Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni (Part I)

Our last stop in Boliva- El Salar de Uyuni.

We made our way from Sucre to Uyuni via Potosí again, a journey that should have only taken nine hours. However, one hour into the journey in the middle of nowhere the bus gave up the will to live after struggling up hill for too long. Some water pipe exploded in the engine and we all had to get off. The poor bus driver was incapable of controlling the upset locals and of comforting the worried tourists, he numbly stood waiting for some miracle as people circled him demanding a solution. Locals being accustomed to frequent break downs were to be found running 100 metres in either direction from the bus in an attempt to hitch hike. The problem of course was that one vehicle passed every 10-15 minutes and when it did it flew past fearful of the mob of Bolivians swarming around it. It was hilarious, especially when we saw the bus driver make a run for it. To be fair, he was probably trying to get to the next local town to make a call to the bus company but it seemed so wrong at the time. He should go down with his ship god damn it.

After over two hours in 30 degrees heat with no bus driver and after hearing stories from locals of replacement buses arriving twelve hours later, we were all beginning to feel a little bit helpless. That is of course, until out of nowhere, a huge truck carrying cement bags with room for us all, dares to stop. This time we all made an attempt at getting a ride and we succeeded. Bruno, being the gentleman that he is, found himself helping all the girls on the truck with their 90 Litre ruck sacks. I mean seriously, as my cousin Paul O'Hagan rightfully once pointed out, if you can't carry it then don't bring it girls!!!!!

We can' t tell you how thrilling it was to be on board this truck. To be simply on the road again was such an amazing feeling.

We finally arrived to Uyuni around nine in the evening. There is absolutely nothing to do here, it's just the starting point of all the tours to the salt pans. The next day we began our three day tour across some of the most spectacular scenery we have ever seen.

First stop, the train cemetery

Nothing for miles

Anyone for drinks?

We had such a laugh taking these ridiculous photos, although it wasn't as easy as we imagined.

Trying to jump together was impossible without the help of someone else to actually take the photo. We tried to jump with the timer which was really impossible. We both kept jumping out of sync.

Sore hands...

I love this one, nearly there Bruno.

On the road to nowhere...

Full moon.