Day 11 - The Superzottel, Salento, Valle de Cocora - Damn, we're done!

After 6 hours on a comfortable bus 😔, which was cooled down to about 7 degrees, and a short transfer to a minibus, we arrived in Salento. Our host was exceptionally nice and immediately explained the various hiking routes that can be done here. We are very close to Valle de Cocora, a valley where the wax palm tree grows, which is the tallest type of palm tree in the world (up to 60 m) and can only be found in Colombia. Even we will go hiking for this 👍

We were brave and chose the 6 (!!!) hour route. In case anyone really wants to know: there are also multi-day tours, don't forget your compass - there have been Gringos who never came back (no joke). So off we went. After a short warm-up, it started for real. Narrow and very steep trails - as always, wet, muddy, and slippery. I believe Julia had to concentrate properly again after 4 months of low-level studies 😀

The tour was really tough and we even got lost. Eventually, we met a couple from Holland who were also unsure about the path, but at least they had the internet and Google Maps. We turned around, took the next path, extremely steep, and followed the Dutch in high speed. Both of us were really exhausted and - at least I was - sweating soaking wet. It was disgusting, always uphill and no end in sight - these stupid plants were so dense that we couldn't estimate when we would reach the mountaintop. After about 2.5 hours, we reached the highest point. After that, it was just enjoying the view. I don't know if it comes across in the photos, but it's really impressive here.

After 5.5 hours, we were back at the hostel (the best one so far, by far). Due to getting lost, we ended up on the 4-hour route. Unanimously, we decided to shower and take a nap afterwards - we were both completely exhausted, plus the fact that we missed an entire night of sleep (thanks to the 7-degree cold comfortable bus).

After dinner, we decided to have a few drinks of rum tonight, so we can sleep well.

We've been on the road for a while now and inevitably meet all sorts of different people every day. We couldn't help but categorize the various travelers. We have identified 3 types. Of course, there are subgroups and mixtures, but basically there are the following travelers: the Superzottel, the Globetrotter, and the Obsessed.

We don't want to keep our observations and insights from you and will introduce them step by step.

We start with:

Type 1 - The Superzottel (SZ)

The male version of the Superzottel is characterized by the longest possible hair. The preferred look is the Rasta look, to make fleas and other pests 🐜 feel more comfortable. He usually walks around bare-chested. The female version is generally pale and very thin, with long hair but no recognizable hairstyle. She wears a top with stains and some loose pants. The SZ always wears eco-jewelry. Preferably with stones, all of which naturally have a deep meaning. Tattoo and/or piercing are mandatory. The SZ usually walks barefoot and hasn't washed his feet for at least 4 weeks.

All Superzottels are incredibly laid-back and think they are totally unique. In reality, they are all the same. The SZ does as little as possible all day long. Maximum chilling or maybe some yoga. Well, he is also busy finding himself - that can also be stressful. Because the SZ doesn't do much, he is rarely found in the wild. His habitat is the most run-down hostels, preferably with a beach nearby. Unfortunately, we haven't succeeded in taking a photo of a SZ yet.

Very important: if you want to be a really good SZ, you must not have a return ticket, that's totally uncool because you don't know where it might take you.

Okay, it's also not that dramatic if you don't come back 😂 😂

To be continued. Read about it in one of our upcoming issues: The Globetrotter