We resumed our family gathering over Thanksgiving Week since 2016 when we met in Dallas. The following year, we met in Palm Springs and subsequently in Cancun and this year in Medellin.
Joyce came on Saturday before the Thanksgiving week and left in the morning of Thanksgiving Day. The reason was too much a cost of $800 more. Amanda and Ray arrived in the evening of Wednesday before the Thanksgiving Day. So we had to spend time with them separately, but it was good in a sense that we were able to have quality time exclusively.
On the day of arrival, we hung out at a bar and these two ladies looked so beautiful.
Joyce wanted to visit Modern Art Museum first. The contents were disappointingly too little, but we enjoyed out hangout.
We walked over to the museum from the hilly hotel we stayed, namely Cyan Suites, in Poblado and we found an interesting and beautiful tree on the road.
The day was find and the scenery was so gorgeous!
After the Modern Art Museum, we wanted to visit a farmer's market, but it was the smallest one I have ever visited.
We walked a little bit more and found a food market called Del Rio where we had lunch. The foods were pretty good.
We visited Botanical Garden on a different day, but again, the garden was small and there was nothing much to see. Besides, we were asked to leave along with other visitors for an unknown reason. The free entry gives them the right to ask the visitors to leave at any time. But, the trees were so lush green and the garden looked a lot bigger than it actually is.
With Amanda and Ray, we tried Metro Cable Like J from San Javier Station of Metro Line B. It traveled in the air three stations even to the valley over a hill. We remained in the Cable until we returned to San Javier for their Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour. Later, I learned that Ray had a height phobia. Oh well... He still smiled.
We visited Arvi National Park with Joyce via two lines of cables. One was Metro Cable Line K from Avezedo Station of Metro Line A to Santo Domingo where we took another tourist cable line to Arvi National Park. The 15 minute ride gave us the panoramic view of the park. We walked around a bit, but we could not visit the waterfall as the park personnel recommended since Kristin got her hip joint hurting. You could spend the whole day there hiking around the park.
Poblado is a barrio within Medellin, which falls under the Social Economic Tier 6, the most affluent. It has all luxurious apartments, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. Obviously most of the tourists come here to see, shop, dine and play. On the way up on Calle 10 from Poblado Station of Metro Line A, a long wall of graffiti arts greet you.
There were several temporary tent shops on Poblado Avenue by the Poblado Park.
Poblado Park is a small park, but an important landmark.
Calle 10 is a hilly street with many restaurants.
One block south from Calle 10 was Parque Lleras, another small park as part of Zona Rosa El Poblado, the restaurant zone. Many people hang out here.
Zonz Rosa El Poblado is the famous restaurant zone, also called Carre de Buena Mesa or Beautiful Table Street. There are numerous high quality restaurants and cafes in this area. We visited a few places to try out. Obviously their price tags are not cheap either.
Near the hotel we stayed, I found three dog walkers who were meeting up. A bunch of dogs were hanging out together. I was jokingly said that I might as well consider taking this job since you get paid for walking that you would do anyway. Joyce said that I would have to clean up the mess that they leave on the way and I said I would hire someone else to do the job. Oh well...
We traveled to Sabaneta located almost at the southern end of Metro Line A towards Estrella. It is another municipality within Medellin. The primary purpose of the trip was Christmas decoration at the Parque Sabaneta. But there was an unexpected pleasant surprise for me. It was a lot more livable town with more village-like appearance and more tranquil environment. We ended up going there again to explore more. We traveled to the end of Sabaneta Bus and a clear water stream greeted us. It was so refreshing. As we walked down to the town, we saw a walking trail by the stream. And we saw a mega supermarket, called Exito! and found many shops. We stopped at a bakery and enjoyed the breads and the inexpensive prices. Our initial feeling was more solidified. From there, we could take the bus to Envigado or Poblado. On the way, there is Mayorca Mega Mall. Also, we could take the Metro Shuttle to go to the Sabaneta Metro Station if we need to travel by the Metro. The price is more affordable and the air is cleaner than Poblado. Moreover, the hills are a lot more walk-friendly than the hilly Poblado. No brainer. We will see.
Mayorca Mega Mall in Itaguia by the Itaguia Station or on the way from Sabaneta to Envigado by bus.
La Setenta, Laureles is supposed to be the street for night life, if you wanted. Oh well... not for us.
The hotel we stayed, Hotel El Porton San Joaquin, was booked through Chase points. It was affordable, but the night view from the room was fantastic. The manager, Felipe, was the son of the owner and his ability to speak English was very helpful. We are now connected via Whatsapp and we will see if we can stay in touch.
With Joyce, we also visited Publita Paisa or Paisa Village. Paisa represents the people of Antioquia. It was under construction, but we could sense the ambiance of the village that also had the city museum. The only thing we ate was ice cream.
The international airport in Medellin is called Jose Maria Cordova Airport. It is small and gives you very easy access from the ramp to the check in counter. It is another advantage for frequent travelers like us.
