We arrived at the Hotel. Plazuela at 1 pm and went out exploring Popayan about an hour later, Popayán is a city in western Colombia. It's known for its whitewashed colonial buildings and as a religious centre with popular Holy Week processions. The city's many churches include the domed, neoclassical Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption and the 17th-century Church of La Ermita. In the city’s heart, tree-shaded Caldas Park is home to a 17th-century clock tower.
We had trouble finding our way back and had to ask in a chemist. Then Chris had a siesta, read a bit before going out for another walk and booking a table for dinner in the Camino Real restaurant. Then down to the Bridge of Humiliation.
We ate a pleasant six course meal at 7:30 pm, but nothing special. We chatted to a foursome from England and Australia. We were disappointed with our dinner. I did not think that this restaurant was up to the standard that some Tripadvisor reviews have thought. Whilst there was nothing wrong with the meal, it was all "middle of the road". Service too was "middle of the road", but price was very expensive for what we got At their prices, the food should be great, and the service impeccable. Neither lived up to this mark
Next morning we had a leisurely breakfast at 9 o’clock, and this was much better than we had expected, having read Tripadvisor. We were the only people in the vaulted restaurant and the sun shone on us
We went out exploring at 11 am., went into the Pantheon for the heroes and tried to enter a museum , which we discovered was only open for a half hour period. We ended up at the Bridge of Humiliation and went into the inviting café nearby where we had a smoothie and a cheesecake each. The waitresses there were fascinated by the boyzz.
Back in the room. We read again, and had a snack before going down to the hotel for a beer and a coffee An interesting day in the "white town" of Columbia.
We met the same foursome at breakfast the following day, which was fine again. We then crossed the road to a chemist to buy David some cough sweets for his bad cold. We set off at 9 o’clock for our last day with Freddie, stopping after about two hours and then again after another two hours for lunch of chicken and rice in a very noisy roadside eatery.
Hotel Plazuela
This is an historic building, with plenty of atmosphere, but not run professionally as a hotel. Reception is pretty basic and the "restaurant" is actually a cafe that serves a standard, not very inspiring breakfast
Our room faced the street - I did not consider that it was too noisy. But was basic/minimalist in style.
There is not much option in eating dinner. We tried the Camino Real restaurant, which claimed to offer fine dining, but were disappointed.
There is not a great choice of hotels in Popayan, and because of its location and atmosphere, I would be happy to stay here again
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The town of Popayan is an attractive "white town", but had little to hold our attention - we stayed two nights, and one night would have been better.
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Back at base very soon after 1pm, we read and had a siesta. David was feeling well below par with a bad cold. We met the guide, another David, for our afternoon walk tour at 3:30. But David was not impressed by him and decided to absent himself after 10 minutes. Although the guide David was somewhat weak in his history, Chris then got on quite well with him. She visited several courtyards in colonial houses, one of which housed the processional. floats used during holy week. Another had a large deep footpath in the courtyard, used to refresh their feet after walking round the town, barefoot on the cobbles. It raised the status of a house, if it had its own footbath. Another had a fountain which was also a status symbol as they did not need them to use the town water supply. Then on into the university which was most impressive. Then into Santa Domingo church which had very sturdy structures in it. They finished in a café where Chris tried empanadas And a red fruit granita drink
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