On the way to San Pedro de Quemez-Volcan Ollague
I’d been given instructions as to how to use the hot water and in the morning I attempted a hot shower, however it was lukewarm at best. I must admit that I wondered how it would keep warm overnight if it was using solar energy.
In the morning we had an interesting breakfast which included the Bolivian version of Coco Pops, a large bottle of strawberry yoghurt and scrambled eggs. There was plenty of variety and plenty of food. When we got into the jeep (as they call the 4WDs here) I found that the two bottles of water that I had left there the night before had significant chunks of ice in them. It sure had been a very cold night.
Soon after starting out we see a fox with ears that are bent over; Marco says this is because the ends of his ears have frozen during the night and haven't thawed out yet.
We have another interesting day, seeing Volcan Ollague, the only active volcano in Bolivia. We have lunch at Laguna Tuquiri where we see interesting rock shapes and birds nesting on the lake. Later we visit the Salt Flats of Chiguane and see the “Coral Soldiers”. This area was once all under water, hence the coral which now stands like soldiers, most leaning in the same direction.
We arrive at Hotel de Piedra (Stone Hotel) in San Pedro de Quemez and I am much smarter now and have a hot shower straight away. Cecilio goes into town to have dinner with friends and Marco and I dine together. I have two glasses of wine, although still got a cold and feeling rather ordinary. A group of local children come to play music from their area.
