Next stop … Colombia! Transporting our bikes from our Hostel to the bike shop in Medellin! Transporting our bikes from our Hostel to the bike shop in Medellin! Minorista Market, Medellin Minorista Market, Medellin Minorista Market, Medellin Guayaba = Guava Inside of a Guayaba (Guava) Tomate de Arbol = Tree Tomato Inside of a Tomate de Arbol (Tree Tomato) Lulo = Little Orange Inside of a Lulo (Little Orange) Chontaduro = Peach Palm Chontaduro = Peach Palm You need to boil and peel Chontaduro (Peach Palm). The Colombians like to eat them with honey and salt! Minorista Market, Medellin, Colombia Inside of a Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit) Guanabana = Soursop Uchuva = Cape Gooseberry Uchuva = Cape Gooseberry Mangostino = Mangosteen Inside of a Mangostino (Mangosteen) Feijoa = Guavasteen Inside of a Feijoa (Guavasteen) Passionfruit at Minorista Market, Medellin There are 4 different kinds of passionfruit in Colombia! Curuba = Banana Passion Fruit Inside of a Curuba (Banana Passion Fruit) Inside of a Maracuya (Yellow Passion Fruit) Exotic Fruit Tour with Real City Tours, Medellin! Arepa Stall (Arepa is the bread of choice in Colombia) Arepa Stall (Arepa is the bread of choice in Colombia) David in the herb alley, Minorista Market, Medellin The tour ended with a yummy fruit juice! Taking the cable car to Arvi Park, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Our very healthy lunch at Arvi Park, Medellin Views from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Views of Medellin from the cable car, Medellin Medellin’s amazing cable car, Medellin Medellin’s amazing cable car, Medellin Plaza Botero, Medellin One of the fabulous sculptures by Colombian artist Fernando Botero, Plaza Botero, Medellin More wonderful sculptures by Fernando Botero, Plaza Botero, Medellin More wonderful sculptures by Fernando Botero, Plaza Botero, Medellin Plaza Botero, Medellin Stunning Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture, Plaza Botero, Medellin Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture, Plaza Botero, Medellin Visit to a shrine patronised by Pablo Escobar’s drug cartel, Medellin Visit to a shrine patronised by Pablo Escobar’s drug cartel, Medellin The house where Pablo Escobar was killed, Medellin View from the cemetery where Pablo Escobar is buried, Medellin View from the cemetery where Pablo Escobar is buried, Medellin Pablo Escobar’s grave, Medellin The cemetery where Pablo Escobar is buried, Medellin On our way to the Alto de Minas pass On our way to the Alto de Minas pass On our way to the Alto de Minas pass On our way to the Alto de Minas pass Camping on our first night out of Medellin, Alto de Minas pass We were very happy to be camping again! Alto de Minas pass David and Tobi at our campsite, Alto de Minas pass Our neighbours for the night! Alto de Minas pass Making friends! Alto de Minas pass Alto de Minas pass at dusk Our campsite at dusk, Alto de Minas pass Our campsite at dusk, Alto de Minas pass We camped behind this excellent restaurant and were given a FREE breakfast in the morning!! Alto de Minas pass Our campsite above the restaurant, Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Nasty crash! Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass, Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Views on our descent from the Alto de Minas pass Jo waving to the passing cars – everyone was so friendly in Colombia! Jo enjoying the long descent from the Alto de Minas pass Enjoying a juice and the free wifi in La Pintada! Views on the way to Irra Views on the way to Irra Andre on the way to Irra Views on the way to Irra Beautiful views in the coffee region On our way to Manizales – it was pretty much uphill for 18kms from here! On our way to Manizales A female cyclist from Manizales joined us on our climb up to Manizales Jo on the way up to Manizales Look out for cyclists! Colombia is super bike friendly David on the way up to Manizales Views on the way to Manizales Views on the climb up to Manizales Views on the climb up to Manizales The road to Manizales Lunch stop on the way to Manizales Views on the climb up to Manizales Jo on the way up to Manizales Views on the climb up to Manizales Views on the climb up to Manizales Views on the climb up to Manizales Views on the climb up to Manizales Nearly there …. 1km to go to Manizales! David and Andre took a downhill MTB tour with Kumanday from the edge of Nevado del Ruiz (4050m) back to Manizales Views of Nevado del Ruiz, near Manizales The boys ready to hit the downhill, Nevado del Ruiz, near Manizales Views of Manizales from Nevado del Ruiz Views of Manizales from Nevado del Ruiz Cool street art, Manizales The amazing Monumento a los Colonizadores, a sculpture depicting the progression of the people from Medellin to Manizales and the hardships they endured, Manizales The amazing Monumento a los Colonizadores, a sculpture depicting the progression of the people from Medellin to Manizales and the hardships they endured, Manizales The amazing Monumento a los Colonizadores, a sculpture depicting the progression of the people from Medellin to Manizales and the hardships they endured, Manizales The amazing Monumento a los Colonizadores, a sculpture