eamon.in/valencia

Category: Éamon

  • Irish weather

    Irish weather

    The weather here in Salento is very Irish. It’s wet and cold. Even more than Guatapé. It gives me a feeling for what tourists have to go through in Ireland. On the walk back from the coffee plantation, the heavens opened. And I didn’t have an umbrella, because I’d left it in a restaurant (I…

  • Coffee plantation

    Coffee plantation

    Today, I went to the Finca Don Elias, a small family-run plantation about an hours walk outside Salento. They grow Arabica and Colombian coffee, which are almost the same, apart from the fact that the berries are different colours when mature. Red for Arabica, and yellow for Colombian. They also have a lot of fruit…

  • Salento

    Salento

    I’ve come to the lovely little town of Salento. But it’s rained a lot and it’s cold. I went to the mirador this evening and it really is a lovely view. But the internet connection in the hostel is terrible. I’m trying to do a bit of work but it only works intermittently, and so…

  • Leaving Guatapé

    Leaving Guatapé

    I really loved Guatapé. It’s a beautiful and beautifully located town, and it was quiet and relaxed, which is what I like when I’m travelling alone. For the last three days it rained a lot. Mostly in the mornings, but also on and off in the afternoons. Then, this morning as I was leaving, the…

  • El Puñol

    El Puñol

    El Puñol is a large natural rock that is something like 100 metres tall, and is the main tourist feature here. Today I walked over an hour uphill to get to it, and then climbed the 749 steps to the top, where there was a spectacular view.

  • In Guatapé

    In Guatapé

    Writing in a hammock is one of my favourite things to do. It reminds me of when I lived in Santa Teresa. Anyway, it was a very easy journey to get here. I’m a bit disappointed in the hostel though. The room is very basic, and there is a bit of a smell in the…

  • Pedro Botero

    Pedro Botero

    It makes me feel quite cultural that I spent a good part of my day in an art gallery. Pedro Botero is a very prolific Colombian artist, from Medellín, mostly known for his sculpture. At least that’s how I would have known him for. The statues I know are usually of what I would describe…

  • Democratic architecture

    Democratic architecture

    Today I did the Metro Cable, which is part of the transport system here in Medellín. Yesterday’s walking tour with Pedro confirmed to me that I hadn’t been wrong when I said that I used to have such a negative impression of the city. This was one of the most violent cities in the world.…

  • Walking tour of Medellín

    Walking tour of Medellín

    Today I went on a walking tour of the centre of Medellín. I loved it. It is run by a guy called Pablo, and it’s his company, Real City Tours. It’s free, and he just makes money on tips. He suggests a tip of $30,000 (COP) if you’re happy, and as that’s just over €11…

  • Lazy Sunday in Medellín

    I can’t believe I’m in Medellín. Of all the places I knew of in Colombia this was probably the place that was most tainted in my mind with drug cartels. And now here I am, and it seems lovely. I arrived bleary-eyed this morning to the North Bus Terminal, and got the Metro to my…