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About Cartagena and Medellin Ecuador

After visiting the Tayrona National Park, we are 5 miles north east of Santa Marta in the fishing village of Taganga landed. Viewed



From a hill from the place looked very nice. According to guide, he is among the divers and locals. In the patio of the dilapidated hotel Delfin we have found a home for a night. So from above and from below hui Pooh. We found it extremely ugly and noisy here and saw no reason to linger longer.



The next morning, on the way to Cartagena, we stopped in Santa Marta a short stop. Finally, we are now the third time come through this place to have twice seen without the Malecón at all. Due to the early morning hour, the fisherman has laid right next to his catch to sleep.

still sleepy is the place and the few early birds have the beach to yourself.

We did not stay long, we still had a good deal route to go.

Then a real shock. We drive past the worst slums, we have seen in a long time. Ramshackle huts, mud and garbage, garbage as far as the eye. Innumerable small children standing here in the dirt and play in the garbage. The few water bodies are contaminated by the waste total, yet it is washed the clothes. Donkey carts with rickety animals are the means of transportation. All this is a picture of misery.

Shortly after we reached Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias, the name of an already melts on the tongue. Guide is: a fabled fairy-tale town, romantic and genuinely beautiful, a place is addictive. Tellingly, one can not describe Cartagena. Here, everything sparkles, the sea, the sky and the expensive cars. Bigger may not be an opposition more, here are a few kilometers apart worlds.

alone have our parking space in the secure parking behind the Centro de Convenciones was just beautiful with views of the Bahía de las Animas and the old town.

The Old Town, World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is completely surrounded by walls, the Las Murallas . With its construction after several devastating End of the 16 pirate attacks Century started and completion took 200 years.

A short walk took us to the Los Pegasos pass through the Puerta del Reloj (Clock Tower) directly in the historical district.

On the first evening, we have taken a stroll through town and we could see enough to not at all the beautiful old and still extremely well-kept houses. Happy that of one of them calls his own.

are located on the wall, cafes and restaurants because of the beautiful views are all well attended.

Several forts were built at strategic locations outside the walls. The largest the Castillo de San Felipe de Baraja, is what was the next morning first thing on our tour program. In the tunnel system could be run rechelrecht. As we have once again saved the guide, we were able to experience firsthand what it is, almost come to not get out.

From the fort we had a very nice view of the modern Cartagena, with its expensive and chic beach resorts Boca Grande and El Lanuito. Where we could not irritate them at all, could be just as good but the Benidorm.

We are moved back to the old town. There were always discovering new and beautiful places.

We could make hundreds of these pictures.

course Cartagena also has Gold Museum.

The portal of the Palace of the Inquisition in which, inter alia, the Museum of the Inquisition with the gruesome torture instruments that time is.

A typical fruit seller.

Church and Plaza de San Pedro de Claver with metal sculptures in the foreground.

We could linger for weeks in Cartagena, but unfortunately our time is short and we must leave this dream place unfortunately.

find after a long day of driving 370 km we near Caucasia in Parador Chambacú a place to stay and even come to a dip in the pool, which we in the heat, a welcome refreshment. It is also in the night not less than 33 degrees in the camper.
Even the next day's driving day, our goal Medellin. In the absence of a better place, we have asked at a gas station after a Parqueadero and were led by a man to a point. He was not beautiful, but expensive, yet only 10 minutes walk from the center.
Before we could then the next morning to visit the city, was once again announced a repair. The battery holder of Burro was broken on these eternal vibration track. But as always, what is in South America is no problem. The welder of Nebenann comes with his welding equipment and repairs to our parking spot. Not an hour, the action lasted.

in fairness I must say that Cartagena can lose to any other city only. This happened to us with Medellin. We had heard from various locals, this city is beautiful and modern.

So if this had not had Botero of which are provided a number of sculptures on the Plazoleta de las Esculturas and Museo de Antioquia with a further 92 of his works, it would We do not know why we are even here.

Europe with the bull.

Nowhere have we seen more poverty and dirt in the center as found in Medellin and pedestrian areas with all the shopping malls are very much everywhere else.

So we have denied ourselves the second night and are still down in the afternoon, the 70 kilometers inland, Santa Fe de Antioquia . In this town of 12,500 residents large, we have again felt comfortable with all of its beautiful old houses from the colonial period.

Again, there were many churches and cozy places. Although the site is marketed very well what we at the latest on the prices of hotel parking lots and got to feel the campsite.

to all the edible fruit (there are so many different varieties of which we do not even know the names, let alone we could try all) are sometimes not edible, but added atraktive .

