Feb 12, 2020
Photos of wandering around town this morning…
Today I start out late as usual. I have good intentions to leave early and take pictures around town but it doesn’t really happen. I do wake up early but actually leaving the hotel at an early hour seems impossible. I order the fresh breakfast at the hotel – it is quite filling. I gather up my laundry and find local laundromat since my dirty things have been piling up. After dropping off my laundry I start heading towards the trail that I plan to hike today.
For today’s walk I have maps.me and a PDF file on my phone from a blogger who is done a similar hike (there is no good “tourist guide”).
I head to a restaurant to order a sandwich to take on the way. I like to carry a sandwich to be able to stop and eat when I get tired of walking. I find this town has a way of humbling me when it comes to my knowledge of Spanish. Ordering the sandwich is awkward but I eventually put in the order in for a ham and cheese sandwich. Once my sandwich is ready I grab a soda and I’m ready to go.
The hike today is up to La Garrucha where there is a cable car station (I can take the cable car from town and forgo the hike if I want to). The cable car looks suspect (pictures later) so I hike to the lookout by taking the path starting at the yellow bridge at the edge of town.
Once I cross the bridge the beautiful views are non-stop at this point.
The road turns to the right and I start walking uphill. It is pretty warm in the sun so I start my sweating as usual. There are also not any directional signs so I follow maps.me and the advice from the blog.
After a while I catch my first sight of coffee plants. There is a good amount of coffee grown here but the next town I visit is when I will visit a finca (coffee plantation).
Soon I notice that coffee and bananas are companion plants.
Finally I make it to the overlook where I order a coffee at the café and take in the view.
I watch as others take the trip on the cablecar.
I debate taking the cable back down because I am tired from the uphill trip. I chat with some tourists who walked up in the other direction and they tell me the way back is all downhill since we are at the top. The return trip isn’t entirely downhill but yes it is mostly downhill.
The road back contains farms and residences.
I pass by a charming homestay where musicians are playing music outside.
I pass farms and smell the distinct smell of marijuana. I don’t see anyone around so perhaps it is far away.
I come across a field of wooden crosses. Not sure their purpose.
Some switch backs on the road going down hill
I end up passing by a ecological park or homestay (Eco Parque Camino De Piedra).
I come across this beautiful door which I later learn leads to a tunnel that offers private tours.
I cross a bridge and soon after is a stream. People who have taken a horseback tour of the area tie their horses outside a restaurant and take a dip in the water. I sit here and finally eat the sandwich I have brought with me on today’s journey.
After my rest I continue on to where I find a mini-waterfall.
It doesn’t take me long until I reach the short trail that leads me back to town, passing colorful places on the way.
I head back into town and treat myself to a beer and a large dinner.
I seriously love this town.
Growing With Leala 