No we didn't forget to do this one, because of the picketers and protests on the roads down from La Paz, we decided to pop back into Bolivia from Salta to see the world renowned Salt Flats of Uyuni for ourselves. Going back into Bolivia from the world of Argentina was a shock to the system, but we eventually go to Tupiza and found a 4 day jeep trip, with overnight stops in little villages and even the 'Salt Hotel' for a very good price. So we were set!
Our companions for the 4 days were a guide, a cook and three Russians! Although they didn't speak English, their Spanish was perfect. So Maudie practiced all the time and I read books...and slept... 4 days is a long time in a LandCrusier!
There was so much of nothing out there, its hard to try and describe it. But the beauty is in the baron landscape, and the 100sqkm salt flats are perfect for some 'perspective' pictures... check them out!
What was cool - the stars without any light pollution, getting stuck in the sand and digging ourselves out, the salt beds at the salt hotel, the flamingos, the amazing coloured lakes, the wild sand, the 1200 year old cactus in the middle of the salt flats, the railway cemetery, the llamas eating algae from the thermal pool lake, the sunsets and the sunrises!
So we ended our trip in high spirits, if in need of a little exercise after all the sitting, and after a hot shower (the first and only in 4 days) life was good again.
We went back to Argentina and after an arduous border crossing (5 hours in a queue) and miss directed bus and 150kmph taxi driver at 2am, we made it back to Salta, Argentina. Slightly older, definitely wiser and without question of doubt more in love with Argentina than ever before.
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