Salt Lakes

Even though it never rains in the Atacama region there are a number of large salt lakes dotting the desert.

The water comes from underground and the salt is the crusty layer left over as the water quickly evaporates.

It is here that the colors are most amazing. White and blue combine to create a blinding silver. 

You can feel the light and the colors scratch at your skin. The wind does its part blowing the warm dry desert air across the plateau and toward the Pacific, but it will never reach that far because the mountains are in the way.

You know it is hot, but the wind can feel cold. It makes a buffeting sound in your ears as you lean into it.