The Moto Wanderer: Viva Colombia Day 3 - Un vuelo into nature (7/31/16)

After having breakfast in the hostel, we grab a cab to the airport and realize on the way that on Sundays, many of the highways and other street lanes close down so that people have exercise highways; there were people running, biking, rollerblading, etc. down these streets where cars would normally be and it was amazing to see. People were out and about on the trails normally, but this, this was such a sight to see coming from a city that has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. Bogota - you win this one :). Get to the airport and realize that it is a small airport (intranational airport) as there is not as big of planes coming in and out (our plane is a 2 propeller puddle jumper). Not knowing how small it was and the limited traffic it sees, we got through security (I miss these days - we walked through the metal detector with a coffee drink in hand and they were just like yep go on through). Eventually we walk out to the stairs to board our plane and head out to Manizales.

First thing we see out the back of the hostel. We can get used to this.

Panoramic pic of the view from the hostel.

Hawk soaring up above.

Valley down below. Mountains for days!

Eric taking some pictures of the pretty awesome view.

Assorted houses built on the ridges of the valley.

Beautiful butterfly in the garden out back.

Cats in Colombia = Cats everywhere else in the world = sleep machines

Apparently the dog wants to be like the cat.

The approach into the city is beautiful as we are surrounded by forests and mountains and then there is the city which is built among the mountains on all kinds of slopes. Finally land and the airport here is a fraction of the size of the one we just left (hard to imagine I know), but being nestled in the mountains with the feel of nature being right there, definitely a great pick for the trip. Go get in the taxi line and eventually find a driver who knows where our hostel is and will take us; turns out it is outside of town a bit in a small outer town. Our driver is driving around and the ups and downs make for some beautiful scenery looking out over valleys and villages below. Get into the small town where our hostel is located, and he has to go up this road that is steep AF!! (the car struggles to make it up). Get to the hostel (Mirador Finca Morrogacho) and drop our bags in the room and take the tour real fast and hang out with some other travelers for a little bit before having some lunch at the hostel (amazing home-cooked meal which I believe the first meal at the hostel is free). After lunch, we take the dog for a long walk down to the waterfall at the bottom of the valley (this house is on top of the mountain hahaha) as the dog is our guide (he loves going there and goes every day so why not? :) ). I thought the road to the house was steep; I was proved wrong. This path to the waterfall is just one long, steep, straight foot path down the mountain/hill that has a few turns to avoid running into a house. We eventually make our way down there, and as is customary when I hike to a body of water, I strip down to my underwear and I jump in and swim around. Dog (name is escaping me) comes in for a little bit but since it is cold, doesnt have much interest in staying in. Once I have my fill, I get out, dry off my feet, and we head back up. We get back to the house after that long steep hike up and realize I am more wet after the hike than when I jumped into the waterfall's pool.

Little foot path. This must be the way.

We are down in the valley and we can look up from the place where we have walked down from. No turning back now.

Anyone want to take a break for a cup of joe?

Eric is concerned as I am no where to be found. I guess I should try and keep up.

I emerge from the bushes having found my way back to Eric and the guide.

Alright I have caught up lets go!

Eric pushing on to find the waterfall. We are in the water so we are close.

Nice little waterfall. Lets check it out.

Eric - "We made it! I am the greatest!!!!" Not really what he said but posing like that, he might as well :)

Alright lets check out this pool of water. Dog trying to warn me not to go in.

Ahh a nice natural shower... well worth the walk down.

The dog and I splashing around in the water.

Im gunna get you!!!

Dog and I in the water

Alright now we start our trek back up. Lets hope the dog knows the way back as well :)

Definitely a work out. Get to the top and hang out a little bit while we watch the sunset, which with this view, is absolutely stunning (we took pictures each day of it as I just couldnt get enough of it). After the sun disappears, we shower with the warm water (a nice change from the iffy showers from the hostel in Bogota) and then meet the people at the table for dinner (nice home-cooked veggie dinner). After dinner, we talked to our host, Majid - great guy with a couple good stories to tell if you get him talking, about some options around the city before walking to the town for some dessert with some of our new friends (one guy who was living at the hostel working remotely, and a lady who has been traveling for like 5 months through South/Central America).