A Birthday wish to Sarah. My little girl is still gorgeous at 53!!!
I know it’s tomorrow in Vancouver but it’s the 13th in New Zealand, where you were born. Happy Birthday Sarah, with all my love.
Today.
Despite the gentle pitter patter sound of of rain on the Caranex last night, it was only a brief shower and we were able to sleep with the roof vents fully open, once it had passed.
On the road by 10am, how good is that!!
From start off, Poke felt sluggish. Mmmmm, what could it be? Altitude, blocked air cleaner or carboned exhaust. The latter didn’t bear thinking about!
We only drive 85miles but most of them were up hill, peaking over 3000m, and as winding as we have experienced. Trucks, trucks, trucks in each direction for much of the climb, however latterly the downward traffic had been diverted through a new, and must be, impressive tunnel system. This allowed us to pass some of the trucks though while poor Poki was getting the full boot she wasn’t responding.
Armenia.
Armenia appeared at the bottom of the valley we were descending. As Jen mentioned, there have been reports on iOverlander, a travellers app, of some nasty stories of tourists being harassed. there was a report of motorcyclists with squirty bottles of brake fluid! We passed by without event.
Cocora Valley.
Solento was gained by around 1pm and it was decided we would push on the see the Wax Palms in the Cocora Valley, some 11 k’s further on. After pulling into a car park the first thing to do was try and find where Poki’s power had gone. On opening the aircleaner box and pulling out the filter, it was full of insects!! We had not been on any really dusty roads, which was why I was worried it could be another cause.
Just locking up to leave the car park and a chap asked which one of us was the Kiwi? Stephen, a Canadian from Alberta, and his lovely wife Lorena from Colombia, with Lorena’s Mum, had just returned from visiting the Palms. Stephen and Lorena are living in Auckland!!! Some more people to visit or have visits from, when we get home. 🙂
Is it a Bee or a Cow..:) ?
Wax Palms are impressive at 197ft and are the national symbol of Colombia, as they are unique to this country. We set out on a marathon walk of close to 2k’s up a rough track to view our starting point.
Start of the pathway to the viewing point.
That’s approx. 197 feet to the top,
It’s the only Condor she saw!
The Wax Palms are the habitat of the Yellow Eared parrot. Depicted between the two larger unknown birds.
Some pretty impressive artwork
Back at the car park two hours later. It was immediately clear that Poki was now better. She handled the return journey to Solento with ease. Whew!!
Solento.
Solento is a tourist town. Clearly people backpack from all over the world to see the World Heritage sight at Cocora. The streets are very narrow and some, precipitous.
The entrance to our camp site tonight, We are now backed in front of the white Chilean registered van That van is occupied by two young Polish citizens. Thanks to them, we have wifi tonight. They have Starlink wifi as they are working while on the road and they have very kindly shared it with us.
Views: 85
The plastic birds are Motmots, rather beautiful in reality unlike the awful plastic variety. Not easy to spot as though as they usually adopt a woodland perch where the plumage seems to merge into its surroundings somehow.
Well done Bridget. Thanks for that. We have seen other depictions en-route and more real like, but not the real thing, yet. The birds and flowers, the colours would blow your mind. Sensational…:)