Day 24 - Huajllajara to Puerto Chubica-Atulcha (Day 3 of Salar de Uyuni Tour)

We had pancakes for breakfast which was a welcome change; however nothing could really help with the obvious atmosphere that surrounded the team. Personally I was just glad to be on the move and was looking forward to the tour ending.  Whilst loading our bags onto the vehicle we were introduced to Javier's friends, although when we did finally leave we didn't exactly leave in convoy!

Our first destination was the Laguna Colorado again, and it was wonderful to see it at sunrise. On my return to the vehicle Rob made a comment suggesting I took too long walking around the lake, and that we had to be careful as the other vehicles would get ahead of us and we would have no backup! I just told him we were surrounded by other vehicles and there was no need to worry, which was true as it was obvious on this stretch of the tour there were many more tourists around. Rob never said anything, and it basically just made matters worse between us.

Lagunda Colorada

Lagunda Colorada

The desert of Siloli

The Stone Tree in the desert of Siloli

We stopped for lunch near Mt. Ollague where Javier did wonders with some chicken and salad. After lunch we visited quite a few more Lagunas where I basically explored them all by myself whilst interacting with Frasier and Joanne,  and hardly speaking with Rob or Daniel as I really couldn't be bothered. I helped Fraser and Joanne capture some funny photographs when we reached Salar De Chiguana along the rail track which was all good fun!

Mt. Ollague

Laguna Honda

Laguna Honda

Laguna Honda

Laguna Hedionda

Laguna Hedionda

Laguna Characota

Laguna Canapa

Salar De Chiguana

Salar De Chiguana

Our final sight for the day was the bizarre Necropolis at San Juan (10 Bolivianos). I wasn't sure what I really made of this very strange graveyard, with the remains of some of the corpses being displayed, however it was pleasant enough just walking around.

San Juan - Necropolis

San Juan - Necropolis

We finally reached our accommodation for the night on the edges of the Salar de Uyuni salt lake in Puerto Chubica-Atulcha, which was a hotel made from salt which was actually very cool (especially the entrance area). We were all together again in one room with the beds made of salt and the floor also covered in salt.

Javier mentioned that he had to help a friend fix his car and that lunch would be served at 8:30pm which I thought was a little late especially as we were told we had to be up at 4:45am the following morning! He had obviously asked for some help from another cook on another team to prepare our meal, (which we later learned was his sister). Conversation at the dinner table was ok, although Rob started taking the piss out of Daniel, and basically talked a load of shite! (A couple of glasses of wine was all that was needed!) Nothing was mentioned about our vehicle, which was strange as we were never really travelling in convoy with Javier's friends after all! (There were plenty of tourists and vehicles about however.)  I gave up waiting for my dessert  at 10pm and went to bed!

Downside of the funky salt hotel was that there was only one shower and you had to pay 10 Bolivianos to use it!

*I know that I have mentioned visiting Laguna Hedionda today as well as yesterday, which I admit is a little misleading! However after looking back at my four day print-out of the tour supplied by the company it does actually state that we visited Laguna Hedionda on two separate days!? Clearly a typo I suspect. If anybody looking at my pictures or indeed has done the same tour with 'Hostal Valle Hermoso' then feel free to enlighten me!