Life, Love & the Pursuit of a Dreamy Landscape (Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia)
Maybe I saw it first on Instagram or on some photography website but however it happened, Salar de Uyuni occupies a high spot on my wanderlist. But even with all the pictures I have seen, I am not prepared for how amazing it will be in person. So here is my photo homage to this photographer’s paradise.
Ok let’s go with some background first: In the antiplano (high plateau) of the Andes, a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchín, dries up and leaves behind Salar de Uyni. Though Aymaran/Bolivian legend credits the formation to Volcan Tunupa’s tears (seen in the background). And it is here, in the southwestern corner of Bolivia, near the borders with Chile and Argentina, that I come to the world’s largest salt flat at 4,633 sq miles (12,000 sq km) and containing an estimated 10 billion tons of salt at an altitude of 11,985 ft (3,653m).
There are many warnings on Internet forums and in guidebooks about the dangers of drunk and reckless tour drivers. So I take the advice from two friends that have just completed their tour quite recently to book with Red Planet Expedition. So Thursday morning and when everyone back home is celebrating Thanksgiving, I am grateful for Daniel, our great driver. The guy that doesn’t like reggaeton but will find some and play it because we had requested it and has excellent taste in music and provides an incredible soundtrack for the amazing journey.
FIRST DAY: 
First stop is a graveyard to see the first trains in Bolivia L: Skeleton on a car TR: Train swing! BR: The many defunct locomotives and the many people on tours
Afterwards, we head to the small village of Colchani and L: visit a family run factory and R: see the rustic way of table salt production. 
Dakar Rally is a rally raid: off road endurance race that used to be from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal but due to security concerns was moved to South America in 2009. 
The salt flats TL: Piles of salt mined then set out to dry in pyramids of salt TR: Upclose look at the hexagonal and pentagonal formations M: Reflecting on how big it really is BL & BR: The middle of the salt where we stop to take pictures with the huge perspective (where people looks so tiny and funny) and a cool panoramic photo[wpvideo 1lJ9eUOY] This video really does sum the Uyuni: the endless and blindingly white expanse of the salt flats, the Landcruiser in the distance changing a tire, the never-ending procession of tour vehicles and everyone working on those popular perspective shots
After lunch, we head to the central point of the salt flat which is the Isla Incahuasi (fish island) and see the giant cacti and the coral rock formation. We hike up the island and are rewarded with a spectacular view of the white salt flats, the surrounding mountains and the sky…and marvel at the long and crazy shadows cast. 
We stop at what Robert, our guide, calls TL: the eyes of the salt – big holes in the salt flat where the water from underneath the salt flat still comes out by high pressure when salt is mined TR: As I am wondering if this stop was constructed just for tourists, a truck comes to load the salt BL: Fun with shadows BR: Sunset silhouettes captured by Robert 
T: Nice part about sitting shotgun – really cool sunset shots BL & BR: Salt hostel with furniture and floor made from salt
SECOND DAY
TL & TR: First stop of the day B: Through the river in the Landcruisers 
TL & TR: Llamas & alpacas up close BL: Towards the border with Chile and where we learn about some of the contentious history between the two countries BR: This lichen is so dense that it can be used as firewood 
We continue heading south and stop off at T & BL & BR: a few different Andean antiplanic lagoons where flamingos number in the hundreds – water colors differ due to different chemical combinations 
TL: And we head farther south through the Siloli desert at 14,600 feet (4550 m) high TR: Colorful, rainbow mountains BL: Famous Árbol de Piedra (Stone tree) is about 21 ft (7 m) tall and is made primarily of sandstone shaped by strong winds BR: Large and funky shaped red rocks set in a dry mountainous area – lots of the day reminded me of home but nowhere more than here 
TL: We are so excited we finally made it to Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon)! BL & BM: The water gets that coloring from a specific type of algae and sedimentation that is offset nicely with the white islands made of borax. TR & MR & BR: More flamingos and some llamas 
We then head to the top of a big volcano called Sol de Mañana 16,502 ft (5030 m) high where in the crater, we see the fumaroles and boiling mad pots (volcanic activity 100 Cº hot) 
We head to our accommodations for the night and witness a T: beautiful sunset. One of the coolest experiences I had in South America was that night at the hot springs. I enjoy the crisp, cold air while gazing up at the stars and then watching the full moon rise over the horizon with my friends from Canada, Germany, Sweden, Australia & Bolivia.
