After an exhausting nightbusride from Bogota to Armenia (10pm-5.30am), we needed to take another smaller bus to Salento. This last ride only took one hour. The entire trip went smoothly, we didn't miss any bus or didn't have to wait long for the next one. For traveling from Bogota to Salento, I suggest you go with Bolivariano. Their buses are very comfortable, you have a tv-screen and wifi on board. A one-way ticket costs about β¬17.
So, once we arrived in Salento, we went looking for our hostel, La Estrella de Agua. It's a small picturesque hostel very near to the town square. Even tough checking in is only possible from 1pm, they let us in our room. An hour later they kicked us out again...we had to change rooms. I didn't mind that much, but Jelle had completely unpacked already, he was less happy about it. They made a mistake and gave us a wrong room, the new room was just next to the reception, so it was quite secure Γ‘nd we didn't have to walk up and down the stairs every time. I'm pretty sporty, but after a 6 hour hike I don't think you still want to climb stairs.
Since it was only 7am, it was time for breakfast. We went to the only place that looked open the "Brunch Diner". The owner, Jeff - an American - and his staff, were the only ones in town that spoke English. We enjoyed some very delicious dishes like fresh fruit with yoghurt and granola, pancakes, waffles, omelets, salads, chili con carne and the special of the day: bread bowl of soup. All fingerlickin' good! Oh, I almost forgot to mention the state of the art peanutbutter brownie! Oh my...!
After our breakfast Jeff started to give us loads of information about the area and helped us to plan our activities during our stay. It is admirable with how much pleasure and passion he keeps repeating all this info to every new traveler that enters his shop. I think Jeff liked us. π
Why? Just because we are so sweet or maybe because we shared a love of making our own peanutbutter. He told us about a treasurehunt! He had hidden 2 objects on top of the Mirador (a viewpoint). We searched every little path up there until we found the little hut he was talking about. Then we had to look for something...
TADA!
The reward was one of his famous peanutbutter brownies with vanilla icecream on top. Mmmmm!
After a tour around the town, I was surprisingly still quite awake and active. Me and Liesje decided to go on a horsebackriding tour to the Santa Rita waterfall. Jelle wasn't that excited about climbing a horse, so he took a nap instead.
I was so excited for this! It was like 17 years ago that I sat on a horse! I used to love it!
The first 20mins of the road towards the waterfall was scary! It was slippery because it had just rained and the horses had to go down a oah full of big rocks. I thought my horse would trip and fall and take me down with it. I was holding my breath with every step he took. When we reached the main street, I could breath again and finally start enjoying the ride. Our view was spectacular! We even crossed 2 rivers by horse. The water was not that deep...though I did have wet toes π
We arrived at the waterfalls just in time! It started raining heavily afterwards - like everyday apparently!
Hereafter we took another way back home, we were riding on the main road in between trafic. My horse got either tired of me and wanted to end the trip very soon or he got used to me and wanted me to have fun. When the road cleared - no cars or motorcycles - he started to gallop like crazy! I have to admit that I had loads of fun! When I'm back home I want to resume this old hobby.
We got dropped off right in front of the hostel, lucky us! My knees were so sore, I thought I wouldn't be able to walk for days!
The next day we were going to hike to the Valle de Cocora.
Labels: Colombia, food, Hotspots, nature
