Salento - a lush mountain paradise

Finally left Bogota after a very,very big night with the hostel crew that involved the local rum and the other stuff that begins with c. Am getting way too old for this but when in rome i guess...Can understand why so many aussies can´t leave that great town and its abundance.

Shared overnight bus with some over `Bogota Escapees' to Armenia (Colombia), arriving at the very wrong hour of 4:30am. Then a short bus ride to the gorgeous Salento situated on a plateau surrounded by mountains and some of the lushest and greenest valleys i have ever seen. The town is small, untouristy and super friendly. People actually come up to us and thank us for visiting their town and country. No wonder Colombia was voted number 2 for having the happiest people (src: mum). The ´Plantation Hostel' ison a ridge overlooking a valley 10 mins walk from the centre. Its run by a super friendly English Tim and his colombian wife.
Yesterday a group of us went for a great hike through some stunning cloudforest at a nearby town called Cocora to see the 40m wax palms that are unique to this area. Tomorrow poss off for a 3 day hike to a 5000m volcano. Bring it on!

Last night a group of us from the hostel went out to play ´Tajeo´. Basically u have to ´throw a metal disc at a clay target several metres away and get points on how close u get to the target. There is also paper envelopes filled with gun powder pasted on a metal ring in the clay and if u hit them the right way..BOOM!!..Interesting and original. The locals playing on the full size ring were very impressive. One of crew is a journalist and is going to do a story on it. I want to bring it back home...Though could have some trouble getting it passed by the police and licensing and gaming authorities, not too mention work place health and safety! U don´t actually get charged to play the game but are expected to buy a few beers. Our crew bought beers and the evil aquadente, a local version of sambucca.

Sorry there are no photos on this post. Unfortunately i managed to get my camera wet so couldn´t take pix. This is after accidentally sitting on it in Bogota and killing the lcd screen! I could still take photos before yesterday without seeing what i was taking! 3 cameras in 1 year! Might be going back to disposables afer this! I´m drying it out now so hopefully it can be brought back to life.

Ok time to get away from the computer and to take a leisurely stroll around town.

Chow,
Global tripper!