Today was the start of our desert crossing.

Our pickup was late so we hung around outside waiting for almost an hour but it was a good thing as it meant we could make the most of the wifi as we will have none for the next 3 days.
Drove for a while until we reached the Chile border. As soon as we got off the bus a crowd of Chile football fans greeted us and wanted photos with us all! As started asking where we were from. And chanting "Chile, Chile" and so on! It was quite funny!
It took ages queuing up to get stamped at the Chile border, there was only one person. At one point that person got up and left the office to go outside and great his friend leaving the door open! Anyone could have easily got in and started stamping their own passport lol! Luckily for him nobody did!
Once we all finally got stamped we drove to the Bolivian border which was pretty much in the middle of nowhere.
We had to take all our luggage off the bus as we were going to be travelling in 4x4s for the next 3 days.
Had to hang around for a while in the freezing cold before we could finally get stamped and the 4x4s arrived, so we all split up into 4 4x4s. I'm with 3 girls for the next 3 days; Catherine, Kelly and Kali.

Stopped for a toilet break. We had a taste of what toilets would be like for the next 3 days - not nice at all!

Stopped at a lagoon to take photos. Amazing views. Looking forward to what's to come!
Drove a bit more to stop for lunch. There was a hot spring, so after lunch we had time to bathe in it for a while. I wasn't so sure about getting in as I knew I would be cold getting out! Decided to go in anyway as I knew I'd regret it if I didn't. It was so so warm, just like a bath! Got hot at one point! And it wasn't too bad getting out thankfully as I was still too hot to wear my jumper and coat!

The views while driving was amazing. Managed to take some photos. Saw llamas- have no idea how they manage to live in the middle of the desert! It's a very bumpy ride throughout - not good if you've drank a lot of water lol!!
Stopped at some geysers. Wow, they sure did stink!

Stopped at more lagoons until we came across one with flamingos. Wow, they were beautiful! Unfortunately I saw some dead ones with their heads chopped off, not a nice sight!

Stopped right in the middle of the desert with some rock formations to see the sunset. It FINALLY had a toilet, by that time I was desperate to go! Again wasn't very nice, but what do you expect being in the middle of a desert!

Drove to our hotel we were staying in for the night. I have no idea how the drivers managed to find their way across the desert in the pitch black! I would have gotten lost for sure! Then again they've probably driven that way thousands of times. Took about 2 hours from our last stop so didn't arrive until after 8, starving! It was pretty decent for a hotel right in the middle of the desert. No showers and the toilets stank as it was a long drop. Have hired a sleeping bag for the night as there's no hearing and it's freezing! Lots of layers for me tonight!

Had a 3 course meal, soup for starter, chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables and then a pancake with chocolate sauce for pudding, lovely!
Straight to bed after, shattered! Let's hope it's not too cold tonight!