After our incredible tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) it was time to drive out of Bolivia and enter Chile again. We had made arrangements for a house sitting gig on the central coast of Chile. From there we would sell the truck and camper and reach the end of the journey.
Near the border we camped along the edge of the salt flats where it became the dry, rocky desert. It was wonderful to see the animals that had made this zone their home. Alpaca, llamas and flamingos were the most notable and photogenic. But birds, lizards, foxes and others were also existing in this harsh environment.
We camped for a night at a wonderful, natural hot pool. The views of the vast desert were great. And it was fun to watch families come to bathe here. Although we were many miles from any settlement they arrived in their little sedans, overflowing with life.
The border zone between Bolivia and Chile is truly bizarre. There are miles and miles of nothing. Then a sturdy metal building and a few signs appear. Once cleared through, it disappears in the rear view mirror into nothingness again. We saw no one besides the agents at the crossing. They told us that they live there for ten days straight, then go home for ten days!
The roads are washboard dirt. There are no villages, no people. Nothing. There is a strange kind of peacefulness in this place. But also an undercurrent of fear, because if things go wrong there is not help nearby. Then suddenly the road becomes paved. Highway signs reappear and a few small stores show up on the roadsides. We had arrived to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
San Pedro is the beating heart of the Atacama Desert. It is the only city in the region that is prepared to handle busloads of tourists that cross over from Bolivia to explore Chile. Some are there to camp in the huge sandy desert. Some are visiting for the dark night skies and the Alma telescopes and observatory activities. Some are there to experience the unique geologic landscape. We decided to try the latter. We went to a small preserve which featured geysers and bubbling pots of water.
Then we were off to pose in front of the iconic overlander artwork! Los Mano del Desierto – The Hand of the Desert. It has become sort of a rite of passage for travelers to find it and take the shot. So, of course, there we were.
With this moment checked off the to- do list it was time for the big announcement. We had a buyer for Beauty and the Beast. She would be sold and transferred in just two months, and we were finished with this trip. Happy news for the new owner. Bittersweet for us, as the journey would come to an end.
But we had one more fun adventure ahead. Stay tuned as we dip into property management, live on the edge and pack up to return to the USA!
Did the end of the journey mean just the current one or are you settling down?
Paula
BTW- some of the information about Ruby Brimhall was new to me. It was also very interesting!!
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