The streets of Honda

Day 246 – November 3rd, 2014.

Breakfast in bed thanks to Enrique. A good coffee and not the traditional Colombian style, not sure where he found them but awesome. Also some soft drinks and a corn paste wrapped in banana leaf.

Early coffee and breakfast in bed from Enrique

“Tamales for breakfast in Mariquita”

Once we were all ready to check out of the hotel in Mariquita the real breakfast that Enrique was hanging out for was the famous Tamales. Yesterday we had one but it was not really very exciting and Enrique had promised to take us to this place to have what he said would be a very good Tamales.

And it was a really good tasty Tamales, without bone and really hot which made it a pleasure to eat. I also wanted to try the scrambled eggs with plantain yummy as well.

Tamales for breakfast in Mariquita

“The famous bakery El Nectar in Mariquita”

Felling very satisfied we made a stop at the famous bakery in Mariquita called El Nectar, Enrique said that if you visit Mariquita and don’t know El Nectar then you havent been to Mariquita. This bakery was super busy, with people eating their and also buying products to take home. We bought a few pieces and were quickly on our way.

A lot of the breads made have a sweet flavour to them which is what the locals love. We had sampled a few breads last night while walking around.

El Nectar bakery in Mariquita

Our drive to Honda was not long, but took us past beautiful lush fields and roadside sellers along the way.

On the way to Honda

“Honda in Tolima”

The weather today was getting better buy the minute. We parked the car and walked around the square in Honda where as usual a church could be found, before venturing down to the hill to the markets.

The church in Honda

Enrique told us that the streets of Honda have been used in some films and walking around you can see how they would lend themselves to the movies easily. He wasn’t able to tell us which specific movies.

Honda in Colombia

The town of Honda is very original in Colombian decor with colourful homes and stone faced buildings, a the classic white church etc.

Honda in Colombia

Enrique & Esperance played tour guide for us again today which we are very grateful for.

Great friends in Honda

The road down to the markets in Honda with views around.

Honda markets

This is an old part of Honda and the Plaza Municipal de Mercado dates from 1917 with coliseum like pillars. Inside are lots of stalls and various shops.

The Honda markets

The place is bustling with life, people selling their wares and shoppers buying fresh produce to dried goods to cleaning products just your old style Wal-Mart or Tesco or Woolworth’s.

Honda markets

After a walk around the market with Enrique looking to buy some fresh fish, unfortunately all vendors being sold out or just not having much available we decided to have a beer and then walk back up to the square. I bought the cheapest three beers… $5 AUD, wow.

Honda images

“It was time to leave Honda now and begin the journey back to Medellin”

Our route was the same as we drove coming to Mariquita, but now it was in daylight. We stopped at a roadside parrilla for some typical Colombia food for lunch before continuing.

Lunch stop in the mountains on the way back to Medellin

These are some images of the scenery that we saw on the way.

The drive back to Medellin from Honda

Eventually arriving back in Medellin with the city lights filling the skyline.