I’m woken by the heat of the morning sun as it warms the side of the tent inches from my face,
Outside a fresh coffee is being brewed over the camp cooker,
as my regular energising breakfast of porridge and fresh fruit is being prepared.
I lie in bed for a little longer just because I can, until the intensity of the sun drives me from the tent.
Clambering out of the canvas opening, I lay eyes on a salt lake laden with pink flamingos, towering 6000m high volcanic peaks, as a freshly brewed coffee lands in my hand steaming with early morning freshness.
Breakfast is devoured, and as the sun climbs we decamp, the tent packed up, panniers placed on the bikes, and riding commences.
Bouncing along meandering dirt roads, climbing through valleys laden with volcanic splendor, rocks of red and yellows, sulphur smells and natural hot springs, we stop for a quick dip. Lunch appears, prepared earlier in the morning while I was still sleeping.
After an idyllic picnic, riding continues …
More beautiful views of salt lakes and volcanoes this time with roaming wild life.
As the sun nears the tallest peaks we search for another picturesque camp spot.
Around 7 o’clock after 6-8 hours of riding we clamber from the bikes, shower (which involves slowly poring a bottle of water over each others head) and rug up in our ice breaker thermals as the temperature plummets from 40 degrees to cold enough to freeze our drink bottles solid.
As I pitch the tent my evening meal is prepared over the camp cooker (its a bit like the BBQ thing – if it’s cooked outdoors its a man’s job !!)
A variation of pasta or rice or pasta or rice with a combination of Maggie soup flavors.
We sit down to dinner perched on a rock, watching the shadows lengthen, with dusk revealing yet another magical sunset.
Clambering back into the tent, exhausted from the days events, sleep comes so easily, mind cluttered only with the adventures of the day and looking forward to the unfolding of another.
It just doesn’t get better than this ….

Angela