Until recently we have been dawdling on our way and occasionally have been held back. Now that the end of our trip is fixed, with Colombia offering so many more things to discover and another country waiting for us, we feel a bit rushed, just like on a normal three week vacation. Even if you had months to spend here, there would still be yet another national park and yet another city that you have to see.
We decide to go on a side trip to the southern part of Colombia. To cut some corners we fly to Cali and continue from there to San Agustin. The place is known for its the archeologic stone figures, that can be found in their hundreds. These figures were most likely intended to be guardians to burial sites. There is not a lot that we know about this pre colonial culture. From the funerary goods, in case they haven’t been looted, a few details can be derived. The exact meaning of the figures remains hidden despite the interpretation attempts. Many times hybrid creatures of humans and animals are depicted. The sheer number of figures is impressive, the stone masons have been active for many centuries.
As fascinating as this is for archeology, the reason why we would have loved to stay longer is something else. It’s the lush green hills with slopes that grow coffee, bananas or papaya, the enormous waterfalls und canyons, that cut through the landscape or the picturesque villages with their friendly smiling inhabitants. Our hostel in San Agustin has a roof terrace with hammocks from which you can oversee the village and valley. You could spend a lot of time there relaxing or reading.
Despite the rainy season we have quite beautiful weather. It’s super low season in Colombia. As a consequence we almost only encounter long time travelers. No regular tourist would want to visit the country at a bad time of the year. For us this month is one of the most beautiful to travel Colombia. There are no problems finding budget accommodation, even the more touristy destinations are not over crowded and the locals are relaxed and friendly. Our guide tells us what other activities could be done in the region. Hikes, swimming in water falls or five days on a horse upstream along the river, staying with indigenous people and catching fish for dinner. All that sounds marvelous and we are jealous of other travelers that are still chilling in the hammocks and have lots of time for these kinds of things. For us a very long bus journey lies ahead with a one-night stopover in the Tatacoa desert for star gazing. Not more than that since the onward journey is already organized and booked.
The dear reader should not worry though, our next break for dawdling is already scheduled. Forgive us, by no means can we maintain the pace of a short vacation anymore 😊
