Salty Dreams

Our guide dumped us off here to wait for the sunset.  With two hours to kill, we ended up taking lots of photographs which highlight the unique perspective of the salt flats. 

Our guide was perfectly adequate.  He safely drove us from place to place.  He pointed out each lagoon and told us the name.  That was, however, the only information he willingly supplied.  It wasn't that he didn't have the information.  When asked a question, he always knew the answer.  He just didn't seem to think his job went beyond being a chauffeur.  When we arrived at each spot, it was always the same.  He simply waved his hand in the direction we should go, walked to the side of the car to take a leak, and chatted with other guides if there were any in the vicinity.

After watching the sun descend into the mountains, we headed back to the Land Rover in the rosy twilight.

True to its name, the salt hotel was in fact made of salt.  Salt bricks formed the walls.  Even our beds were made of salt.  I had to move my pillow away from the headboard though because salt granules kept sprinkling down every time I touched it.  The hotel was basic, but it was much better than I had anticipated.  The bathroom was clean, and dinner was excellent.  It began with a traditional Bolivian soup which was followed with an omelet, fries, and banana chips.  Although the night was very cold, and the room unheated, we stayed warm in our beds with 4 heavy blankets and our rented sleeping bags.