depicting the progression of the people from Medellin to Manizales and the hardships they endured, Manizales Andre, Jo and Tobi and the Monumento a los Colonizadores Andre, Jo and Tobi and the Monumento a los Colonizadores Iglesia de Chipre, Manizales Iglesia de Chipre, Manizales View from the Iglesia de Chipre, Manizales View from the Iglesia de Chipre, Manizales Templo Del Sagrado Corazon Los Agustinos, Manizales Templo Del Sagrado Corazon Los Agustinos, Manizales Inside the Templo Del Sagrado Corazon Los Agustinos, Manizales Statue outside the Templo Del Sagrado Corazon Los Agustinos, Manizales Templo Del Sagrado Corazon Los Agustinos, Manizales Catedral Basilica Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Manizales Inside the Catedral Basilica Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Manizales Inside the Catedral Basilica Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Manizales The Bolivar-Condor statue, Plaza de Bolívar, Manizales The Bolivar-Condor statue, Plaza de Bolívar, Manizales Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Manizales Inside the Iglesia de la Inmaculada concepcion, Manizales Centro Comercial Parque Caldas, Manizales Jo went on a coffee tour at Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Learning about the coffee process – from bean to cup! Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Roasting some coffee beans! We had free, unlimited coffee – it was SO good!!! This is how your cup of coffee starts out …. coffee berries! Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Touring the coffee farm at Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Touring the coffee farm at Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Touring the coffee farm at Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Touring the coffee farm at Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Touring the coffee farm at Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Touring the processing plant, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales The beans are washed in these big containers, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Our guide explains the drying process, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Touring the processing plant, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Our guide showing us the ovens where the beans are dried, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales The huge ovens, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Sacks for coffee beans, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Sacks of coffee beans ready for sale, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Coffee beans! Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales The Guest House, Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Beautiful gardens at Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales Peacocks are a sign of wealth in Colombia – Hacienda Venecia had several! Hacienda Venecia, near Manizales On the road to Pereira A hearty Colombian lunch! Views of Pereira Views of Pereira Taking a break before descending into Pereira Hiking through Valley de Cocora, near Salento Hiking through Valley de Cocora, near Salento David on the hike through the Valley de Cocora, near Salento We crossed numerous wooden bridges like this! Valley de Cocora, near Salento David crossing one of the numerous bridges! Valley de Cocora, near Salento One of the wooden bridges, Valley de Cocora, near Salento David on the hike through the Valley de Cocora, near Salento Views on our hike through the Valley de Cocora, near Salento Parts of the hike were full of mud … Views on our hike through the Valley de Cocora, near Salento We paid $5 to visit the Acaime Hummingbird Reserve, Valley de Cocora, near Salento Hummingbirds! Acaime Hummingbird Reserve, Valley de Cocora, near Salento Hummingbirds! Acaime Hummingbird Reserve, Valley de Cocora, near Salento Acaime Hummingbird Reserve, Valley de Cocora, near Salento David hiking up to “La Montana”, Valley de Cocora, near Salento Hiking up to “La Montana”, Valley de Cocora, near Salento “La Montana”, Valley de Cocora, near Salento Views from “La Montana”, Valley de Cocora, near Salento “La Montana”, Valley de Cocora, near Salento Jo at “La Montana”, Valley de Cocora, near Salento Stunning views on the descent into the Valley de Cocora, near Salento Beautiful views while hiking through the Valley de Cocora Valley de Cocora Valley de Cocora Valley de Cocora Valley de Cocora David descending into the Valley de Cocora, near Salento David descending into the Valley de Cocora, near Salento Jeeps transport hikers between Salento and Valley de Cocora Jeeps transport hikers between Salento and Valley de Cocora The main square in Salento Enjoying a delicious lunch at Beta Town after the hike, Salento Yum – grilled chicken breast with fried cassava roots, Beta Town Bar & Grill, Salento One of the best burgers ever! Beta Town Bar & Grill, Salento Colourful buildings in Salento Mmmm …. a dessert shop! Salento Colourful buildings in Salento Street performers in Salento Colourful buildings in Salento Colourful buildings in Salento The colourful streets of Salento The colourful streets of Salento Colourful buildings in