Another attraction of the town is the Puente de Occidente , a 291 m long bridge over the

Río Cauca , 5 km east of the city. !!!!! Passable for cars up to 3 tons

In Medellin had been warned us, nor the branch line on the Rio Cauca head towards Santa Rosa, where there are guerrillas. Since we were now uncertain abundance. So we asked the military post, police and the tourist office. All have confirmed to us that we can run the distance safely, the problem was solved with the guerrillas.

We have then taken that route and it was a good choice. First, because we have always avoided the Río Cauca along some high mountains and, secondly, because we were almost alone on the street were. There were some landslides to avoid, but on the whole went quite well on it here and the scenery was very attractive. Bananas, oranges and coffee plantations specific the image. One peasant woman we bought for 12 avocados for the equivalent of 2 Euros. Still, it was almost unbearably hot. In La Pintada we were after 120 miles back on the main route.

From IRRA we could then increase to Santa Rosa de Cabal again from 600 meters to 1,800 meters. Suddenly the weather changed, it rained poured down with rain and the temperature dropped. Even then had to again to the Termales 400 more meters to be climbed on the 9 km.

First we have tried our luck at the hotel Termal. Although we could have used the baths to 24.00 Clock, however, repudiated it, to let us stay in the parking lot.

So we had only to look at the complex with its own 170 m high waterfall.

So we went back to the 2.5 km to the main boiler. There we saw a huge parking lot. Unfortunately we got there, a rejection. It is not allowed to stay at the spa, since it is private property.

The driver of the bus line has tried yet for us to negotiate with the guards, but he had no chance.

So we left nothing further left than it was than one kilometer go back. There, the first hostels were outside of the thermal park.

The Hospedaje card table had to have no problem staying, and so we still got a place with beautiful surroundings, but the baths were done for today. Only the constant rain and the rushing river made us a little worried. Let's get out there tomorrow morning? The stream water has led to the edge and the lawn was already very wet.

The next morning the rain was over and we went to the hotel back down. While we, the owners of the Hospedaje recommended public investment due to this is bigger and nicer, but we had seen yesterday, there was WiFi in the hotel and we wanted to use.

We could buy a ticket but for the day, but got mitgeilt that we are not allowed to leave the area, because then the ticket was invalid. That was then, our beautiful planned to insert a break at noon in the camper. A little sour, we had to accept it. First they let us stay here, and then they continue to so petty. Burro was yet in sight in the parking lot, is that not all leave the area. No matter, we would not let spoil the day. First, have we once enjoyed the wonderfully warm water. Then we enjoyed an excellent massage. I enjoyed it and Bernd groaned. The masseuse has found his equal bad points and tortured him properly. If we are not going to have to pay admission, we indulge in the morning before leaving again.

After lunch, we wanted to use the WiFi. Somehow it did not work. None of the staff could help. So we had the good fortune to meet Luisa. Luisa is the granddaughter of hotel founder, was just here on vacation and speaks excellent German. It has given us then open all doors. First they made sure that we stay in the parking lot can, so we have to fall tomorrow morning just out of bed to go to the massage. Then she has led the security service, to call in the other spa to inform the local security service that we can with our ticket in there and of course we must also always return to the hotel.

Delighted we made our way to the main boiler.

So Spas in South America have something. The warm water is at most only basic equipment. There is always a very nice environment for free. Again, a waterfall.

The plant is designed with four pools very generous. You can even make a little walk in a creek.

Bernd hero is of course entirely under the icy waterfall, so that his masseuse tomorrow has to torment him.

Then we drive back to the hotel and make another try with the WiFi. Since it still does not work out, allows us to use the hotel's computer Luisa.

The next morning the wonderful massage, almost 1 1 / 2 hours it took. After spoiled us with Luisa coffee and cake. And by the way we learn about Barbara, a Dutch who wound up after Colombia. She then immediately invited us to their hacienda, but we can not accept due to time constraints. Oh time, it is 11:00 and the time clock when we leave the area, much too late for our destination Cali.

So we decide to drive around Cali, the millions of cities we have at the moment anyway, no more and stay at nightfall at a gas station somewhere near Pescadores.

Up Popayán it is not too far and we are already there in the morning. During the journey here we are arriving in the dark and there was no way more to visit the city. We want to make up for today. But first, as always, the tiresome search for a safe place for the night. This time we do not stand next to the fair and, if possible, something central.

