29 March to 1 April 2017 - San Gil and Barichara (Colombia)

Getting up to leave very early for another place is very wearing now.

The truck after an early start

This morning it was up at 0410 hours to leave at 0500 hours, no breakfast but eat on the truck later if the stomach could take it as the road climbed and fell with huge mountain ranges to cross and large steep valleys to look down into. Climbing up the mountain roads was slow and we were getting to be later then expected so Adam phoned ahead to the La Pacha Camping Site to arrange for a meal to be ready for us.

When we arrived at the gate to the site at 1900 hours there was a tree blocking access so some branches had to be sawn off.. Then the road into the site was not suitable for the truck so all our gear had to be carried about 300 metres to the camping area. By now it had started raining again so some of those who were to have put up tents decided to pay extra and sleep in yurts or share large ready put up tents. I had a yurt to myself. Food was supplied a little later, a vegetarian curry, then the owner of the site described what could be done in the area while we were there. Most then went to bed early.

The camp site was on an old property with orchards
(kind of run down) goats and various sleeping places such a s yurts, tents, hammocks, a hanging bed and an old camper van set out as a lounge area. The couple who run the place wanted to live a vegetarian and environment friendly lifestyle. They employed passing backpackers for a few weeks to look after the animals and do general work around the property in return for bed and board. It was certainly a peaceful place, cold showers were generally the rule and the owners were very helpful, even offered me a lift one time though I was going in the opposite direction.

Lounge area with TV and library

The yurt

    

Inside the yurt

 
   Inside the lounge vehicle

After a good sleep in the yurt bed I went by local bus (just hold out the hand and they stop anywhere) to the town of Barichara where everything seems to be built of stone, the houses, church and streets. There did not appear to be much to do there but I walked round, saw the church which had a very sloping floor with the alter at the highest point and generally enjoyed the quiet of the place. The town is supposed to be famous for it's artisan population and though I saw some f the work most places were closed.

Views of Barichara

The church of Santa Barbara La Palsia

Inside the church

The church floor

Inside the church

The following morning I went into San Gill, the opposite direction to Barichara, and although it was a bigger town it did not have much appeal, it was just a busier town. As there was a thunderstorm while I was there I went to have lunch in the courtyard of a restaurant only to be asked to move as i would get wet with the rain. The courtyard was covered but not enough as i saw when everything in the courtyard was wet. 

Views of the Cathedral Parroquia Santa Cruz

On 1 April (no-one thought of April Fools Day) we left San Gil at 0600 hours and returned partly the way we came over the mountains to lower levels passing huge orchards of tropical fruit, large green forests, many fish farms and sunny, humid and warm weather to arrive at Mompox. We actually arrived in the town at 1900 hours but due to the narrow streets and low telephone wires (even going down a street where trucks were banned) it took another hour to reach the hotel, the Casa Armaril. A quick look round which seemed to show a disappointing place, but how I was so wrong when I saw it in daylight, then a bit of food out on the street and to bed.