Sunday (Domingo) 23rd August, 2009
Day 163


Cali, Colombia
Cali, Colombia
Miles: 22,181
N 03.32093°
W 76.52386°



Leaving Bambusa was like jumping back into the fray after a nice respite.

The first stop for the day was Parque Nacional Del Cafe about 30 miles from Bambusa, the route was well signed posted so we had no trouble finding the place. The park is an interesting mix of activities. It has a large area displaying many types of coffee plants and large stands of bamboo, there are exhibits that demonstrate various stages in the processing of coffee. And there is also an adventure park with all kinds of adrenalin rides. This mixing of natural sights and man made entertainment seems to be the way Colombians like their Parques. We enjoyed the place, but I don't think we became experts on the processing of coffee.


From the Parque Del Cafe we eventually found our way back onto the Pan American Highway which we had not seen since Medellin. The highway south was perhaps the best road we have experienced since leaving Texas. Brand new, smooth, divided road.

As we approached the northern limits of Cali we realized that the place we had identified for tonight's camping was actually on the southern side of Cali and that we would have to traverse the city before stopping. This created a little bit of stress as Cali is a big city and we did not have great maps, nor GPS coordinates for our destination. Cali was hectic, with lots of road work, round-abouts, and at one point the road went through an active and chaotic market area. But fortunately the road was well signposted so we eventually found ourselves on the Pan Am south of the city looking for our destination. By sheer luck Nina noticed the restaurant and sign and we pulled up into their road side parking lot. The security guard eventually came to see what we wanted, then the manager, then the owner, and many conversations later we were directed into their off-street parking lot.

Later we had dinner near the pool, watched local patrons dance to the latin music and discussed our day and plans.

Camping

We stayed the night at Brisas Troicales/Turicentro (N03° 19.256' W76° 31.432') just south of Cali on the PanAm. We heard about this place from someone who had not been to Colombia for 6 or 7 years so we were not sure it still existed, and we had just about given up on it when there it was on the West of the highway. Its a restaurant and swimming park, with a large level grass parking area inside the property. Toilets, cold showers, 3 swimming pools, and quiet. There was no charge for staying the night but we bought dinner at the place.

A little North of Brisas Tropicales there is a large gas station on the West of the highway that we did not try but looks like it might work. It was going to be our plan-B if we did not find Brisas Tropicales

North of Cali while still on the highway 25 there were a couple of newish gas stations that had enough space for an overnight.