I left Medellin early this morning to catch the bus to Jardin. It was a minibus (around 12 people) and I got to sit up front with the French lady I met at the bus station, Bridgete, who was also travelling on her own.

The route to Jardin was really scenic but also a little scary as there had been several landslides along the way and at one point literally half the road was gone! Luckily we had a good driver, who was also lovely and shared his oranges with us.

Jardin itself is a beautiful town with a gorgeous ‘minor basillica’.

I decided to walk from the bus station to my hostel – not realising it was mainly an uphill 20 minute walk – which felt longer with both my rucksacks! But the hostel is in such beautiful surroundings it’s worth the walk.

I then decided to trek over to the Jardin Crista del Rey. I took a unique route that took me through some fields where I had to avoid the barbed wire and electric fencing- but eventually I got back on the right path.

I then wandered back into town where I met a guy, Marcus from Germany, in the town square – we chatted for a bit and then decided it was time for a beer.

I then booked my trip to the ‘splendid cave’ tomorrow, before having an earlyish dinner at Cafe Europa. This is an amazing little restaurant where they literally cook everything from scratch after you order it.

I didn’t time it very well though as I had to walk back to the hostel in the dark but it was actually quite tranquil and I saw a lot of fireflies. The hostel has a pet dog and cat so I’m loving it.

And a tiny bat has just flown past me and made itself at home in the roof above the sofa.