When I checked in yesterday for my flight to Uyuni, I discovered that I had been rebooked on an earlier flight leaving at 6:15 am, requiring that I leave my lodging at 4 am. Not happy! When I joined up with my photography tour group in Uyuni, most of whom were on my original flight, I learned that their entire flight’s worth of luggage had been lost. No longer so unhappy!

When I decided to travel to the Salar de Uyuni, Jeanine made it clear that she wanted me to do so with a group for my own safety. It is a vast salt flat, portions of which are covered by water, and not a place where you want to strike out on your own.

I joined a small photography-focused tour group. We are twelve in total, with 2 from the US, 2 from the UK, 1 from Germany, 3 from Mexico, 1 from Panama (my roommate), 1 from Spain, and 2 from Colombia. After introductions, we set out for our first visit to the salt flats. Unfortunately, weather conditions were not in our favor. High winds and scattered thunder showers reduced our options, but this is a place of immense beauty on any day. We enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the tour company staff.

Plans for a return to the salt flats for astrophotography had to be cancelled due to the storms and cloud cover. Fortunately, we managed to evade the rain and had an opportunity to photograph a flock of flamingos and the sunset.