San Pedro Day 2: Flamingos and lakes and valleys, oh my!

First thing in the morning my friend Callie and I were off to the National Flamingo Reserve and boy was it beautiful. After passing through the town of Toconao, we arrived at the reserve, walked around, and ate breakfast served.

National Flamingo Reserve

National Flamingo Reserve

As part of our breakfast, we drank coca tea to prevent altitude sickness. Yes, coca is the plant used to make cocaine. No, the tea does not get you high. We also packed caramelos de coca (hard candies with coca leaves in them) for later in the day just in case we starting feel sick.

Tea made from coca leaves called mate

Tea made from coca leaves called mate

Next we stopped in a town called Socaire to look at a church and the landscape. Special farming techniques were used in the area because of the dry conditions. We had learned that the natives from this area had been using these techniques for ages in our Native Cultures class, so it was cool to see in person.

Church in Socaire

Church in Socaire

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Rica-rica plant, also used to brew tea to help with altitude sickness

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Stepped land to farm in the dry and hilly area

And then we were off to Lagunas Altipanicas, the main show. I’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves. It felt like I was standing in a painting.

Even prettier in person

Even prettier in person

The lake sparked like Edward Cullen. EDWARD CULLEN!

The lake sparked like Edward Cullen. EDWARD CULLEN!

I swear it is real and not painted

I swear it is real and not painted

We left the lakes and headed back towards San Pedro.

The little guy we met on our way back from Lagunas Altiplanicas

The little guy we met on our way back from Lagunas Altiplanicas

Looks like someone's a little tired...

Looks like someone’s a little tired…

Tropic of Capricorn

Tropic of Capricorn

We were back in San Pedro after stopping for ice cream in Toconao for a short rest and some lunch before heading off the the afternoon’s activities. First we went to Valle de la Luna.

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Valle de la Luna

Valle de la luna

The white stuff is salt

On our way out of Valle de the Luna we stopped to go on a short spelunking adventure. Callie was hesitant because she a little claustrophobic, but she made it through.

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Caving adventures! Callie is scared…

And off the Valle de la Muerte we went!

Selfie in Valle de le Muerte

Selfie in Valle de le Muerte

And finally to watch the sun set over the valley.

Very pretty sunset but...

Very pretty sunset but…

...way too many people.

…way too many people.

I wasn’t expecting too much from the Lagunas Altiplanicas and absolutely amazed. But I had very high expectations for the valleys and ended up being slightly disappointed with the crowds of people. If I did it over again, I would go to the valleys on bike and see the sunset from a different location without the hundreds of people. All in all an amazing day.


Location: Valle de la Luna

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