A Trip to Laguna de la Cocha

Laguna de la Cocha is a large lake high in the Andes at about 9,000 feet. It's 45 minutes from Pasto and is a must-see attraction in Southern Colombia, according to our guidebook.

Getting there was not easy. First we had to find the collectivo (van) that picks up folks in Pasto in front of a church on the edge of the centro.

It took a lot of walking and Daniel's willingness to confront strangers for directions, but we finally located it.

The collectivo took us down to the lakeside community of El Puerto where a friendly boatman immediately offered to take us to an island in the middle of the lake that is a national park and flora sanctuary.

About 50 species of birds inhabit the island.

There was a nice hike through a jungle-like forest full of all kinds of bromeliads.

It was lovely.

We were the only tourists on a somewhat rainy Friday, except for another young couple.