The Driest Desert in the World, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile - April 2011

Valle de la Luna

I do still have two full legs. We decided to continue the silly photos and practice the 'high' technique we were taught in Uyuni. 

Erlend made another friend in the salt mine. He was in tune with Koala's pipes. Koala was Swiss.

The church in San Pedro de Atacama town. In this area, anything that can be made from wood, is made from dried cacti stems. The roof and panelling of this church is no exception.

Lago de Cejas

This lake is more than 75% salt. No effort needed to float. It is saltier than the Dead Sea in Israel.

Once the water had dried, you were left with a thick residue of salt. Every time you moved it felt like some one was ripping a huge plaster off. Very painful, especially once back in clothes.

Richard jumps into the ice cold, freshwater lake to wash off the salt.
It was too cold for me, I had to have my plasters ripped off for the next couple of hours.

This lake had completely dried out and left behind it's salt residue.
We arrive for sunset and had pisco sours and nibbles. The debate remains open about whether Chile or Peru invented them.
On the left is Daniella, a German friend who was also on the trip to Valle de la Luna with us. We have met so many Germans this trip, we have decided to go on a tour of Germany to see them all when we get home.