San Pedro de Atacama and points south...into the deep, dry
heat of the Salar de Atacama
A few shots taken around the town. It's an oasis village
of narrow dirt streets and adobe houses that has, over the last ten years or
so, become the travel Mecca of Northern Chile. It sits at 2400 metres
between the desert and the altiplano and has been an important settlement
since pre-Hispanic times.
From the town, the Volcan Licancabur at almost 6000
metres is clearly visible.
A half day trip to the Laguna Chaxa in the middle of the
Salar de Atacama is our first excursion from here.
It is the largest salt flat in Chile formed by waters flowing down from the
Andes evaporating and leaving salt deposits on the earth.
On arrival in a dazzling 35 deg C, Paula and Patricia
brief us on the amazing scenes around us.
We are almost on the tropic of Capricorn,
and the sun is almost overhead.
The salt is dazzlingly bright and we wear
hats and sun factor 25.
Jim takes a rest in the shade...
...provided by this surreal refuge. the egg
is that of a Flamingo.
