes barren. In Summer though, there is a small amount of rainfall, which is sufficient to bring the place to life.

Whereas we only saw Vicuñas in Chile, traveling north in Bolivia, we saw a lot more llamas. Llamas are domestic animals, for the most part. Vicuñas, on the other hand are wild.

We took about an hour break at yet another town called Julaca. Same story here, the people were out and about the fields, but there were a couple of bars that cater to tourists like us, and it was a welcome break.

The town of Julaca

Leaving Julaca

She's probably heading to check on her llamas or to tend her small quinoa crop

Martin, our driver then took us to a mountain summit where amazingly huge saguaro-like cacti grow. Surprisingly they only grow here and nowhere else. They are hundreds of years old and truly stunning.

The town of San Agustin

Llamas herding in town

San Agustin's main square (only square)

Finally, we reached our hotel, it’s a very nice place, and for this area it would be 5-stars. The entire hotel is made of salt, even our beds, save for the mattress and sheets of course. Dinner was scrumptious.

All salt, well, almost.

Now, another 3:45AM wake-up call awaits us. We are heading to the world-famous Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world, and we are having breakfast at dawn there. However, there has been some rain falling tonight, which makes driving through the salt flat hazardous. I will report tomorrow. Buenas noches for now, we have to hit the sack.

P.S. You've already seen some photos of the Salar on facebook. We had no internet in Bolivia, so I'm taking advantage of being back in Chile, and while retracing our way back to Santiago, I'm posting the events of the past few days.