Salinas and National reserve

So this morning we were picked up at 6.15 in the morning to go on a tour, which took us to an altitude of 4,600 metres above sea level. We had no idea how we were going to react. It was like an out of body experience. Within minutes my head felt really fussy and it was almost as if I was there but I wasn't. It's really hard to explain.

First stop was a photo opportunity, with the volcanoes in the background.

We stopped at some church to take some photographs which had some significance during the time when the Spanish we're trying to indoctrinate the indigenous people.

Next was a quick stop for breakfast where we were all given the obligatory rolls and cheese and Coca leaf tea. Colin made a new friend.

The first stop was the salt flats. This is normally filled with water but to due to the lack of rain we had to walk a good way out before we reached the lake. The salt is actually pumped up from underground is mainly used in agriculture.

Moving on, we climbed in height and eventually reached 4, 600 beaches above sea level this was in the national park. The purpose of this visit was to see an active volcano and to have a dip in the hot springs.

By the time everyone had finished walking up the hill we were knackered. The climb in the altitude really hurt. Anyway, was the main purpose the trip. We toddled off and up to the platform to see this magnificent, active volcano. It certainly sent me into a fit of giggles. This active volcano when you looked down on it from above just look like a giant purple zit. I could not believe that I had sent my pulse up to 120 beats per minute and my blood oxygen levels down to just over 70% to have a look at this giant zit.

On the way back we passed three hot springs. Unfortunately, we didn't really have the time to get undressed, get in, get dressed again and get back to the bus 🚌

I was secretly happy because they absolutely stank. I knew it was going to be volcanic but my God the stench was unbearable and there was no way I was going to get in that water and then get back on the bus and force people to sit on the same bus as me for another four to five hours. There were no showers and I would have stank to high heaven, particularly as nobody else on our tour went in the springs.

We ambled back into town for something to eat and Colin wanted to see the main plaza lit up in the dark as the whole square and the two towers at the cathedral are lit beautifully at night.

On the way back we decided to stop off and have some ice cream and we both decided to two scoops which was far too much and my eyes were bigger than my belly. On the way into town ww saw a five-piece band setting up basically just on the street corner so Colin suggested we amble that way back to the hotel and just see whether they were playing or not. They'd just started so we stood and listened to them for a good 30 40 minutes. They were absolutely brilliant I did shoot a video however it takes up too much space to put on here but I will give it a try. I had enough of my ice cream however rosenguts Appleby,  his belly is never full, finished mine off.

We needed to call in to get a few provisions, crap like sweets and biscuits and pop for the journey for the following day. Halfway up the hill I decided I need to go to the loo and it was urgent. Colin gave me the room key and I flew like a bat out of hell up the hill forgetting all about the fact that we were two and a half thousand meters above sea level. I got to the hotel just in the nick of time. Little did I know at the time, but did later find out after googling it, the Coca leaves that I have been drinking and chomping all day were also given as a cure for constipation i.e. a laxative. 🤣🤣🤣