Colombia - last leg south

From Cali we only had one stretch left south, driving to Ipiales which is the last place on the Colombian side of the Rumichaca bridge. The border crossing to Ecuador is in Rumichaca.

The drive is about 10 hours, and we set out to make it around half way the first day. The nature along the road is beautiful, and the road is a continuous going up and down steep and winding roads. With trucks taking their time around each bend, it is hard work for the driver. Harold, that is. For Karin it is mainly staying away from getting motion sick.

We made it to a place called Rosas, some 5 hours in. We stopped to fill up with petrol and have a coffee. About 100m after the stop the engine started to play up, and after a while we had to turn around and go back to Rosas. Long story short, we had to drive back to the nearest larger town, Popayán. That drive wasn't a nice experience, but luckily we made it to a hotel so we could go to the mechanic the next day and have the car fixed. It feels like we have spent more time servicing the car than driving, which obviously is not the case. Boring!

Once we got back on the road, we really enjoyed the drive south. By chance we tried to get to a hotel in a place called Las Lajas, Hotel Casa de Peregrinos. We couldn't find it as Google sent us down a narrow lane that led to nowhere, and ended up going back to a place where we paid US$17 for the night in a a room with only a bed. We do get around! But, we found out that the hotel for peregrinos in Las Lajas accommodates people who come to see the cathedral of Las Lajas. We went there the next day, and found a real gem. Enjoy the photos from the trip, and check up the history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_of_Las_Lajas

After the visit we went to the border. The passing was smooth but slow; we are getting used to the process and take it in our stride.