Bolivia’s Altiplano: Salt Flats and Quinoa
Now that I have reached the high Andean plain, the bicycling has been remarkably flat. One stop was a place known for being so flat that satellites use it to calibrate their sensors. The Salar de Uyuni, a massive salt flat, is also a popular tourist spot. I joined in for some of the clowning around, and camped for the night in the massive blank void.
Entering the salar involves about 500 meters of briny salt slush. One photo shows the salt caked upon my bicycle, which is horrible for the metal parts. Luckily, there is a bike-friendly car wash in town nearby.
It's fall in the southern hemisphere, so the crops are being harvested. The quinoa plants are vibrant shoots of crimson and yellow.
With night temperatures around freezing, I have been sleeping indoors more. The small towns have inexpensive alojamientos, which are usually a room with a bed in someone’s house or shop. I enjoy being a traveler and making use of these.
Link to my route: https://maps.findmespot.com/s/KD2X
