THE Bolivia I Didn't Know Existed! :)

While known for the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flats and mirror in the world..

Bolivia has more on its palette than just white!

Laguna Colorada or Red Lagoon

A splash of red and green lagoons..

Specks of wild pink flamingos..

Strokes of seven colors on a mountain..

Oh.. I just loved discovering them! :)

3 days in the wilderness in this ride..

On to our first stop at the train cemetery..

Nothing spectacular.. just a graveyard for trains abandoned by mining companies..

But this.. why did I walk too slow?!

A mama Llama just gave birth seconds before I arrived..

And this.. what you always see on postcards..

Harvested salt.. mounds.. hard as rocks..

We stepped on them but I promise they will be cleaned ;)

Dakar Rally.. husband had to explain to me what this was! :P

The off-road endurance race apparently went (or still goes?) through these salt flats..

No.. I could not find the Philippine flag here, and wish we brought one..

So guys, when it's your turn to visit this original and abandoned salt hotel..

Don't forget to bring your country's flag! ;)

If you're wondering.. this beautiful salt hotel was closed down due to waste disposal and sewage problems.. 

It was the only salt hotel ever built in the middle of the salt flats.. and sadly, there was no proper infrastructure to support it..

Just a kid playing on a truck.. and life.. of the Bolivianos in the area..

Behind the scenes: Lunch break with tour mates.. 

Roasted chickens were huge and good!

Walls, dining chairs, and tables.. made of salt blocks..

The only part of Bolivia I knew existed! ;)

The Salt Flats.. Our playground for the afternoon!

Click here for more: My Playground.. Salar de Uyuni

So they kept saying we were going to Incahuasi or Fish Island..

And I thought there would be water and fishes..

But no.. only giant Cacti!

Amazing how an island full of giant Cacti sprouted in the middle of the salt flats!

So why Fish Island? 

Because the island is shaped like a fish!! haha! :))

Remember those salt blocks made into walls and chairs?

Yes, this is where they came from..

They are really hard.. unlike the salt in our kitchen! ;)

Behind the scenes: Salt hotel accommodation for the night..

And room assignment..

Bed frame, and side table also made of salt blocks..

Had to be careful with our things because the salt blocks were rough!

Good morning!

From somewhere close to the border of Chile..

On to see the Ollague Volcano..

Behind the scenes: Our car broke down, lunch ended up being served by the roadside, and I was glad..

It took them more than an hour to fix the problem.. but it was at that moment I saw how the Bolivianos really cared for each other.. with all the approaching vehicles stopping and helping.. until we could go..

Finally met the wild pink Flamingos at the Laguna Canapa..

And by the Laguna Hedionda.. or should I say, in the middle of nowhere.. this fascinating Hotel!

Just when I thought I was the only one mesmerised.. 

This wild Vicuña also loved the Flamingos ;)

Already freezing..

But had to take this shot with their most photographed rock.. the Arbol de Piedra or Stone Tree.. 

Now as the French in our group exclaimed as we arrived.. "Magnifique!"

The gorgeous Laguna Colorada or Red Lagoon.. turns red every time the wind blows.. caused by the movement of the microorganisms in the water..

And like the other lakes we've just seen.. the white patches are Borax mineral deposits..

And the pink dots? Flamingos!

Last stop for the day.. 

Had to be careful not to fall into the boiling mud pools..

At the crater of a volcano.. Sol de Mañana..

Our home last night.. Where I learned what the Bolivianos meant by Economical Toilet..

No shower.. No electricity after 10 pm.. No water.. No flush.. and No breathing for me!

Just this hot spring..

..and I survived!

To see the Seven Colors Mountain..

Bid farewell to our fellows..

At the Laguna Verde or Green Lagoon.. which shares the same story as the Red Lagoon.. 

But just Green!

Climb a few rocks at the Valley of Rocks..

And savour the beauty of the Bolivian wilderness one last time..

I hope you enjoyed this adventure as much as I did! :)

Related Posts: My Playground.. Salar de Uyuni; Where I'd Stay in La Paz

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References:

Cost Per Person as of November 2014

10-Hour Overnight Bus from La Paz to Uyuni - Round Trip - Todo Turismo Bus - USD 80
3-Day Salt Flats Tour Inclusive of Food, Lodging, and English Speaking Guide - Red Planet Expedition - USD 180

Bring your own water and tissue paper! :)