Popayan

Asaf

Asaf and our first Llama

We needed to break up the trip down to the Colombia-Ecuador border so we decided to stop in Popayan for our last night in Colombia.   It would have made it easier for us if we had gone further south for the night (our trip the next day took 11 hours by bus) but we had heard good things about Popayan.  It´s suppose to be the best preserved colonial town in Colombia next to Cartagena and furthermore, Hostel Trail Guesthouse, the hostel with the namesake of a great backpacker website is located there.  We wanted to stay there in order to ask the owners if they thought it would still be possible and safe to cross the border because if you haven´t heard, there are growing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador.  They eased our minds by informing us that a friend of theirs had crossed earlier that day and explained the usual border process.  Besides that procedural stuff, we spent the afternoon walking around town and actually managed to see most of what is considered worthwhile.  Popayan is actually a pretty small place and the nicer colonial architecture is mostly found on two perpindicular avenues that surround the main plaza.  Among the old churches and nice houses there were small, trendy looking cafes but we actually ended up eating dinner at a vegetarian restaurant to get a break from the meat-in-everything cuisine.  To boot, they also had Empanadas de Pipian, which is the local take on the ubiquitous fried treat.  In this case they are filled with potatoes and peanuts...very interesting and tasty combo.  Although, we were able to see and try what was needed in Popayan I´m still a little saddened we didn´t have more time to kick back there.  The friendly and informative English couple that own Hostel Trail painted a picture of a rich and warm culture there that can only obtained after a thorough stay that includes trips to nearby villages and markets.  I won´t waste time regretting it though because truly our travels in Colombia were rich and exciting.  On the bright side, now I know for sure we have plenty reason if we want to return there someday.  See you in Ecuador!

Church in Popayan

Becca

Indeed our time here was really short - it is a shame that the end of our time in Colombia was so rushed. But, like he said, more the reason to come back someday and see the sights we missed and perhaps revisit the ones we loved :) After our night in Popoyan we woke up early and got on an 8AM bus...we proceeded to be on buses or in taxis basically until 10 PM. Luckily, though, we got a break in the middle at the border town (on Colombia side) called Ipiales. Here there is a really beautiful church, that is said to be the best in South America. Most people don´t know about it because you don´t pass by it when you go from the bus station to the border. We hired a taxi that drove us into the town, waited for us, and then drove us to the border which was very convenient. The church is down winding stone steps only accessible by foot, right next to a big waterfall. It is quite a sight - check out the picture of the church, it is really huge and beautiful.

Nice Street in Popayan

Anyway, overall I had a great month+ in Colombia and am excited to continue our travels!

Awsome Church in Ipiales