POST 2: My Best Vacation Ever

 I recently went on this vacation, and got back just a few days ago. I don't really know if it's the best ever, but it certainly was very special, and very good. It was my first vacation after 1,5 years of going NOWHERE because of the pandemic and all the quarantines and bad conditions for traveling.

I went to San Pedro de Atacama for 5 days with a friend. We flew to Calama and then took a transfer to San Pedro. I had been there 22 years ago, but only briefly. This time was much better. San Pedro is a really amazing and beautiful place. It's a town at 2,500 meters on a high plateau in the Andes and Atacama Desert. It has an amazing atmosphere and a lot to see and do nearby.

We went to a place called Baltinache where you can bathe in a salt lake, which has amazing turqoise colors surrounded by white salt. We also went to a place called Puripobre because the Puritama Hot Springs were closed. Puripobre is another little oasis where you can swim surrounded by cactuses in a canyon--in pure nature.

Of course, there was the El Tatio Geyser up at 4,500 meters. You have to go at 5 am because that is the best time to see the geyser in action. It was worth it to see it. Again you are in awe of nature's beauty there. On the way up, you can see flamingos and even rare little frogs.

Finally, another destination near there was Valle del Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley). This was a desert valley full of rock formations in red, green and white. It was another beautiful place perfect for exploring.

All the guides who take you to these places are very nice (in my experience) and explain everything perfectly. 

I suppose you get a little tired more easily because of the altitude. but you can get used to it. For me, this trip was the perfect antidote to years of staying at home, so I really enjoyed it!