From the top, you can see this view below.
After the Colombia trip, we returned from Cartagena to Medellin. We stayed in Medellin for five days at a hotel in Laureles and stayed at a suite hotel in Poblado for 8 days. Our children flew in and we spent time together during the Thanksgiving week. More stories to follow.
We took a Guatape Tour with Joyce. It was an all-day tour and it turned out to be the most valuable trip we took out of Medellin. The tour cost us only $25 but included not only to the tour to the Rock or El Penol or La Piedra del Penol, but also a trip to the town of Guatape, the boat ride on the Guatepe Reservoir and a visit to Pablo Escobar's former house. Moreover, they provided the breakfast and the lunch. In addition, they picked us up at the hotel and also dropped us off at the hotel. Wow!!! So we sent Amanda and Ray also for this tour.
Guatape is a municipality approximately 79 km away from Medellin, but it took us 90 minutes or so because we had to travel on a winding road from a highway.
On the way, the first stop was at a statue of La Fenix de America. It is related to Sor Juana de Ines, an important figure in Roman Catholic and she is pictured on the Mexico's 200 peso note. All sources were in Spanish, limiting my understanding.
We also stopped at an artificial rock that apparently mimics the El Penol. There was a Roman Catholic church that was full of worshipers when we visited.
Penol was a town that is now under water that was created out of building a dam and consequently a reservoir. We passed by a new town and stopped by La Replica del Penol where we visited a church.
A pleasant surprise was the Boat Ride on the Guatape Reservoir. The green scenery was so relaxing and tranquil, except the loud music that the sailors were playing.
It was an awesome sense of hearing that the cross at the top of a church still stands out of the water as we were passing by it. Yes, the Cross stands out of all troubles in the world.
In addition to the fantastic scenery, we were able to see the former house of Pablo Escobar, the Medellin Drug Cartel chief. It was bombed by another drug cartel while he was away. It used to be a site for paint shooting game, but it is now the property of the government without any access.
The highlight of the trip was the Stone of El Penol or La Piedra del Penol or El Penol as the Rock of Guatape. There are many legends about this boulder, but the most credible source is that it erupted when tectonic plates collided. It soars up 220 meter or 722 feet high reaching 7005 feet high at the top from the sea level, but it is believed to be only a fraction of what is lying beneath the surface. To reach the top, it takes almost 700 steps straight up from the ground. The top
When you first arrived at the bottom of the Rock, it is overwhelming.
Kristin felt uncomfortable climbing up the stairs. So Joyce and I bought the tickets to climb.
Looking up the stairs, it was somewhat scary.
It was amazing that a group of plants were growing on the steep surface of the Rock.
As we walked up more, the scenery was becoming more and more amazing.
Finally, we were passing by the mark of 650 stairs from the bottom
There was a tower to climb up to see the reservoir with a 360 degree view. Unfortunately, there is no way to capture the 360 degree view.
Joyce and I took the selfie with the view in the background.
At the top was an open area with several merchants.
We drank the Mechelada with Mango and it was so refreshing after a grueling hike and a lot of sweat.
The descend was easier but the view remained fabulous.
After we came down, we looked up the stairs again and we had a smile of satisfaction.
We had lunch at Paisa Restaurant and it was delicious.
I thought we had a wonderful time of climbing up the Rock, but we still had a pleasant visit to the town of Guatepe left. This town is nicknamed The Colorful Town and it was only appropriate.
The architecture is famous to have the 3D sockets on the outside walls, indicating what they are doing for business or promoting. We found some sockets depicting the silleteros carrying people and flowers.
The alley of memory was full of colorful houses blocked by a fountain against any automobile traffic.
The town is located by the Guatepe Reservoir and a statue of a lady was a perfect match to the scenic view of the reservoir.
The pathway from the town to the shore was lined with colorful stores and structures.
While I was waiting for Joyce and Kristin on a concrete staircase, the view of the alley with a wall decorated with sockets and a restaurant in between was impressive.
On the way back to our meeting point, the plaza was surrounded with many cafes and restaurants. One of them was beautifully decorated and it stood out. I wish we had a time to dine at this restaurant.
At the plaza was a church reflected on the water in the fountain, and of course the statue of Simon Bolivar.
The restaurant remained beautiful from the plaza.
People were taking a tour on a tuktuk, decorated colorfully as usual.
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We had a wonderful and valuable trip for a day. It is an item that you must do. - Jeffrey
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