04.07 - Day 15 - San Juan to Red Lagoon, BOL

San Juan to somewhere near Red Lagoon, BOL

4th July 2010

A long day of driving South-by-South-West punctuated by various stops at lookouts or points of interest. As the altitude rises the heat is less noticeable than the day before. Stops at various lagoons including one for lunch. Though they’re named Green Lagoon or Red Lagoon the colours are perhaps not as vibrant as the name suggests. 

One of two highlights is shortly after lunch where we come across a lagoon containing several hundred bright pink flamingos. Watching their elegant delicate footsteps in the mud it’s hard to imagine they’re anything except female.

Vamos – more driving as we weave between dormant volcanoes – the rocks; hardened lava in impressive weather worn shapes. 

At an entry gate to a National Park we bribe the 16 year old security guard with three bread rolls to allow us to pass through. 

As we progress the landscape shifts once more to a traditional sand based desert although interspersed with over-sized boulders looking out of place. One of these has been moulded in such a way that it appears to have a trunk with top heavy foliage – hence Tree Stone. 

Final lagoon of the day is named Red, adjacent to which is our second night of basic accommodation. Whereas the previous night had been chilly, the place had not been without its charm – less so for this place. 

Once again we share with Zak and Alex (Anita and Jaykar paying for an upgrade to a double). The altitude brings with extra coldness – so it’s to sleep fully clothed in sleeping bags under duvets. Brrr.