We are staying in the geodome which is actually meant for 3 people. Very comfortable beds with wool blankets, a packed dirt floor with colorful rugs and mosquito netting, a view of the garden all work together to make this an amazing space.
This morning we enjoyed a typical hearty Colombian breakfast served in the kitchen. A fresh tropical fruit salad, fresh fruit juice, tea, porridge, toast and an arepa all for $2.50. We enjoyed eating with other travelers and hearing about their adventures. After breakfast we hiked back to the road and caught a bus to Barichara, only a twenty minute ride, but it took us back 300 years.
Barichara is a beautifully preserved colonial town of about 7,000. The architecture was stunning and we got to see quite a bit as we wandered around looking for the start of the El Camino Real to Guane trail. Finally after asking 3 people and getting 3 different answers we found the trail. It was a spectacular 3 hour, mostly downhill hike on a stone path made by the Guane Indians. It starts by hiking down into the canyon,then goes through a valley full of cactus and trees. Most of of the path is also lined with stone fences and I couldn't help but think of how much work it must have been. It was tough going on the rocky trail and my poor sore toe got knocked around quite a bit even in my hiking boots. It was a bit of a bloody mess by the end of the day.
Our destination, Guane was an even tinier colonial town, with a beautiful town square, church built in 1720 and lots of local artists. Coleen got a hand decorated tshirt for $3.50 and we got some of their dulce coriza, a delicous candy. We took a bus back to Bariachara, messed around there a bit and finally got back to the farm at four, super tired and ready for an early night.