Colchani

Today will be a challenging one. We will be driving almost 400kms bouncing across rough terrain to get to our next destination. All of us woke up feeling rather ill. I was up most of the night with a lingering headache and slight nausea. Mia, while she mostly slept through the night, was up at 5am and wanted to play Uno 😓. The boys were sleeping in another room but when we saw them it was always they felt as bad as I did. Both of them were also up most of the night with a headache and Ryan was feeling very nauseous. Panadol for everyone at breakfast and an oxygen shot for Ryan, and all of us started to feel slightly better and ready to head out.

Our daily morning routine, watching Isaak and Orlando to do the hard work of loadin our bags.

Our basic but comfortable lodging, Mallku Cueva Hotel.

The kids weren’t overly enthusiastic when we told them that today we would be driving all across the desert looking at rock formations 😜. Villamar is known for the many interesting looking rock formations found in the area. 

Bolivia’s World Cup (photo by Missy Mia)

Camel whisperer 

Valle de las Rocas, stunning rock formations caused by wind erosion. Grumpy faces were starting to appear by this time.

So we left them in the car and Shad and I took a walk through the valley. The scenery was just spectacular.

Just one more stop before lunch. Mama and Daddy had to take turns dragging one hot grumpy child along.

At the top of another summit, a mini one this time. 

Such a treat to walk into this group of llamas going to the waterhole for a drink.

Finally lunch is served! Everyday we would pull up at someone’s home which has been turned into a hostel and “dining hall” which they rent out to tourist groups. Isaak would bring food from the hotel and lay out a yummy picnic lunch for us. 

A mini tornado, or more correctly known as dust devil, appeared from nowhere. According to Isaak they are quite common occurances at this time of the year.

Today we stopped at this tiny town for lunch. While Isaak and Orlando were setting up lunch, we went for a quick walk. 

The town square

A beautiful church stands right in the centre of town

This little old lady just walked onto the middle of the road and started “airing” her quinoa. The bright pink husky blowing in the wind was so pretty. 

Our last stop of the day was this Train Cemetary. Some of the engines and rail cars here date back to the 19th century. The boys had a blast climbing in and out, up and down the trains.