I thoroughly enjoyed our tour in Colombia and stay in Medellin. Particularly we enjoyed the green scenery and quality water, along with low cost of living, friendly people, extensive public transportation system. We need to see what the Lord has in store before we make the final decision, but Medellin Colombia is definitely one of the places for our living, Lord willing. - Jeffrey
Joyce came on Saturday before the Thanksgiving week and left in the morning of Thanksgiving Day. The reason was too much a cost of $800 more. Amanda and Ray arrived in the evening of Wednesday before the Thanksgiving Day. So we had to spend time with them separately, but it was good in a sense that we were able to have quality time exclusively.
On the day of arrival, we hung out at a bar and these two ladies looked so beautiful.
Joyce wanted to visit Modern Art Museum first. The contents were disappointingly too little, but we enjoyed out hangout.
We walked over to the museum from the hilly hotel we stayed, namely Cyan Suites, in Poblado and we found an interesting and beautiful tree on the road.
The day was find and the scenery was so gorgeous!
After the Modern Art Museum, we wanted to visit a farmer's market, but it was the smallest one I have ever visited.
We walked a little bit more and found a food market called Del Rio where we had lunch. The foods were pretty good.
We visited Botanical Garden on a different day, but again, the garden was small and there was nothing much to see. Besides, we were asked to leave along with other visitors for an unknown reason. The free entry gives them the right to ask the visitors to leave at any time. But, the trees were so lush green and the garden looked a lot bigger than it actually is.
With Amanda and Ray, we tried Metro Cable Like J from San Javier Station of Metro Line B. It traveled in the air three stations even to the valley over a hill. We remained in the Cable until we returned to San Javier for their Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour. Later, I learned that Ray had a height phobia. Oh well... He still smiled.
We visited Arvi National Park with Joyce via two lines of cables. One was Metro Cable Line K from Avezedo Station of Metro Line A to Santo Domingo where we took another tourist cable line to Arvi National Park. The 15 minute ride gave us the panoramic view of the park. We walked around a bit, but we could not visit the waterfall as the park personnel recommended since Kristin got her hip joint hurting. You could spend the whole day there hiking around the park.
Poblado is a barrio within Medellin, which falls under the Social Economic Tier 6, the most affluent. It has all luxurious apartments, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. Obviously most of the tourists come here to see, shop, dine and play. On the way up on Calle 10 from Poblado Station of Metro Line A, a long wall of graffiti arts greet you.
There were several temporary tent shops on Poblado Avenue by the Poblado Park.
Poblado Park is a small park, but an important landmark.
Calle 10 is a hilly street with many restaurants.
Oviedo Shopping Mall is one of several large shopping malls located on Poblado Avenue.
One block south from Calle 10 was Parque Lleras, another small park as part of Zona Rosa El Poblado, the restaurant zone. Many people hang out here.
Zonz Rosa El Poblado is the famous restaurant zone, also called Carre de Buena Mesa or Beautiful Table Street. There are numerous high quality restaurants and cafes in this area. We visited a few places to try out. Obviously their price tags are not cheap either.
Near the hotel we stayed, I found three dog walkers who were meeting up. A bunch of dogs were hanging out together. I was jokingly said that I might as well consider taking this job since you get paid for walking that you would do anyway. Joyce said that I would have to clean up the mess that they leave on the way and I said I would hire someone else to do the job. Oh well...
We initially planned to have the Thanksgiving Dinner at one of the restaurants that were offering such dinner, including Patrick's Irish Pub. The dinner would have set us back COP70,000 or $22. But, Amanda and Ray did not pursue this dinner option and we ended up having simpler and early dinner. I am not a fan of turkey dishes, but I feel we should have eaten at one of such places.
Mayorca Mega Mall in Itaguia by the Itaguia Station or on the way from Sabaneta to Envigado by bus.
La Setenta, Laureles is supposed to be the street for night life, if you wanted. Oh well... not for us.
The hotel we stayed, Hotel El Porton San Joaquin, was booked through Chase points. It was affordable, but the night view from the room was fantastic. The manager, Felipe, was the son of the owner and his ability to speak English was very helpful. We are now connected via Whatsapp and we will see if we can stay in touch.
With Joyce, we also visited Publita Paisa or Paisa Village. Paisa represents the people of Antioquia. It was under construction, but we could sense the ambiance of the village that also had the city museum. The only thing we ate was ice cream.
The international airport in Medellin is called Jose Maria Cordova Airport. It is small and gives you very easy access from the ramp to the check in counter. It is another advantage for frequent travelers like us.
As we were leaving, a statue of Silletero carrying flowers and the Medellin sign stood at a duty free shop, as if saying "Hasta Pronto!"
I thoroughly enjoyed our tour in Colombia and stay in Medellin. Particularly we enjoyed the green scenery and quality water, along with low cost of living, friendly people, extensive public transportation system. We need to see what the Lord has in store before we make the final decision, but Medellin Colombia is definitely one of the places for our living, Lord willing. - Jeffrey
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