Atacama desert

After having spent five chilled days on the pacific island Rapa Nui (Easter island) we have now arrived to the desert. The Atacama desert to be precise.

As expected it is rather stark, which I think suits my minimalist streak. We drive through vast plains of sand/rock/salt. At first it seems all very uniform but the closer you look, the more variation you see. The way the rocks are scattered and formed, the ripples in the sand and the crust formations of the salt. It is all fascinating and rather soothing. And to add to the beauty, the peaks (some volcanic, some snow-covered, some neither) of the Andes borders the plains.

Most amazing are the colours though. The various shades of red, green and white. We were amazed by the Rainbow valley where minerals colour the mountains. It is hard to describe but the two shades of green rocks are etched in my retina.

The Atacama salt lake is equally amazing. As the salt layer is so deep, the surface is all crackled up in a salty crust shaping incredible formations. This is were the flamingos like to hang out. We visited them the other morning just as the sun was rising. We had the fortune to watch the flamingos changing colour as the first sun rays of the morning reached them. And yes, we did managed to capture a photo or two of the occasion.

But most amazing must be the lagunas up in the altiplanico, above the 4000 meter mark. We took our 'little' jeep and followed the tour tracks and beyond. Only meeting the odd big lorry driving from Argentina to Chile. (Ok, there was two other tourist cars but we left them by the first lake, so they don't count.)

Again the colours were amazing. And all the mountains and rolling valleys looked so smooth you almost wanted to stroke them. I'll have to let my photos do the talking now.

The famous Mo'ais on Rapa Nui

Pretty sunset on Rapa Nui

Rainbow valley in Atacama desert

Flamingos at sunrise

More sunrise

Laguna in Altiplanico