Exploring the Jungle of Minca

We wanted to immerse ourselves in the jungle while being in Columbia as we had heard wonderful things about the scenery. What better way to see the jungle then with our new friends Jack and Fizzy! We booked two huts in an eco lodge in the jungle that was high in the mountains. We also found out that this place served amazing, healthy vegetarian food that people had raved about so we were very excited about that.  

We found sitters for the dogs and we were off to explore!!! Once in Minca where the cab dropped us off we made our way up the mountain to check out the eco lodge. Once at the top (hot and sweaty) we were met by the hotel staff who gave us each a glass of cold mountain fresh water!! They explained all the activities in the area and we decided on a group Spanish lesson and yoga! They then showed us our huts where we would be staying and we were blown away! They we immersed in the jungle, each with private balconies overlooking the mountains and beyond. The huts were breathtaking! We enjoyed a delicious lunch  and as it it does in the rainforest, the sky opened up and it poured rain! This gave us a great opportunity (excuse) that we were looking for to go back to our rooms for the afternoon and relax! 

We met up later for our Spanish lessons as the sun was setting. Our teacher was amazingly expressive and had a very educative way of showing us the ropes of the language. Once finished we were off to enjoy fresh made cocktails for happy hour and put our new skills to practice!! We enjoyed a gourmet 3 course dinner which was better then most restaurants we had been too! After dinner, Jack and Fizzy impressed the crowd with some live music from the guitar and recorder.

The next morning we had our yoga class overlooking the expanse of the jungle below from the sunset platform. We build up quite an appetite for breakfast as we ordered the largest plate available! Complete with fresh squeezed passion juice, scrabbled eggs and assorted fruit the meal was wonderful. Sadly, we had to then leave our rooms but get ready for the trek ahead.

After locking up our belongings, we took our daypacks and headed to a waterfall in the area where we could swim in freshwater! (For us cruisers this is a luxury surrounded by saltwater) We must have missed a turn along the way and ended up hiking a few extra miles but the exercise was great! Once at the waterfall we all swam and the water was fresh and cold as expected.

On our way back, we stopped into a house that had a roadside sign for iced coffee. While enjoying the coffee, we met a very nice family who lived there. They told us all about their farm where they grow everything fresh and life in Columbia! 

Once back in Minca, we headed to a coca shop to get some chocolate. The man who worked there was very helpful at explaining all the little "extra" products that they had available for sale.

After returning the boat, we reunited with the pups and all went out for a nice dinner to celebrate the ending of a wonderful trip to the jungle.