Local food and the giant beetle (Visiting San Agustín)

Just had to put in a pictures of the giant beetle, more about that later – Yes, the beetle is sitting on Esben’s hand!

Ones again everything just takes longer getting from one place to another, this time is was from the Tatacoa desert to San Augustin. At the same time it was great to leave the heat in the desert behind us, and getting up into the mountains again for a much more comfortable temperature.

 

One the way we stopped in a small town and had a set lunch menu for just 10,000 pesos (3,35 UDS) for two persons. Everything you see in the pictures was included: juice, vegetable soup, grilled meat with vegetables, cabbage, rice and a small piece of sweet bread. At this price it is cheaper for us to eat out. Making two sandwiches with canned tuna is about the same price, because canned food is expensive here in Columbia.

The temperature was high in the town, where we stopped for lunch, so one of the locals was earning a little bit of money by covering the seats with cardboard – we could have used that in the desert!

Back on the motorcycles – off course Esben was ready with the camera, and got a few nice photos of what you can transport on a motorcycle… how about a big kite?

You can pretty much get everything with you on the bus. This guy was securing things on the rooftop while the bus was driving

Our if you need to move… don’t rent a trailer, just mount it on top of the car roof. Looks safe?

 

Still you have to be aware all the time when riding here, check out how little space there is left in our lane, when a big truck comes around the tight corner

We didn’t get hit by anything falling of cars, busses or motorcycles, and got to San Agustin were we had decided to stay at Posada Campesina. The place was a mix between a hotel and a hostel. We could use the kitchen, but also got served coffee every morning . In San Agustin the temperature ranged from 13 Celsius during the night to 25 Celsius during the day, the average temperature is 19 Celsius – perfect for us after some hot days in the Tatacoa desert.

Posada Campesina was owned by a really nice elderly couple

Taking care of the place and the amazing garden – were we could pick oranges and lemons

 

The place had safe parking for the motorcycles, and a nice open dining area. Having passion fruits for breakfast – they taste amazing and cheap here. Just ask for “Maracuyá”.

 

After getting to San Agustin we took the next day of, which luckily was a Sunday  because Sunday is the best day to try the local snacks. First Esben tried some kind of mini corn pita bread stuffed with chicken, potatoes and spices. In Columbia it is called “Arepa rellena”. We also tried “Blanuiao” (right picture) with roasted peanuts, which is very sweet and made from sugar (Panela), egg white and gelatin. We loved it!

 

Here is a list over a few things that we can recommend:

• Arepa rellena (mini corn pita bread with filling)
• Blanquiao –the sweet stuff
• Papa rellena con huevo (a deep-fried egg with potato around it)
• Empanada (half moon with different kinds of filling  fx chicken, beef, fish, rice, cheese etc.)
• Bunuelo (deep-fried cheese ball)
• Guarapo (sugarcane drink with lime – choose a place where they make them fresh by valveing the sugarcane)
• Hervidos (Hot drink made of mixed fruit fx passion fruit, blackberry, tamatillo)
• Arepa con queso y miel (corn bread with honey and cheese)  one of my favorites! (left picture)
• Grilled meat on a stick served with a potato on top (right picture)

 

Then there was this morning wen I woke up, and went outside to exercise – first I thought it was a toy for the dogs, but then it started to move. I ran back in and woke up Esben, because he just had to seen this beetle. I have tried to find the name of the beetle, but couldn’t find the right one on Google. If you know the name, please let us know – Thank you.

 

Sorry if he looks a little bit tired, but he agreed that it was okay, that I woke him up, just to see the beetle

 

Sometimes amazing things just happens where you are. Take time and enjoy it! Like going for a walk in the neighborhood… enjoying the sunset, sitting in the park watching the local life and tasting the local snacks.

Have time to notice the animals and plants – in the right picture you se coffee beans, which are ripe when they turn red.

 

Just nearby we saw the monuments from the pre-Columbian age during our walk.

Pretty much every place we visit, people give us great directions for day rides in the area, but to be honest… after riding several days, spending 6-8 hours on the motorcycle we really enjoy not to have to sit on the motorcycles. We use them for transport, like the day we visited the Estrecho del Magdalena, which is a part of Rio Magdalena that is very narrow. At this time of year the water level is low and we had a great view of the Estrecho.

 

Explore and sit to take in the view and the sound of the rushing water

 

And my heart jumped into my throat, when saw this guy 

So everything is not rainbows and sunshine , but being in the moment is important for us. Next post, learn more about “The Rocks” in the San Agustin Archaeological Park.