Santa Rosa de Cabales - Thermal Baths

After breakfast at the hotel we packed our things.  I put half a bottle of Amaretto into a water bottle to save space in the backpack.  We got to the South bus station early and waited for the bus to leave.  This would be our first bus trip while traveling in a country from city to city.  we decided that in order to not take a 12 hour ride from major city to major city we would break the distance by finding a place in between.  We were headed to Santa Rosa de Caballes from Medellin. 

After checking the bus fares and times that they travel, we agreed on a mini van instead of a big bus.  Carmen suffered from car sickness and feeling nauseous.  The driver stopped midway and we were able to eat.  When we got to the town the driver asked that we have the claim ticket ready for the bags, and I put my phone down inside the van before exiting.  Just as the driver was leaving I felt I did not have my phone.   We dug in the packs and did not find it.  What a horrible feeling!  I use the phone for maps to help us navigate as we travel and now we had to relay on Carmen....... who does not know google maps downloading. 

We found a taxi that took us to the tourist spot where we had to make a decision between 3 thermal baths areas.  We decided on San Vicente Banos.  We got the full packet....included 3 meals per day for each, transport to the baths and back to the town.  The ride on the medium sized bus was very bumpy and we could barely see the road because it was dark.  There were no lights anywhere and only one car fit on the road.  The drier had to stop for other cars coming on the road.  Once we got to the entrance gate we were given a ride to the room in a 87 Land Cruiser.  Made me miss my blue 1986 Land Cruiser. Once at the cabins we were given a map and the rundown of where everything was. 

We decided to not waste time and changed to bathing suits and walked down the private dark path to the private area for those staying the night.  We found 4 other guests there.  There was a sauna but it was too hot to enter.  Because it was a weekend they only had one night available.  We kept checking if anyone had cancelled so we could get another night, but there were no cancellations. 

​After dinner we walked around and around midnight we went to take a shower and found there was not any hot water.  The restroom window did not have a curtain and we could be seen taking a shower.  Carmen put her scarf up on the window.  

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