One overnight bus journey, a stop in an unengaging place and to the desert!

So, I´m sat next to Cath in a small internet cafe in La Paz in Bolivia catching up on blogging- it´s been eventful.

To start with we got out of Argentina after having a great final steak and supreme icecream- 'with sticky out bits!' was Catherines´ desire, so we went into a massive icecream parlour in central Mendoza.

Luck was with us for a our departure, we could go straight to La Serena on the only bus a week from Mendoza.  After admiring the moonscape of the Andes at night through the window during a massive climb to the border we dealt with overly efficient border officials who revealed an apple in the handbag of a lady who unfortunately had not declared anything- an hour later, one further form filled in we were on our way.

We arrived in La Serena after having a interrupted night sleep on a bus into a cold dark city which wasn´t going to be the best place to stop.  We were knackered, tired of the dreary pacific coast and actually considered just getting on a bus straight out of there to the desert- none were available.  As worn and hard core travellers we put our backpacks on and sought out Maria´s Casa- an apparent oasis in the abyss of a very dreary La Serena.  We were welcomed in with a coffee by Maria and felt at home, sleep later and a stroll around the town followed by a fish supper improved moods but thoughts were heavily on getting out- back to bus station- one ticket out!

The town from our next day impressions is OK, a nice centre but cold at this time of the year, has a poorly kept beach and felt overly priced (apart from Maria´s which was genius!).  Things to do around La Serena include going to see Humboldt penguins and going to the observatory to see close ups of planets which can be incredible.  We passed on all due to lack of effort but made an outstanding dinner that night at Marias and were duly informed about Bolivia by Kendle and Loraine, a lovely Australian couple.  Plans for travelling through Chile into Peru were changing; we had been informed Boliva was a joy and so was the trip across the salt flats. 




Another overnight bus journey saw us arrive in Calama, a centre for the mines of the area (the clientel of the bus reflected as much) but a necessary connecting town to San Pedro.  We were in better shape in Calama and picniced in town centre after booking our bus onto San Pedro.  On we went, another 2 hours in the bus, we arrived in an area of outstanding beauty- the desert!  We found a hotel before the impending cold was to come in (heard it could get to -15!) and settled in for a bit of a rest.  Our plans had been decided now- we were going onto Bolivia!  Next day, 4x4 booked and washing put in, food bought and outstanding meal cooked.

Of course we managed a walk out into the desert that day as well.  Here are some photos to show you the beauty of the area and some ruins we walked to and a Llama for your viewings.  I leave the rest to Cath...