BOLIVIA
​My first visit to Bolivia was in the 80's when I shot a program for the Off the Map television series.  Knowing I didn't have a film permit, a local mayor took advantage of the situation and bilked me for $500 US.  No matter, I returned by road from Argentina in 2011.

The great Altiplano or High Plateau, the largest expanse of arable land in the Andes, extends from present-day Bolivia into southern Peru, north-western Argentina and northern Chile.*
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The few inhabitants of the region area are among the hardiest souls on earth, living at the ragged edge of human endurance.  They contend with the wind, drought, bitter cold, and high altitude without modern conveniences.*​

Uyuni sits at the junction of the rail lines to Antofagasta Chile, Villazon and Oruro, and lies south of Rio Mulatos where the Potosi and Sucre line branches off the main north-south route.  Outside Uyuni is a magnificent collection of dilapidated steam locomotives.*

Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland.  They are found mainly in the desert in dry, hot areas.*

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Colourful altiplano lakes, weird rock playgrounds, flamingos, volcanoes and the white salt flat of Uyuni: these are some the rewards of an excursion into northeast Bolivia.  Crossing the Bolivian border at Portezuelo del Cajon, passing Laguna Colorada and continuing to the Salar de Uyuni before ending in the town of Uyuni.*

* These captions are from Bolivia -- a Lonely Planet travel guide.