THIRD DAY
B: I arise early and am glad that I do to take in the lovely sunrise and enjoy some pancakes with dulce de leche
The short day starts with us visiting the Salvador Dali Desert (small colourful nice desert) as seen in the photos above. 
We go to the Laguna Verde, T: this lagoon is a spectacular emerald green due to deposits of lead, magnesium, sulfur, and arsenic. Forming a perfect backdrop is the inactive, snow-capped Licancabur Volcano (5,868m). The volcano straddles the Chile-Bolivia border, with the summit and (frozen) crater lake entirely within Chile. B: Last look at the colorful mountains
One of the other reasons why I opt for the three day tour is that San Pedro de Atacama, Chile is now only an hour bus ride away (and prearranged with Red Planet). Even though the tour has just ended, I am already planning on coming back during the rainy season to get some mirrored effect photos. I just hope that the massive lithium reserves found here don’t alter the landscape before I can return…
Wonderful site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get opinions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and internet and this is really irritating. A good web site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thank you for keeping this website, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
Wow! Thank you! I permanently wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I implement a part of your post to my site?
Some really interesting details you have written.Helped me a lot, just what I was looking for : D.
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specifically the ultimate phase 🙂 I take care of such information a lot. I used to be looking for this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
I view something truly special in this web site.
Yay google is my world beater helped me to find this outstanding internet site! .
Whats up! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the great data you’ve got right here on this post. I might be coming back to your weblog for more soon.
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Great blog here! Also your web site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Thank you, I have just been looking for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve found out so far. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the source?
I’ve been browsing online more than three hours as of late, but I never found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is beautiful value enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the internet can be much more helpful than ever before. “Dreams have as much influence as actions.” by Stephane Mallarme.
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my blog?
Rattling good visual appeal on this site, I’d value it 10 10.
I went over this web site and I believe you have a lot of superb info, saved to favorites (:.
I discovered your blog web site on google and verify a number of of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the excellent operate. I just extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Looking for ahead to studying extra from you later on!…
I am typically to running a blog and i really recognize your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for brand spanking new information.
F*ckin’ awesome things here. I’m very glad to peer your post. Thanks a lot and i am taking a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Terrific post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Many thanks!
Deference to op, some fantastic information .
I like this post, enjoyed this one thankyou for putting up.
Hello.This article was really remarkable, especially since I was investigating for thoughts on this subject last Friday.
I am glad to be one of several visitors on this outstanding website (:, regards for posting.
You can certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Definitely, what a fantastic site and informative posts, I will bookmark your site.All the Best!
This is the right blog for anybody who wants to seek out out about this topic. You understand a lot its nearly exhausting to argue with you (not that I really would want…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just nice!
I’ve recently started a web site, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I¦ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i am happy to show that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I such a lot no doubt will make certain to don¦t fail to remember this website and give it a look regularly.
I cling on to listening to the news speak about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the top site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i find some?
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
I was more than happy to find this web-site.I needed to thanks in your time for this glorious read!! I definitely having fun with every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
I reckon something genuinely special in this site.
Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.2
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
A large percentage of of the things you state happens to be supprisingly accurate and it makes me ponder why I hadn’t looked at this with this light before. This particular article really did switch the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject matter goes. But there is actually just one position I am not really too comfy with so while I try to reconcile that with the actual central theme of the issue, permit me see exactly what the rest of the subscribers have to say.Very well done.
Keep working ,fantastic job!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
Normally I do not read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very great post.
You have brought up a very fantastic details , thanks for the post.
Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Hi my family member! I want to say that this article is awesome, great written and include almost all important infos. I would like to look more posts like this .
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
I am continually invstigating online for tips that can aid me. Thank you!
Admiring the commitment you put into your site and detailed information you present. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.
Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, superb blog!
Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say that you’ve done a very good job with this. Also, the blog loads very fast for me on Chrome. Excellent Blog!
I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all significant infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Hey there, You have performed an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!
Glad to be one of many visitors on this awesome site : D.