An American overlander at El Panorama - Otis - recommended Rayos de Sol Ecoparque in Popayan - website looked good so we headed 284km north - still on the 25! It wasn't for us - swarms of mosquitos greeted us as we stepped out of the car!!
Passed a new Motel on the road 5km south - Ruta 12 - so headed back there - only to find it is a Love Hotel where rooms can be booked for a maximum of 3 hours only! Apparently that's what Motel means in this part of the world!!
Dusk approaching once again - we ask Maps.me and end up at the San Martin Hotel - but no rooms at the Inn!! Back to booking.com and the Hotel La Plazuela pops up - Old Town, Colonial architecture and looks great! Make a swift reservation and 10 minutes later pull up outside. It's a 'Yes' man's dream - Choice of Rooms? "Yes - the Bell Boy will show you 3". Upper Floor? "Yes - all 3". Outward Facing with Balcony? "Yes - all 3". Secure Parking? "Yes - the Bell Boy will show you the way".
Pablo parked behind a BIG gate, Room selected and Bags unloaded, we went for a stroll around the Old Town, loved the Christmas Lights in the Parque Caldas (Central Square) - Magical!
On the way back down Calle 5 to the Hotel we bought Chuzos de Pollo con Papas from a Street BBQ Stall and enjoyed dinner Al Fresco!!
