A fox, flamingos and a crazed llama

Thursday 20th December

Headed south out of San Pedro. There was still quite a bit of vegetation. To the west were the salt flats and to the east the highly active volcano, Lascar, which recently has erupted at least once a year. There was a bit of smoke coming out the top. It is 5154m high, dwarfed by its sister volcano, Aguas Calientes, which is 5924 m.

Volcan Lascar with Volcan Aguas Calientes. You can just about see the smoke.

We then reached the tiny oasis of Toconao, where we saw three crosses by the roadside. There were platforms for people to stand on so we can only imagine that they re-enact the crucifixion here on Good Friday.

A gorge runs through the village and all sorts of fruit grow there, such as figs and quinces.

Heading further south we passed through the hamlet of Socaire, and left the metalled road to climb up into the Andes. We’re getting used to this off-roading. It was a bumpy climb up to the twin lakes of, Laguna Miscanti and Laguna Mineques, which stand at 4350m above sea level. We both felt the effects of altitude with shortness of breath. There were a few other people up there, but the only noise was the splashes as giant coots dived under the water. The shores of both lakes were lined with crystallised salt. They were both deep blue. It is breeding season so visitors are not encouraged to go near the birds.

Laguna Miscanti

Laguna Mineques

The dots are giant coots

Salt on the shore

On the way out from the lagunas, a cute Andean Fox came to say hello.

We descended the mountains again and passed a canal providing water to the community of Socaire.

We came across a lady herding some sheep just outside the village, and also took a picture of the church.

Later on we came across someone herding goats.

We turned west and headed to the Salar de Atacama, the salt flats, and in particular to Laguna Chaxa to see the flamingos. There was a path across the salt flat, and on all sides were crystallised salt formations. We saw a very brightly coloured lizard as well as some skeletal brine prawns. The ground was dazzling white and it was relentlessly hot.

At the lagoon there were flamingos and other types of bird. All the flamingos are rare species. The photo shows Andean flamingos.

Around 6 pm by now we headed back to our hotel, stopping for petrol at one of the best disguised petrol stations in the world. They really do not want you to find it. Then, nearly a disaster! As we headed back to the hotel a crazed llama ran in front of the car, requiring an emergency stop. Here is a picture of the culprit.