Four days through Bolivian south west to Uyuni

Tour through south west to uyuni, Bolivia

After two comfortable days in the swimming pool hotel we set off on a four wheel drive adventure.We were told the other couple had been delayed so Dave took the chance to go for a quick walk to the cross on a nearby hilltop. Some locals directed me up a very rocky litter marked path. Eventually reached the top and a great view. Very steep and crumbly coming down and I fell and twisted my knee. Luckily it was OK till I got back to the hotel but mighty sore afterwards. Luckily we were sitting in a Nissan Patrol for the next four days. Christian and Katya shared the car with Marco our driver.

Dirt road up big hills with great rock formations. Really scary road and then the local bus came the other way from San Antonio the place we were going to stay.Amazing that an old bus could get along the road. Little mining camps along the way and grand scenery.Room at San Antonio simple but clean and comfy. Town has 250 people and big snowy mts at back. Young lad from house plays a changuro? and sings in Spanish and Quechua.

Off at 7am next day. Old spanish gold mining town in middle of hills. Had 5000 people in 1600s. Big snowy mts then sunny desert spot for lunch. Paintings on rocks including hands of the devil.

Road a very vague track through many rocks.Laguna de colores with lots of flamingos. Up to 5000m and the geysers. Bubbling pools really. Katya has altitude trouble headache and unwell. We have all been chewing coca leaves all day and luckily the rest of us are OK.

Maybe 100 people at hostel. Although at 4300m it becomes warm during night. It was cold when we went to bed. Strange as this had happened previous night.
Up at 6 and beautiful sun. Hostel in desert surrounded by big snowy mts which looked like you could walk up.

Road past rock formations then across big high desert. No signs since we started and Marco knew the way through many junctions and very rough tracks. Lovely sunny lake with lots of flamingoes. We had also seen loads of llamas, some ostriches , kiwis and little rabbit like things.Over big grassy area with high mts again. Laguna negra with ducks then big storm just as we finish lunch

Weather and scenery kept changing but always dramatic. Red hot and blue skies or black skies and rain. Rain stopped us going to hotel on salt plain.Instead to Uyuni and a rough hostel with no water in dirty toilets. Uyuni is at 3600m and very dusty and windy. Amazing spread of rubbish for miles around town. We think the rubbish trucks drive to edge of town and let rubbish blow where it will.
The highlight of Uyuni is the cemetry of trains. About 30 steam trains rotting away on a rail track about 3kms away. Sain to have been there since 1950.

As we walk back to hostel from bus area a dust storm comes through. As it is just before dark very dramatic.

Up at 4am on last day. Drive onto Salt Bed Salar y Yuni for sun rise. Salt for miles lots covered in water. Becomes hot sun as Katya ballet dances and takes lots of photos with Chris. Salt hotel interesting being built of salt blocks. Last lunch with a glass of wine.

Unable to get bus to Potosi in afternoon so move into a very nice hotel with a bath and lots of hot water. Recommended by Detlev who we meet in the street.
We have been impressed by the four wheel drive going over rough tracks for 100s kms