Exploring San Pedro de Atacama

Sunday, Dec 20 we took  what promised to be an expensive excursion
to see some of the sights around San Pedro de Atacama.  Turned out a little better than that.

With a bilingual guide and about 8 other tourists we ventured above 4000 meters to salt flats with flamingos, high altitude desert with llamas and vicuna seemingly wild and a couple lakes.   Spectacular scenery.  We even passed by the entrance to ALMA which is a 47 radio dish telescope that I watched on a PBS special back in the fall.  If you ever get to this part of the world, sign up early for the free public tour every Saturday.  I missed it as reservations via internet fill fast but it would be a facinating trip.  Google PBS ALMA for more information.

Several near perfect cones from volcanic activity were also seen along with rocks formed from the volcanic ash.  Seems the Andies are the result of both tutonic uplift and volcanic action.  Some of which of course is still going on.

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