ATACAMA - EXTREME JEEPING THROUGH MIRAGES!

January, 14.
We have hired a jeep 4х4 Nissan with an open luggage carrier. Naturally, we wanted to leave as soon as possible, approximately at 10 a.m.. But we were engaged still in purchases and have left only about 1 p.m... It was necessary to take with us additional canisters with gasoline. In Atacama desert there is no refuelling. So one of the most fascinating adventures in my life began.

Through Atacama desert it is possible to go in two ways. One of them where lorries go. We have chosen the second road, it is road through lake Santa-Rosa. But there very much confusing system of roads. We just could not understand, where the basic road, where branches. In result some times we should came back. Hardly we made the way to other edge of desert.
At one moment I and Boris we have precisely seen before itself a big lake. This lake was not on a map. We went to it, but it did not come nearer. And suddenly we have understood, that it is a mirage. We did not see mirages before, therefore we were literally shocked. It is difficult for describing, but we clearly saw not only a water surface, but small islands, green lagoons, a coastal line. A bit later the picture of a mirage suddenly began to be broken into any uniform rectangulars, parted by matches. A fantastic view. We went further and when have come nearer we have seen, that it is simple columns of an electric main. It goes along the main road which was just necessary for us. We at last came on the basic road and to a sunset we have reached a final goal of our trip. It is the Atacama Refuge, at height of 4200 meters. Where we have established tents and were well placed.