Valle de Cocora

 For our second day in Salento, we hiked around Valle de Cocora, an area in a national park known for its magnificent wax palm trees.  To get there, we rode in a Willy, or jeep, that has been popular in the area since WWII.  

The day started off cloudy and even started raining at the end of our hike. Since the park is located in a cloud forest nestled in the Andes mountains, this was to be expected.  The scenery is absolutely stunning and the air fresh.  Pictures just cannot do some things justice. 

 On our hike, we overcame many obstacles: mud, barbed-wire fences, rickety bridges, and everyone's personal favorite, horse poop.  Many parts of the trail were narrow, so when a tour of riders on horseback came through, we were forced to jump to the side, sometimes even being splattered with all sorts of nastiness from the horses' hooves.  

 Some people (ahem, Mama) disobeyed posted signs and took shortcuts in order not to risk their lives in the trenches.  

Of course, who could blame them when this was the alternative route?

We turned back in the nick of time, as towards the end of the hike, the chill rain began.  Thankfully, we were able to get a cup of coffee/tea while waiting for a Willy to take us back.