Day 14, 15 - Medellin

Yesterday was a very low energy day.  Andy and I had 7am COVID tests.  Walked around Laureles and had coffee.  We had lunch across the street from the hotel with Ray my driver before he took Mike to the airport.

Mike reports that just about everything went wrong after getting dropped off.  Long line at the Copa counter, got charged for the bike, just in time to board, randone COVID test in Toronto and 4 day self quarantine.

Andy and I had a good basic burger for dinner and called it a day.

This morning we ate some breakfast and walked over to Centro to view the Botero sculptures.  I love those.  Botero is one of my favorite artists.

This piece was where a bomb was set off in 1995 that killed 30 and injured hundreds in the crowded square.

A brisk walk back to the hotel and it was time for the final pack up and a short nap.

Ray sent an associate as his car was too small.  We just barely fit into the larger car.  Traffic to the airport was heavy.  The new tunnel I went through for the first time may be faster but it seemed slower with far more traffic than in previous years.

At the gate and will be home in a few hours.  Great trip!!

Day 13 - Medellin

The bike boxes were our number one priority.  Without them we had big problems.  The hotel said they haven't seen them.

Last night we had called in Diana to help track them down.  She had called Deprisa who said they were delivered to the hotel.  This morning she came to the hotel and after breakfast she started working the hotel staff.

What broke the case was a picture of the bike box.  They were thinking a cardboard box or something.  The shipping manager took us to the top floor backroom storage and there they were.  Major relief.

After that were were able to enjoy the day.

We walked around Laureles with Diana.  Mike got a COVID test in the hotel room.  We packed up the bikes. Went to El Poblado to buy fancy coffee.  Then we had an absolutely amazing lunch at Alambique.  I think that place is my favorite restaurant in the whole world.  

Day 12 - La Pintada to Medellin

Stupid blogger just lost my whole post.  Let's see how much I remember of what I wrote before.

We slept in a bit, were all ready to go and got the hotel breakfast at 6:30.  On the road about 7:30 and as soon as we crossed the bridge on Rio Cauca for the last time, we began to climb.  42km and 2000m to Alto de Minas.

Once past the heat and humidity of the river the sun came out and the views opened up.  It steadily got cooler and more beautiful.

Mike and Andy left me almost immediately and I would not see them until the city.  They reached the top about an hour before me.

I stopped for a few short breaks including a delicious bowl of pollo sopa.  The friendly dog watching me was very happy when I flipped the liver out of the bowl to him when the waitress was not looking.  At Versalles I stopped for a Coke and knew I was getting close.

The last section was pretty steep: 8-11%, but then I saw the sign Alto de Minas and knew I was about the get my downhill payoff!

The descent was fast and I took the Avenida Las Vegas turn off and pulled over to find Mike and Andy.  They could see me on the street from their chairs in the Mall Vegas Plaza.  We had some burgers and ice cream parfaits before working our way through the urban traffic on Avenida Las Vegas and then bike paths to the hotel.

We had an end of tour beer before checking in.

At check-in we got the bad news the hotel had no idea where the bike boxes were.  Panic button time!  Lots of messages for help to get things figured out.

For dinner we met my friend Lenin and went to an Argentina steak house.  On the way a moto got cut off by a car and the rider bounced down the street right beside us.  Lenin took charge and called an ambulance.  The rider was dazed but conscious and moving.  He was hurt but it seemed like he would heal.