Friday, April 6, 2012

The big goodbye Chile

..... well nearly




just wanted note that our moderate hotel, Takha Takha, was great at half the price of Poblado Kimal

Location:SP

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Chile does have its perqs

Can't tell you how good this tastes



Location:Tocopilla,San Pedro de Atacama,Chile

Final leg back to Chile

With the shortened schedule we were surprised when Valerio held to plan and detoured to Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca. Bird free.

Then to the border where there was an a noticeable absence oh Chilean drivers waiting for us.

New Bol border dude tries to shake us down for 50 bols. BS - I refused and the dude gave up. Nice try.

The V-man whips out the sat phone and puts in a call back to Doris at control in Uyuni. Juan (Miguel's dad) shows after 45 mins and we think our troubles are over until we get back to the edge of SP and the 70minute line at Chilean immigration.

Now resting at our more modest accommodation in SP. planning dinner.


Location:Caracoles,San Pedro de Atacama,Chile

OMG

We were about 40mind south of the hotel, just finished a (nother) quick wind eroded rock tour when James has. Passport Moment(tm). The woman at the hotel desk never returned his passport last night.
All said and done no biggie as we took a 56minute hit to return and pick up the goods. A little worry as we have a hard time set to meet the Chilean driver at the border. At either 12pm 1pm or 2pm never was sure

But now back to our fave place Laguna Colorada for some flamenco action



Pretty amazing place - this snap is pathetic. Wait for ones from the cameras

One more stop at the geysers



Abs we hitting it hard to the border

Final day

Great hotel last night but it's high. I noticed one of the heavy drinking Chec photo tour group was sucking on the big O2 tank in the lobby as I left to take early morning pics


Quite a spectacular situation as we made our early 7:30am start



yup - about 7 colours

4/4 today's stats

Up high tonight at 4522m






4/4 Wed. Passports and Visas

First thing on agenda is to get Bolivian visas. And to town we go. Dude who checked us in at the border two days ago is here. Hand shakes all round. US dollars don't seem attractive so a quick walk and we shake an ATM down for 2000 bolivianos to cover the 945 each fee. All smiles and many stamps later we are on our way. But first buy some bananas and swing by to see/meet Doris of the RutaVerde agency. Great concern for our welfare and happiness.

Then we are off to San Cristobal. Not sure why. Moving on, lunch was a roadside affair


after a confusing attempt to drop off 100L of gasoline to one of Valerio's friends

Then on to some small flamingo-free lagoons before hitting the Valley of Rocks - wind eroded strangeness - and on to the final fantastic laguna full of flamingoes. By now we are back up at 13k+ and it's too cold for shorts and wading in freezing water. All worthwhile though from a photographic point of view.
The scenery has become stunning again and we finally see "7 color mountain" (no kidding) and our hotel for the night, Tayka Desierto. Like the 1st night terrific hotel, even more stunning situation. Good dinner, winner of best soup (quinoa) of trip award.
Today's drive










Location:Uyuni Bolivia