Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Food Poisoning

I was terribly sick on my tour to Uyuni. I tried to fix my stomach the night before, but I woke up in horrible pain. It felt like someone was stabbing me in the guts and twisting the knife. I skipped breakfast, packed up my things, and loaded them onto the vehicle. I couldn’t do anything but try to sleep through the pain.

As we drove through the Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, the scenery was beautiful but I couldn’t enjoy it. Every bump along the way was another stab in the gut – and it was bumpy!

Couldn’t enjoy this at Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa, Bolivia
Couldn’t enjoy this

 

Laguna Cañapa

We made a few stops during the day. The first was Laguna Cañapa. I jumped out of the vehicle, took a couple quick photos, and climbed back into my seat.

Laguna Cañapa at Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa, Bolivia
Laguna Cañapa

 

Laguna Hedionda

The second was Laguna Hedionda, a breeding ground for James’s flamingos. Hedionda means “stinking” in Spanish. It stunk. This was also our lunch stop for the day. I sat outside with the other sick passengers, drank Gatorade and 7-Up, and used the facilities one or three times.

Laguna Hedionda at Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa, Bolivia
Laguna Hedionda
Laguna Hedionda at Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa, Bolivia
Laguna Hedionda

 

Árbol de Piedra

Next, it was Árbol de Piedra, a rock formation in the shape of a tree. We were able to spot a culpeo (Andean fox) before reaching the “tree”.

Árbol de Piedra at Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa, Bolivia
Árbol de Piedra
Culpeo at Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa, Bolivia
Culpeo

 

Laguna Colorada

Finally, we came to Laguna Colorada, a lake that is always red from algae. It wasn’t as red as the pictures.

Laguna Colorada at Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Abaroa, Bolivia
Laguna Colorada

 

Sleep

We drove to a hostel nearby Laguna Colorada and checked in. I was starting to feel better by dinner time and ate my first full meal since lunch the day before. We had lights out at 9pm for a 5am wake-up. This night I froze. I had to put on an extra layer and cover my head and face. It was unbearable for the first hour, but luckily I was able to get an extra blanket. Once my body heat warmed up the blanket, I slept very well.

Continue to Day 3, the last morning of the Uyuni tour

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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