On another planet

One of my absolute highlights so far was our departure from Salento to Murillo. Murillo itself is a winning place with limited attractions - therefore but many watched cowboys. The Highlight though is the surroundings which was really AMAZING - also because we were over 4000 Meters here and the air is actually already a bit down. We were both not that far up yet and have arrived Kopfweh, gotta say thank you gave it out tea from coke leaves - that helped a lot.

From Murillo we visited the "Termales de Cabaña", a cozy place on a finca, with a very friendly and cool countryside, or to put it in simple words "it felt like we were on another planet" - cool, that you just got here with the Bus! On the combined boats watch strawberries, fluffy AND stacky fountains, the most waters speak as the most hydrants and therefore for all living things in terms of great significance. They watch only about 1 cm per year and are often more than a hundred years at a time, so they stand under a string of nature shoes. Near the friars there was a black lagoon and the stream of the 7 colors. Pretty cool, right? The Volcan del Ruiz, the second highest peak in Colombia, is also called, because it has many thermal volcanoes in the process. The stream of 7 colors is determined by the high sedimentation and the particular bacterial composition of the waters that are therefore sorry that bunch of mosquitoes carry around the stream. Although the geruch was practical, the country was doing well.

The next day we had no desire to take the bus for 6 hours, but wanted to delay our second time; then "Thermals the Siphon" Also decide we, per anhalter to carry. After about a quarter of an hour on a very deserted street with lots of pets and motorways, but practically no cars, we did then run into two Gringos in the car alongside a lovely family who certainly had a spa. You find our way to travel inspiring and ask us many questions. The highlight though was that they asked at any point to take photos - there is a bus schedule not here. So we were treated to a lovely photoshoot with lots of views. Pipi thinks that driving on this street was the best car of his life!!!

The thermals el sifón that the family brought to us were really hot thermals, the cutest and most natural I have ever seen. A hot stream in the middle of nature, nothing more. Originally we planned to stay only 1-2 hours there, but we spent the whole night there, couldn't relax. The place was so special, the water so close, and we were assuming we were there most of the time alone. The park watch then usually took us into the next big city of Manizales, as we had of course (already) missed the bus.

We actually had no major problems in Manizales, but were met positively! The town is so high that you can still see the end at the beginning. Inside the City Parks, which are so wild that you feel like you are in the desert. And the people are unbelievably friendly! Manizales is also called the city of the opening tour - because hospitality is booming here.

In Manizales we tried couchsurfing for the first time on this trip. The experience was... exhilarating. They included 4 dogs, 3 cats and a Newborn. Our Guest Andres, an interesting guy, quit his classic 9-5 job and now offers workshops on Yoga, Self-Employment and vegan cooking in his home. His son describes a vegan restaurant as "Riskantes Schaf". Of course he was neat, at least he was there, in monologue to save and bring us closer to his anticapitalist boat company. (Thanks, I know materials aren't paramount - I'm currently living out of a backpack) He seems not to be too interested in us and our discussions. It was a thrilling experience though.

Bussi Baba

On another planet

One of my absolute highlights so far was our trip from Salento to Murillo. Murillo itself is a small town with limited attractions, but with many authentic cowboys. However, the highlight is the setting, which was truly STUNNING. We were at over 4000 meters altitude and the air is thinner. Neither of us had been that high before and it gave us headaches, thankfully there was enough coca leaf tea, which helps quite a bit.

From Murillo, we visited the "Cabin Thermals", a sheltered area on a farm, with a very strange and great landscape, or as Pipi said "it feels like we're on another planet" - great that you can get here by bus ! Throughout the property grow Puffins, hairy AND thorny plants, which store more water than most hydrants and are therefore of great importance to all the creatures in the area. They grow only around 1 cm a year and are often several hundred years old, so they are strictly protected. In addition to the Puffins, there was also a black lagoon and the river of the 7 colors. Pretty cool, right? The Volcán del Ruiz, the second highest peak in Colombia, just next door, ensures that there is plenty of thermal water in the area. The 7-colored river is formed by the high sulfur content and special composition of water bacteria, which cause colorful mosses to grow around the river. Although the smell was something to get used to, the scenery was even more beautiful.

The next day, we were reluctant to take the bus at 6am, but still wanted to get to our second destination; the "Thermals the Siphon" So we decided to hitchhike. After waiting around an hour on a very deserted road, where lots of horses and motorcycles passed but practically no cars, we were finally picked up by a warm family who clearly enjoyed having two gringos in the car. They found our way of traveling inspiring and asked us lots of questions. The highlight was that they stopped at every lookout to take pictures, which is impossible to do on a bus. So our shared trip turned into a jolly photo shoot with lots of laughs. By the way, Pipi said that this road trip was the most beautiful of her life!!!

The Thermals the Siphon, to which the family took us, were actually hot thermal waters, the most beautiful and natural I have ever seen. A warm river in the middle of nature, nothing else. Originally we planned to stay only 1-2 hours, but we spent the whole afternoon there, we couldn't separate ourselves. The place was so special, the water so nice, and we were surprised that most of the time we were alone there. The duty man then kindly took us to the next big city, Manizales, since, of course, we (again) missed the bus.

In Manizales, we didn't have high expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised! The city is so mountainous that neither the beginning nor the end can be seen. Within the city there are parks, so wild that you feel like in the jungle. And the people are incredibly friendly! Manizales is also called the city of the open doors, because hospitality here is paramount.

In Manizales we tried Couchsurfing for the first time on this trip. The experience was… exciting. Included 4 dogs, 3 cats and a newborn. Our host Andrew, an interesting guy, had quit his classic 9 to 5 job and was now giving yoga, self-knowledge and vegan cooking workshops in his home. His son runs a vegan restaurant called "risky sheep." Although he was amiable, he tended to speak in monologues and compellingly conveyed his anti-capitalist message to us. (Thanks, I know the material isn't the most important thing - I currently live out of a backpack) He didn't seem too interested in us or our stories. Still, it was a fascinating experience.

Bussi Baba