Watts up on the salt flats?

The last 3 days have been out of this world. We've driven across what seemed like an endless expanse of white salt flats, taken hundreds of photos of flamingos and llamas, stood in awe gazing at a blood red lake and taken a dip in natural hot springs. All the while meeting and making friends with a bunch of lovely people. 

Our fears about the night bus were calmed when we took our place on chairs that fully reclined with fluffy blankets and the bonus surprise of hot dinner followed by quinoa chocolate and our first taste of coca tea (very refreshing). We bumped our way across the salt flats as the usual road to uyuni had been blocked by protesters. 

We met our 'red planet' tour at uyuni and joined a group of really friendly people in a 4x4. 

First stop was the train graveyard where bolvia's first locomotives have been left to rust. 

After this we headed out to the salt flats where we stopped off at a salt factory to learn how table salt is produced and packaged. Here we sat around salt tables for a chicken and vegetable feast. 

Back out onto the salt flats to visit a hotel made entirely of salt which was interesting but slightly underwhelming. 

From here we left the army of 4x4s to find a secluded spot to take numerous perspective photos. 

Next stop was what the tourists call 'fish island'. This was a volcanic and fossilised coral island jutting out from the 12000km squared expanse of salt. The island was home to hundreds of towering cacti and from the top we were able to take in incredible views as far the eye could see. The island felt like something from another planet. 

By the time we'd finished wandering around here the sun was beginning to go down so we drove towards our hostel, making a stop on the way to photograph the sunset. The colours were fantastic and lit up the mountains a wonderful warm pinky orange. 

Our first hostel was made of salt, including the tables and beds. After settling in we tucked into our hot chocolate and cookies before being served a warning vegetable soup followed by an odd Bolivian meal of cold chips topped with meat, vegetables and boiled egg. 

Had a chilled evening playing cards with our new friends.