Last Sunday we joined a group trip organised by the international internet expat community of
InterNations. The destination was an ecologic park of Pionono in the village of Sopó, located just 40 km but about an hour's bus ride north from Bogotá.
The first stop was getting fueled up at the Alpina cabin. Sopó is actually more known for the local dairy producer Alpina founded by Swiss immigrants in the 1940s.
When we had purchased the snacks, the trip continued higher up, closer to the stars. On the way to the park we passed some modest houses. The village - or town - has over 21.000 inhabitants.
And we saw beautiful fields that remind us of home. As often in Latin America it seems to be a problem, also this time our bus was way too big for the tiny steep roads leading to the park. Somehow we managed, though!
The view is breathtaking, and both valleys and a lagoon can be seen from the top.
Our guide Don Luis accompanied us all the way, explaining about the nature and history of the park. Little did we know, what kind of an adventure was waiting ahead...
As you can imagine, with such a big group (25 people or more) the "hiking" was pretty slow as everyone was stopping to photograph the amazing nature.
Little school girls who come to visit the park make little bunny ears or
conejitas from these soft leaves.
This plant is very sticky so the girls glue it to their ears as earrings.
If you squint your eyes, you might see the cross, which was our final destination.
The distance to the cross was not long but it was challenging for many people climbing down over slippery rocks. The way there was not completely paved or smoothed like it may first have appeared but for us - the experienced ones - after the hike done several years ago to Mittagspitze in Vorarlberg, Austria, this was a piece of cake!
Some Latino gentlemen insisted on helping. Haven't they heard how independent the Finnish women are? :D
Half way to the cross done so it's time for some posing.
This was the stone I was sitting on as seen from below.
Yey! We reached the cross! Getting settled for a group picture.
The highest point of the park is in 3.250 meters, which is over 600 meters higher than Bogotá.
Our new friend Daniela from New Jersey, Monika and I.
Monika and Lukas.
And another view of the stone many were sitting on.
In theory, the walk back from the cross was the same but as some were afraid going down the rocks, the guide led us through a bushy jungle where we also had to dig in with nails to get up.
This kind of a group trip would never had worked in Europe but we just thought it was fun!
Time for lunch!
And admiring the scenery.
While we were sweating up in the park, getting sun burn on our necks and enjoying the sunshine the whole morning and early afternoon, it had rained hailstones in Bogotá.
Lukas was even able to build a miniature snowman. :)
On the way home we found a cute little Swiss restaurant where we had cheese fondue for dinner.
The day was eventful and funny, it was nice meeting new people and getting to know the neighbourhood. Most importantly, we got to enjoy the beautiful Colombian nature!
The first stop was getting fueled up at the Alpina cabin. Sopó is actually more known for the local dairy producer Alpina founded by Swiss immigrants in the 1940s.
When we had purchased the snacks, the trip continued higher up, closer to the stars. On the way to the park we passed some modest houses. The village - or town - has over 21.000 inhabitants.
And we saw beautiful fields that remind us of home. As often in Latin America it seems to be a problem, also this time our bus was way too big for the tiny steep roads leading to the park. Somehow we managed, though!
The view is breathtaking, and both valleys and a lagoon can be seen from the top.
Our guide Don Luis accompanied us all the way, explaining about the nature and history of the park. Little did we know, what kind of an adventure was waiting ahead...
As you can imagine, with such a big group (25 people or more) the "hiking" was pretty slow as everyone was stopping to photograph the amazing nature.
Little school girls who come to visit the park make little bunny ears or conejitas from these soft leaves.
This plant is very sticky so the girls glue it to their ears as earrings.
If you squint your eyes, you might see the cross, which was our final destination.
The distance to the cross was not long but it was challenging for many people climbing down over slippery rocks. The way there was not completely paved or smoothed like it may first have appeared but for us - the experienced ones - after the hike done several years ago to Mittagspitze in Vorarlberg, Austria, this was a piece of cake!
Some Latino gentlemen insisted on helping. Haven't they heard how independent the Finnish women are? :D
Half way to the cross done so it's time for some posing.
This was the stone I was sitting on as seen from below.
Yey! We reached the cross! Getting settled for a group picture.
The highest point of the park is in 3.250 meters, which is over 600 meters higher than Bogotá.
Our new friend Daniela from New Jersey, Monika and I.
Monika and Lukas.
And another view of the stone many were sitting on.
In theory, the walk back from the cross was the same but as some were afraid going down the rocks, the guide led us through a bushy jungle where we also had to dig in with nails to get up.
This kind of a group trip would never had worked in Europe but we just thought it was fun!
Time for lunch!
And admiring the scenery.
While we were sweating up in the park, getting sun burn on our necks and enjoying the sunshine the whole morning and early afternoon, it had rained hailstones in Bogotá.
Lukas was even able to build a miniature snowman. :)
On the way home we found a cute little Swiss restaurant where we had cheese fondue for dinner.
The day was eventful and funny, it was nice meeting new people and getting to know the neighbourhood. Most importantly, we got to enjoy the beautiful Colombian nature!
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