Leaving Manizales

Day 9 (Day 5 of the Gate 1 tour). Today, we left Manizales very early in the morning to take a 5 1/2–hour drive over the mountains to Medellin. Because of the locations of the airports, it was quicker to drive to Medellin than to fly to it.

Road to Medellin

Much beautiful Andes Mountains scenery on our route.

Road to Medellin

There were at least 40 of these “Curva Peligrosa” (Dangerous Curve) signs along our route.

Road to Medellin

Also, there were many of this “Risk of accident” sign. Our bus driver was so careful and such an excellent driver that it was not a scary ride.

Road to Medellin

We passed through small mountain villages along the way.

Road to Medellin

We also passed this coffee plantation.

Coming into Medellin

Coming into Medellin.

Medellin

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia and has many modern, high–rise, red–brick buildings. It is, however, infamous due to being the previous headquarters of Pablo Escobar, the drug lord, drug trafficker, and narco–terrorist and its labeling as the murder capital of the world. Escobar was killed in 1993 and Medellin made its way back to normalcy. Pablo Escobar tours are offered in Medellin.

Photo taken at an overlook on the top of Nutibarra Hill.

Pueblito Paisa

Also on Nutibarra Hill is Pueblito Paisa, a replica of an early 19th–century Antioquia (an area of Colombia) town. We ate lunch here.

I have put my photos of our mountain drive and of Pueblito Paisa on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/medellin–to–and–at/

(Slide Shows, South America, Colombia–2, “Medellin: To and At”).

Museum of Antioquia

After lunch, we went to Plaza Botero to visit the Museum of Antioquia, in which many paintings and sculptures by Fernando Botero were on display.

Plaza Botero

Outside the museum, in Plaza Botero, there were many bronze statues by Botero.

I have put my photos of the Museum of Antioquia and of Plaza Botero on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/medellin–plaza–boteromuseum/

(Slide Shows, South America, Colombia–2, “Medellin: To and At”).

Plaza Botero

When we arrived at Plaza Botero, there was a large police presence outside the museum. They looked like they were prepared for a riot. However, it was all relaxed and the police left before we did. A drill or acting on a rumor of trouble? We never did find out.