After the emotional rollercoaster of the Lost City (I loved every minute by the way, it was challenging, but in the good way, and the views… I would do it again in a heartbeat) we were dropped off back at Santa Marta and got a cab out to Minca. After the exploits of the trek we wanted a few days of rest and relaxation, and heard Minca was beautiful and chilled.
We arrived after dark, got some food (a burrito type thing but with a thin omelette instead of a tortilla (8/10)), and spent the evening in a bar playing (fancy gold) cards. I can’t remember who won, but it was probably me.
Minca is relatively small but well setup for backpackers, and hippies. And hippy backpackers. The main attractions are the waterfalls and coffee farm (is it a coffee ‘farm’? Dunno, I’m going with it) so after a slow start on day one we made our way to Cascada de Marinka. Ideally it would have been a bit closer but after an hour or so of uphill walking we were there.
It was pretty, a bit busy, and a bit small, but really nice. We had an ice cold dip and made the long journey back for dinner.
We intended to squeeze a little more out of day two so the plan was to visit the coffee farm and then hit another waterfall.
Truly and completely over the act of walking we decided a motorbike taxi would be best for the way up, and then an easy downhill walk back. I’ve ridden on the back of a motorbike before, I’ve been on bumpy roads before, but the first 10 minutes or so on the back of the bike were bloody terrifying. I eventually got over it, fumbled around for my camera and got some shaky video so not all bad. We arrived at the coffee farm and spent 15 minutes or so contemplating our near death experience before getting signed up for the tour. La Victoria coffee farm was built in the late 1800’s, by some Brits I believe, and most of the original machinery is still in use, which made the whole thing pretty interesting. It’s all quite literal, people pick the coffee here, it gets washed here, water pressure sends it up this tube, this sorts the beans etc… I thoroughly enjoyed it.
We got an immense club sandwich from the cafe and a beer which was brewed next door at Nevada Cerveceria. I wanted to take a look at the brewery too but forgot… Cool story.
A 45 minute walk took us to Pozo Azul, a slightly bigger and slightly more busy waterfall. It was nice.
45 minute walk back to the hotel and we jumped in a cab to the less developed seaside town of Taganga. Some of the homies we met on the tour were still there and catching up for drinks so we checked in to our hostel and went and met with them.
The first red light should have been the list of dates of birth we saw when signing the guestbook but we’d accidentally stumbled upon a young person hostel ?. When we got back from the drinks !loud! music was playing in the outside bar so we sat and played Jenga until the music calmed down.
I can’t remember who won, but it was probably me.
The hostel was actually lovely, probably the best place we’ve stayed but c’mon guys, just turn the music down a bit.
Day two in Taganga was spent on the beach ,and eating pizza… Sometimes both at the same time. Taganga is cool. Unpaved streets, restaurants, bars, gift shops, and a relatively nice beach. Colombian’s seem to bloody love a holiday so everywhere was packed which just added to a fun buzz whenever we went. M spent some of her time looking to buy a bag and I spent most of the day complaining about the potential noise when we got back to the hostel.
When we got back to the hostel I was so tired the loud music didn’t even slightly bother me. Being old has it’s advantages.
In order to get a little closer to the airport and to see somewhere else on the coast we spent the last day in Rodadero, I still have no idea how it’s pronounced but I managed to explain it to the cabbie eventually. Rod-a-da-ria I think but it would seem you need to say it very fast…
And M finally bought a mochila bag while we were there. They’re traditional around these parts and are used by tourists and locals alike. Fetching! Anyway…
7am flight, we’re going back to school! Spanish school in Medellín starts Monday. Hopefully I’ll learn how to pronounce Rodadero… And I’ll try and learn a few new English adjectives if I have time