Salento Colourful buildings in Salento Colourful buildings in Salento Colourful buildings in Salento Time for an afternoon nap! Salento The view from our morning coffee stop at El Parisino on our way to La Paila David enjoying the view from El Parisino Views on the way to La Paila David on the way to La Paila Views on the way to La Paila We cycled past fields of corn and sugar cane on the way to Popayan Jo cycling towards one of the many toll booths – bikes pass for free Enjoying some wonderful fresh fruit juices! Enjoying some wonderful fresh fruit juices! Enjoying some wonderful fresh fruit juices! A well deserved lunch – pork and platano fritters Views on the way to La Paila Views on the way to La Paila Views on the way to Buga Views on the way to Buga David on the way to Buga Views on the way to Buga Jo on the way to Buga It was hot and humid on the way to Buga Iglesia San Francisco, Buga Historic streets of Buga Catedral de San Pedro, Buga Park across from the Catedral de San Pedro, Buga Señor de los Milagros Basilica in Buga David and the Señor de los Milagros Basilica in Buga Jo and David and the Señor de los Milagros Basilica in Buga Inside the Señor de los Milagros Basilica, Buga Inside the Señor de los Milagros Basilica, Buga Inside the Señor de los Milagros Basilica, Buga Inside the Señor de los Milagros Basilica, Buga Buga’s lighthouse! Señor de los Milagros Basilica in Buga Buga Hostal, Buga On the road to Santander de Quilichao On the road to Santander de Quilichao On the road to Santander de Quilichao On the road to Santander de Quilichao Views on the way to Popayan Views on the way to Popayan Catedral Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Popayan Inside the Catedral Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Popayan Parque Caldas, Popayan Parque Caldas, Popayan Parque Caldas, Popayan Park Life Hostel, Popayan Views from our hostel in Popayan – Park Life Hostel Clock Tower, Popayan One of the many beautiful churches in Popayan Historic streets of Popayan – the “White City” Iglesia San Francisco, Popayan Pineapple anyone? Popayan David enjoying some pineapple on the streets of Popayan Beautiful historic architecture in Popayan Beautiful Popayan Puente Del Humilladero, Popayan Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Popayan Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Popayan On the way to El Bordo On the way to El Bordo On the way to El Bordo On the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo Taking a break from the climbing for some fresh orange juice! For safety, we followed the Pan American Highway through Colombia Well kept roadside shrine on the way to El Bordo Well kept roadside shrine on the way to El Bordo Taking a breather on the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo View from above the mountain town of Rosas Jo crossing a bridge on the way to El Bordo Jo on one of the many climbs to El Bordo Jo on one of the many climbs to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo Views on the way to El Bordo On the way to El Bordo We stopped to watch a local soccer match in El Bordo On the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Jo enjoying the long descent from El Bordo On the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Local house on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez On the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Cattle crossing!!! On the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Views on the way to Pueblito El Tablon Gomez Homemade blackberry helados (ice-cream)! Views on the way to Pasto – we are definitely in the Andes now! Views on the way to Pasto Views on the way to Pasto Views on the way to Pasto Views on the way to Pasto A typical Colombian lunch – chicken, 3 types of carbs (rice, fries and platano) and lentils! David’s bike stand finally gave up on the way to Pasto – 60 kgs was clearly a bit too much weight! Views on the way to Pasto Road side shrine on the way to Pasto Yum – homemade “coconut” ice-cream Views on the way to Pasto Views on the way to Pasto We saw this lovely rainbow on our way to Pasto Taking a break before the final ascent to Pasto Our first glimpse of Pasto Our first glimpse of Pasto We cycled out of Pasto on a little dirt track! Beautiful views on the way to San Juan Beautiful views on the way to San Juan Views on the way to San Juan Views on the way to San Juan Tobi on the way to San Juan More lovely views on the way to San Juan Beautiful river views on the way to San Juan Views on the way to San Juan The stunning Las Lajas Sanctuary, a basilica church built within the canyon of the Guáitara River The Las Lajas Sanctuary, a basilica church built within the canyon of the Guáitara River The Las Lajas Sanctuary, a basilica church built within the canyon of the Guáitara River The Las Lajas Sanctuary, a basilica church built within the canyon of the Guáitara River The Las Lajas Sanctuary Statue outside of the Las Lajas Sanctuary Statue outside of the Las Lajas Sanctuary The Las Lajas Sanctuary Inside the Las Lajas Sanctuary Inside the Las Lajas Sanctuary The Cascada, Las Lajas Sanctuary David can’t wait to try Cuy – Guinea Pig!! 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