Colombia-Joyas y Cafe Day 8

Day 8 - Monday, March 31, 2014 - Last Leg of the Coffee Triangle; Visit Salento and the Cocora Valley; Explore Cocora National Park in Yipaos; Guided Hike of Cloud Forest; Study of the Wax Palm

We were up and ready to leave the hacienda at 8:00 this morning. This group is very prompt and considerate which makes traveling a pleasure no matter which country you are visiting.

Today we headed south on the third corner of the coffee triangle. The sun was peeking out of a few dark thunderheads after the rain we had last night.

Both Hector and Alejandro greeted us as we got on the bus, as do all of the people we meet in Colombia. Edgar reminded us of our quest for the day, the third leg of the coffee triangle. Alejandro gave us more specific information as we drove through Pereira.

In addition to the industries we learned about initially, he told us more about the rise of cosmetic surgery. Beginning with the money from the drug cartels for enhanced "beauty” many women now believe the chances for a good life only come from surgical procedures.

We passed coffee groves around each corner, always with the owner's hacienda on the highest hilltop. Fields of bananas or plantains, covered greenhouses, and land for cattle grazing are also important for the economy.

Hector stopped so people could take a few photos of the beautiful scenery. We saw a few coffee pickers already with their bags half full. Alejandro told us another reason for the labor shortage is because the government has hired men to go to the south and destroy the cocaine plants.

This is very dangerous work because of the land mines and the drug cartels that are trying to protect their crops. Although the money is much better, the risk is exponential.

Plantations of eucalyptus trees stand out in straight rows. The trees were not native, but brought from Australia and are used for paper production.

On our way into Salento, Edgar gave us all a package of coffee cookies to whet our appetites for the best coffee in the world. In Salento, we went straight to Jesus Martín Coffee Shop.

Barista Sorany gave us an explanation of roasting and the serving of quality coffee. We participated in a fragrance test, smelling the roasted and ground beans. Then John, another barista, added boiling water for the aroma test.

Alejandro explained that caffeine is released when the coffee grounds come into contact with the hot water. Of course, we each had a cup of espresso, cappuccino, mocha, or hot chocolate specially decorated with "latte art" by Sorany. Vic was able to talk with the owner of this specialty shop, Jesus Armando Bedoya and learned even more about the family coffee business.

Our next adventure was to go to Cocora Valley. The ride to Cocora National Park was in 1954 Willys Jeeps. Many, called yipaos are colorfully painted and used in parades and celebrations.

The Jeeps are primarily used to transport workers to the fields and also carry heavy sacks of coffee or potatoes. Our driver, Hernando told us that the most people he ever hauled was 34!

From the base of the park, we trekked up into the cloud forest for two hours. Edgar gave us plantain chips as an energy snack before our hike. The hike was steep and on a rocky path used by horses and cattle.

We stopped as often as needed for water breaks. Starting at 8,000 feet, even those of us from higher altitudes could feel the pressure. The temperature when we began our walk was 75° and the humidity was 62%.

Alejandro, Mary Jo, and Joan were in the lead. When someone would ask, "how much further up?" Alejandro's answer would always be the same, "just around the next bend in the trail."

We climbed to the scenic overlook, just over 8,600 feet, and congratulated ourselves on our accomplishment. At the top the temperature was 64° and the humidity high in the cloud forest was 91%.

Photos of the nine of us were taken, taking turns snapping pictures. After water and a brief rest, we reluctantly left the serenity of the mountain top and hiked back down to the bottom.

We had our lunch in the Restaurante Bosque de Cocora at 1:30. Before we left Cocora National Park, several of us participated in a ceremony giving back to Mother Earth.

Marino, an ecologist and guide, walked with us back into the forest where we planted a small wax palm shoot. Traditionally the palm is planted and blessed in the ritual of the local Quimbayas people. The wax palm is the national tree of Colombia and is in danger of extinction.

Palms do not ordinarily grow at this altitude, but these giants, second in height only to our sequoia trees, adapted to the high altitude. They have been used and abused during the last 500 years. OAT has helped to preserve this stately species and in the less than 3 years in operation in Colombia, groups like ours have planted almost 400 trees.

We left the National Park at 3:00 and headed back to the town of Salento. We had about an hour to explore the quaint town, have another coffee at Jesus Martín’s and then at 4:30 Hector took us back home to Hacienda Castilla by 5:30.

Our days and evenings have been so full on this adventure. Edgar spares no expense in providing authentic opportunities for us. As the group is small and very compatible, we are thrilled with the extra attention he has provided.

We had a bit of time to relax, begin the journal and find the five most representative photos of the day. Tonight, Claudia served dinner; we enjoyed her famous cannoli, served with bruschetta and panatone for dessert.

Tomorrow is an all day travel day so we came back to the room to finish the journal and pack for our trip back to Bogota and then a connecting flight on to Cartagena.

Accommodations: Hacienda Castilla - - - Meals included: B, L, & D

To receive $100 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062

Gracias por el video muy bueno y su visita a Café Jesús Martín.

Get a job hippies! :) Thanks so much for the baby gear Uncle Vic & Aunt Gen! Hope you are having a great trip. If you can, bring some coffee back for us, I think we might be needing it pretty soon. Love you both!

Day 10: Mediterranean Navigation

Antonio, Our Guide

Gardens at the Alcazaba

Roman Theater

Visiting with Picasso

Gennie & Vic, Malaga 2004

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