Bolivia: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve

Passing through the mysterious town, we entered the million-acre reserve, a place of spare and striking beauty.

Strange eroded volcanic rock formations, of which we'll see more tomorrow

Vividly backlit tufts of grass, receding to the distance

Vicuñas against distant hills, standing out against a dusting of snow

A hungry and inquisitive fox that explored our vehicles

Flamingos in a shallow lake, precursors of a much larger flock we'll see the next day

Bolivia: After the Salt Flats

Leaving the Salar de Uyuni, we drove toward the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, first passing through a strangely empty town. There was an impressive stone church, which we were told had been moved - stone by stone - from some distant spot. But it seemed closed, except for a caretaker, and the rest of the town showed little life.

Bolivia: Appreciation and Celebration on Salar de Uyuni

As the sun sinks, shadows outline the polygonal cells into which the salt crystallizes.

Our drivers enjoyed concocting illusions based on the broad perspectives of the lake.

As the sun began to set, we enjoyed a celebration with good Bolivian wine and cheese hosted by our tour leaders Andrea (right) and Daniel (left) and arranged by our four drivers.

Bolivia: Fish Island Cactus in Salar de Uyuni

Fish Island isn't really an island (at least currently) but rather a rise above the surrounding salt lake with an amazing growth of cacti. We hiked to the top and down the other side.

Bolivia: Selling Salt from Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni is the biggest salt flat in the world, which makes it both a tourist attraction and a great mine for salt. Collection is limited to certain areas, but the scale is impressive.

This fellow collects, bags, and sells artisan salt.

Salt collecting off to the horizon.

Industrial scale harvesting of salt blocks for building (e.g., our hotel)

A building where backpackers can rest, socialize, and get a bite to eat.

Flags of backpackers from different countries.

Flamingos feed on brine shrimp from salt lakes. Here's one carved from salt.

Bolivia: Train Cemetery

We began day 8 by visiting the "train cemetery" outside Uyuni. It's an amazing place, where one can imagine spending days or weeks photographing abandoned, rusted train cars, engines - from overviews to details, in all sorts of light. Unfortunately, we only had an hour, but it was fun while it lasted.

Bolivia: Evening at the Salt Hotel

We left Potosí about noon, and (with one pit stop) reached the Hotel de Sal Luna Salada overlooking the Salar de Uyuni salt flats about 5 PM.

Across the road from the pit stop. Somehow, the sheds made the place seem even more empty.

Approximately full-size sculpture of a condor outside the hotel.

Our bedroom, elegant and spacious. The walls are layered salt blocks.

Photos from our bedroom window as the sun set over the Salar de Uyuni.