Day 18: cold as ice

After a chilly night, we got up at 4h30 and packed our things ready to return to civilization.




After a quick breakfast we got in the car and off we were. The temperature outside was far below zero, the temperature sensor indicated 1°F or about -20°C. We felt like ice cubes in the freezer. It was so cold that the water vapor in our breath instantly froze on the windows of the car. 

After a while the engine was hot enough to provide sufficient heat to keep the windows clear and we eager to defrost.

We drove along the magnificent landscape while the sky became lighter and lighter. In the distance we saw smoke. This smoke appeared to be coming out of the earth. This hot smoke was due to volcanic activity in the area, creating geysers with a distinct sulfur smell. It also creates lagunas with water between 30°C and 37°C. That is why the flamingos love it. 

After visiting the green laguna and a desert were Salvador Dali found his inspiration it was time for us to enjoy the hot water. Getting out of us clothes was a challenge but once in the water we could only relax and enjoy. After 3 days without a shower we felt reborn and we were warmed up to the core. The beautiful scenery made it even more special. 

Time to leave the National park and head back to Uyuni! Along the way back we made some other stops. We enjoyed our lunch between the Lamas, we searched figures in rocks and Elien could not resist to climb one of them. Joachim got scared of watching, he could not bear the thought of doing the Salcantay trail on his own. But of course she did not fall. 

The last stop was a rather unplanned one... We had a flat tire that needed changing. The three boys helped changing it, as it was not a walk in the park. The bolts were super tight and every one of them needed some attempts to get loose. The boys felt so proud they helped so well, that they instantly grew 3 extra chest hairs and became men. The women who were watching enjoyed the performance. With the new tire we easily made it to Uyuni. 

But we could not say goodbye to our new friends yet. So we made plans for dinner together. After a hot shower we met them for pizza. After dinner it was time to say goodbye and it wouldn't be a proper goodbye without a group picture. This picture is now a memento of our time together, when we forgot the cold temperatures and enjoyed the warm company.