We visited Minka, an “eco-village” in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
At our lodge, there were lots of Hummingbirds which came to feed on the sugary water provided.
Ronnie, Tim, and Rob hired mountain bikes and got hot and sweaty cycling up the steep dirt road to a waterfall. It turns out it was the same one we were to visit much more easily by 4×4 the next day.
The next day we took some Toyota Landcruisers up the dirt roads into the mountains.
We stopped at the authentic, organic “La Victoria” coffee plantation.
The original machinery is still working. It was built in Britain in the 1800’s and shipped to Colombia. It was laboriously transported by horse up paths into the mountains as there were no (dirt) roads then.
The power for the plant is generated by a water turbine. This also generates power for the factory and the workers’ houses.
We took a short walk to a waterfall for a dip to cool off.
We then headed to Taganga, a very old fishing port. It was really just for some beachside fun.
Next day we took a sweaty hike into the Tayrona National Park. We had a swim in the sea to cool down.
The park is “owned” and managed by the indigenous people. We bought some coconut juice from them.
Next stop was Santa Marta for one last night. Santa Marta is the oldest Spanish settlement in Colombia, and the second oldest in South America.
We went to see the house where Simon Bolivar passed away. Simon Bolivar led the fight for independence from Spain in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, Bolivia, etc.
Apologies for the lack of photos of Santa Marta – must have got distracted.
