Manizales, Colombia 🇨🇴 

I had such a good nights sleep.  The bed was super comfortable and the hostel quiet.  I check out late and wander down the Main Street looking for brunch options.  La Suiza does great coffee and a tasty portion of huevos ranchos.  Filled up, I wander the main area and note that this is a modern and commercial part of the town.  They have their statue of Simon Bolivar depicted as a Condor, which is different.

The cathedral is the tallest in Colombia at 102metres.  It was built in 1928 over 11 years.  What I found most incredible was that all the concrete & steel used to build it was imported from Europe and USA.  The best part of the cathedral is that you can climb to the top of the spire, a mere 395 steps.  I nearly bottled it when another lady started to get hysterical but I pushed on to the top up the spiral staircase.  I didn’t stay long at the top before coming back down and feeling much better being at ground level.

I shop for a few groceries ready for my self catering days at the coffee farm and then grab my bag from the hostel.  I am whisked quickly back down the cable car and find the bus that will drop me at the bridge on the edge of town.  From here I call the Hacienda for a pick up, which transfers me down the valley to the farm.  We pass lots of coffee trees on the way, rows of them stretching up even the steepest parts of the valley.

The hostel is simple but fine, everyone is friendly and very sociable.  I am pleased I brought food when I see the variety at their mini market, there will be a lot of pasta but there is enough cold beer to see me through and of course the coffee is free.  

I head to bed and spot the biggest spider, about the size of my palm, just sat above the bed.  Never one to make a fuss, one of the guys takes it on with a broom and successfully kills it.  Whilst I am in bed reading, I see another one creep under the door.  This one I handle by myself and my trusty can of tuna bashes it from a height.  I do manage to go to sleep, after packing some clothes under the door and keeping half an eye open.