ari&andrew-aroundtheworld

So I forgot to mention in the last blog about the other Tucan truck we came across in Salta. They were supposed to stay at the campsite that was under renovation so they had also been moved to the same campsite as us. The were travelling in the opposite direction as us & some of them had been on tour for over a month but for the others it was their first night in the tent. Now, I don't claim to be a camper but I can tell you that when this other group arrived I turned into the biggest camping expert in the world! Ok, so the tents come from the 80's. You know? The triangle tents complete with tent pegs & poles inside the tent. We were lying on the ground having our movie night when they arrived & they had the priviledge of erecting their tents right in front of us. The Aussie couple closest to us weren't too bad but the rest of the group were an absolute disgrace. The worst were a couple of girls who, when offered help, snottily responded with "We know how to do it!". Over 2 hours later they gave up & went to bed in a strangely lopsided & not too water proof tent...all we had to hope for was some rain!



Anyway, back to Uyuni! As I said previously, we were in Uyuni to see the Salt Flats. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't the greatest day for me tummy wise but the place still made quite an impression. First stop was the salt factory.....huh? Who would have thought they would actually use the salt for stuff! After the salf factory we stopped at a small market area where I was even too sick to buy knitwear! We did however have time for a spot of Coca tea. Cocoa tea is the stuff that all the locals swear by to help with altitude sickness (Uyuni is at an altitude of 3,670m) & an array of other illnesses....I was hoping it was herbal version of Imodium myself :) We also got to check out a hotel made entirely out of salt - called the Salt Hotel....go figure! The main reason for the visit however were the Cactus & Fish Islands. Both within eyesight of each, the former covered in giant cactuses & the latter shaped like a fish....apparantly!

Photo: Work your magic coca tea!!

Photo: Probably not a great idea on a dodgy tummy :)

Photo: Salt.......everywhere!!

It is here that we had lunch & a walk around the island. Well, I didn't but everyone else did. I sat in the shade & waited for everyone to get back....& tried not throw up....or worse. I was joined by one of the other girls, Jo, & the Tour leader who were both in the same boat as me. After about an hour, Jo & I both felt well enough to make the short climb to the first lookout. It was an easy climb, maybe 20 steps but obviously it was too much for my delicate constitution cos once I got to the top I promtly threw up 3 times (nearly on Jo) & had to rush back down to the toilet. Sorry Jo!!

Photo: Before vomit......don't worry, there's no after shot!!

Then it was out onto the salt flats for the silly photos that everyone takes (see below for examples).

Photo: Go "The Animal"!!

Photo: Mmmmm....nutella!

Once it was time to leave, we had a 2 hour journey back across the salf flats to the train graveyard. A group of trains, stored on tracks & slowly rusting away. You could climb all over them & they made for some spectacular sunset shots...but of course, I stayed in the car, flat on my back, trying not to disgrace myself again. Sorry Jo!!

Photo: Train graveyard



The hotel could not come quick enough, so it was straight to bed for me. The next morning we headed back to Potosi for the night & the following day it was time for La Paz.....& the site of our next big challenge - Death Road Mountain Bike Ride....Aaarrrrgggghhhh!!!