On Monday we were able to have a later start as out next destination of Salento was only a short drive away. What I did take the chance to do due to this was to go running with a couple of others in the group as they kept pestering to come with them for ages. It was a nice run although hard work due to hills and the thinner air from the altitude. When we got back breakfast was nearly done which was breakfast burritos. It's funny all this cooking for each other as a few people are competitive and want to make better food than everyone else, which is probably a good thing for me!
After breakfast we had the choice of walking up the hill and meeting the truck or catching the truck up. I walked up for the second time that day after my run. The track was very windy and small so the truck needed treating with respect going up which is why it took so long. It's amazing some of the roads we're fitting the truck down! The drive to Salento was pretty smooth and we arrived there by lunchtime, although in the rain.
Once camp was set up I went and relaxed in a hammock, before going off at half 2 for a walk in the Cocora Valley which was about a half hour drive away. This area is known for having some of the biggest palm trees in the world. At an elevation of 2700m at the start, we hiked up to 2900m, although we couldn't so the loop walk at the weather wasn't great. We still managed to have lots of fun though, despite it being very slippery underfoot. It was sketchy going downhill though as we took an alternative route where we we climbing over barbed fences and going down very steep hills!
We ended up arriving back at camp at about 6 in the dark. As it was halloween night we had organised a Halloween party so before dinner we got some outfits together. Some of the outfits were really good, only being made out bin bags and other materials! I got my face painted and wore some tinsel, although I looked ridiculous. Dinner in the evening was ratatouille and meatballs which was really nice. We then partied into the night although it was another late one!
With a long drive day on Tuesday morning, I ended up getting about 2 hours sleep. Breakfast in the morning was porridge and fruits. There wasn't actually much planned for the day, just get to Popayan, although en route while looking for somewhere to stop for lunch we discovered the town on Villa Rica. You could tell this area wasn't Spanish immigrants but more a settlement of ancestors from the slave trade, and when arriving there was this children's festival on. Everyone was dressed up and when we drove in they were thrilled to see us!
We stayed here for lunch where I had the chicken and rice, although it was so salty. I even bought some mango off the street after and that was covered in salt too so they must like salt there! I then just got involved in the festival although I was basically surrounded by excited children. I don't think they see tourists very often. I got loads of selfies and had some kind of conversation with them, mainly about football.
When leaving we were chased down the road, and made the last push to Popayan, where we arrived like 4. We actually made really time as the roads were basically all dual carriageway on good surfaces unlike some of the roads we've had! We arranged to meet at half 7 for dinner, so I just relaxed. It my turn to have own room as well. Dinner was the pizza where I had this curry pizza which was very interesting! I then had an early night as I was exhausted after the previous night.
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