Even after almost four weeks Colombia we still have our problems with the subdivision by Calles and Carreras. Time and again we must ask the way to the hotel chosen by us to find. Now revenge, that we know the atomic numbers only to 5. Since we will probably still need a little work on it. But sometimes we feel that the locals find themselves unable to cope so well. After some back and forth, we arrived at the Calle 3, between the Carrera 2 and 3 (all understood?) on a Parqueadero over, who had a single room for a large vehicle and it was us.

went after a short break it right in the city tour.

Popayán is also called the white city. In 1537 the city was founded on Holy Thursday, 1983 destroyed (just before the Porzession), by a severe earthquake, many of the historic building. But in two decades, it was rebuilt true to the originals.

First, we passed this prestigious private school.



Here the entrance to the Iglesia de Santo Domingo followed by University

Strangely, just the Easter festival with his procession of Holy Thursday, the aufwendigtste hard throughout the country. The city is gearing up with general renovations. Everywhere is painted and built. Here, even the main square, Parque locked Caldes (the Cathedral in the background) because it is covered with new plaster.


On Río Molino you can see two bridges. The tiny built on the right side, which was Puente de la Custodia 1713th You should allow priests to cross the river to bring the patient in the poor suburbs of the Communion. The Puente del Humilladero was built 160 years later and is still in operation.

from a former Franciscan monastery that was done Luxury Hotel Monasterio Then .

course, we have again visited the market, and purchased from the Indians Guambiano in banana leaves wrapped cream cheese. It is remarkable in their dress, that men not wear trousers, but a sort of blanket around his waist . Who

The next day we drove towards Pasto, circled almost the entire city until we finally found with the help of a friendly taxi driver the way to Laguna de la Cocha had. Signs? This word they know not at all in Colombia.

The road was again a first order bumpy. But even from the height we had a beautiful view

the lagoon.

Here you are all set to tourism. From the lagoon almost nothing is visible, it is still a huge reed beds surrounded and you get nowhere near the water. Only by boat, access is possible. Soon they wanted to lure us for a boat ride, but we have put off until the next day. First we wanted a place to stay. We have then at the last restaurant, located right on the lake shore.

began whirling the rain. We know the rainy season, but must always be when we are somewhere on the water? So we have our camper made comfortable and then eaten in the evening the restaurant serves tasty trout.

morning was the world back in order and Bernd then the boat trip to the Nature Island of La Corota made.

The island is a Lourdes Chapel. Then, a path starts in the rain forest, which should be of particular species rich in fauna and flora. The fauna was poorer, the flora was ok.

Again a nice little flower on the roadside.

The dark road in the rain forest.

After Bernd return we have a tour of the tiny town made. The houses are here to look very nice and are in almost every room rent. But it seems not a season to be, because although Sunday was often only a few tourists here.

The real tourist attraction we were. At times up to thirty people had gathered around our camper, which we have covered with questions. Preferably all times would come to visit clean. Mostly they do not always believe that we have no children. No kids? How can you not have children, but where were the thirty people, almost all from one family.

The next day was our last sightseeing spot in Colombia on the Program. Luisa had made us aware of the Santuario de Las Lajas . Since we had no idea they sent us a short hand information e-mail. Yes, that's so easy nowadays.

Since the sanctuary is located just before ipal and this is the last town before the border is to be offered Las Lajas is an ideal place for the night.

The entrance to the parking lot for trucks blocked. As already signs mean in Colombia? But this time we would have been better on it. The parking lot was packed and ready to film the maneuver. On engestem space, gradient 15%, jostling crowds and drivers, Bernd had displayed the sweat on the forehead (by me, we do not at first talk). The clutch is still stunk hours later.

But where to park now? Again up the hill and Seeking additional locals have no problem with it, somehow managed to let their forecourt for parking. So we not only came to a parking lot in the courtyard, but also a safe place for the night.

The Sanctuary is a neo-Gothic church, built on a bridge over a ravine. In the 18th Century, a portrait of the Virgin Mary have appeared on a stone.

The sanctuary is built against the rock that the portrait adorns the main altar.

all year stream of pilgrims from Colombia and South America here and it should have been some miracles. In any case, can the quantity of votive tablets, which are attached to the street to the church, on the back indicate.

The next day we had only a short walk to the border with Ecuador. Colombia has dismissed us as unproblematic as received. Of course, the short 4 weeks were too short to get a proper overview of the country. We were delighted with the beauty of the country with its beautiful green countryside, the beautiful colonial cities and friendly people. We never had trouble with police or military and the guerrillas and the paramilitaries, we are also spared.

Now we are back in Ecuador and will get the next and last time in Buenos Aires.