South Western BOLIVIA

THIS my friends, is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.

The worlds largest salt flats -- the Salar de Uyuni (salt lakes of Uyuni) is 12,000 sq km at an altitude of 3,653m.... Do you realize how big this is? It took us about 45 minutes just to cross the salt lake (driving at a speed of about 80km per hour). Salt...nothing but salt! Roughly in the middle of the lake (which is dry right now but at times covered under water), is Isla de los Pescadores (Fish Island) which is over-grown with amazingly beautiful giant cacti. Further on we saw many lakes in the desert-like environment -- many lakes sporting several bird species of which most notably the James species of flamingoes. Saw some Llamas, Vicuñas (cousin of the Llama), and long tailed rodents related to Chinchillas.

The second night we slept next to Laguna Colorado (or Red Lake) with tens of flamingoes. What a sight! The thin air was reallly cold...down to about -10 celsius so we had a cuddle up to stay warm!

The next day we spent time at Sol de Mañana with its geyser basin at an altitude of 4,950m. This was scary to say the least.... Within the very natural surroundings we found geysers, boiling mud pools, steam vents...all a real scary experience. Down in Rotarua (New Zealand) paths lead you to safe viewing distances of the boiling mud pools and vents --- but here in Bolivia is absolutely no paths....as there is nobody around you...just you and the power of the earth. I took many brave steps around the noisy hissing of steam and bubbling mud to take some awesome photos!

We then moved on to a nearby lake ...yip, with flamingoes and several hot pools (known as Termas de Polques) ...where I took a well deserved dip in the 30 celsius clear sulfurous waters surrounded by nothing but unspoiled nature...at an altitude of 4,200m

We ended the day at Lake Verde, a turcoise lake at an altitude of 5,000m near the 5,930m cone of Vocan Licancabur.

In addition to the above...we saw a lot of other things -- to much to write about right now.

Bolivia is amazing -- to say the least. I must return to see the rest.

Respect others and it will be returned to you multi-fold