Day two offers an experience that I can only sum up as - how I feel it would be to visit Planet Mars, like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall

Myself, Nick, and another black British girl, a Norwegian couple and an older German man – all decide to take a jeep tour into the highlands of Bolivia, reaching the dizzying heights of 5000 ft above sea level. The German keeps us thoroughly entertained in the car with tales of his travels over the past thirty years, including hitchhiking through South America in the seventies. Nothing is new to him- he has 'seen it all before'.

The first day offers the treasure that is the Bolivian Salt lakes: miles and miles of salt that resembles snowy plains and gives the feeling of being in the Antarctic. Due to rains earlier in the day, the water on the surface creates a mirror-like effect, like walking on transparent glass- it's amazing. “I do the traveller ‘tradition’ and take a backless nude photo and some classy shots in my underwear!

We eat Llama meat for lunch. It's another one of those special moments when I feel truly alive. Though it's cold, wet and the daylight is short, the scenery, clouds and views are magical.

Day two offers an experience that I can only sum up as - how I feel it would be to visit Planet Mars, like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall. We see the famous red lake - Laguna Colorado, thousands of Flamingos’ enormous green fungus growths that are only found at such high altitudes and resemble the 1950's man-eating monster known as the Blob; surreal volcanic rock formations and geysers that lethally spit and bubble their sulphuric gases.

As the facilities on offer during the trip are fairly non-existent, I opt to bathe in the hot springs. It's beautiful to relax and soak in the midst of nature. While I was having the time of my life drinking in the alien sights, Nick suffered greatly. Almost as if he experienced allergic reactions to the cold weather, various body parts including mouth, back, neck and legs began to revolt, leaving him thoroughly depressed and desperate to return to 'civilisation.' Just over a day later we return to city life to relax in Santiago, Chile and my chirpy companion returns, leading the way in seeking out good restaurants, fun night spots and city adventure.....