Salar de Uyuni #4

June 16th

The day has finally come. There it was, just 5 hours old 😅

Yeah, for those who still believe this is relaxation;

Wrong thinking!

This is no joke here!

Getting up at 5 o'clock in the morning and quickly getting the backpacks to the car, because the plan was to witness the sunrise over the largest salt flat in the world.

A unique experience, as our driver Wilmar unexpectedly announced to us, wide awake.

It was a bit of a challenge for me to stay awake. At least in the beginning of our drive.

I think the emotions and impressions overwhelmed me during the drive, bombarding me like a hail of bullets.

We raced across the Salar de Uyuni, while the sky on the horizon turned red, orange, yellow, pink.

An incredible spectacle!

I couldn't take my eyes off the horizon for the entire drive.
Luckily, we arrived at the Isla del Pescado after a short time.

An island completely covered with cacti of different shapes, sizes, and colors.
With great enthusiasm, we climbed the stairs to the summit.

I think I almost ran 😅 I only stopped to take a few photos.
I just couldn't wait to see the sunset from the top.

Damn! I don't know how to describe this feeling.

We stood at the top and watching the sun rise above the Salar de Uyuni was simply the best.

The -10 degrees suddenly didn't matter anymore and at least it became 1 or 2 degrees warmer.
After a hearty breakfast, including home-baked cake (😰), Wilmar drove us to a volcano in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni.

Until today, we're not entirely sure if it was compensation from the agency or Wilmar's incredibly good will, because only one other car with French people (who had also complained) followed us.

We drove serpentinely higher and higher. On a plateau, we had the opportunity for a short walk. 

It wasn't really a hike.

Climbing around the rocks and enjoying the view was still fun. This short trip was rounded off with a visit to a small cave, where several mummies were on display.

A local woman (unfortunately, I forgot her name) explained to us that the cold in the caves had preserved the Quechua mummies well.

Astonishing and gratifying at the same time was the fact that fresh coca leaves were lying at the feet of the mummies.
Apparently, there are still people today who care about their ancestors.

A beautiful thought!

Back on the white, endless expanses, we went for lunch and then for a little photo shoot (does that sound weird? 😂).

Whether jumping pictures, big-small pictures, oh, what am I actually talking about.

Just take a look for yourself 😄

As a last stop, we went to the train cemetery.
These trains were used for salt mining long ago, but when it was no longer profitable, this mystical but also beautiful place was created.

Does that make any sense?

I don't think so 😂

We said goodbye to Wilmar with a somewhat sad feeling. Of course, not without giving him a generous tip.

This driver is simply amazing!!!

Thank you very much, Wilmar!