We said goodbye to two of our group today as they had to fly home and deal with a family matter. Poor things. So we had a bit of time at the finca in the morning to chill and try and photograph all of the birds. Colombia has the most diverse bird life in the world, and they have some fabulous ones, none of which I know their names!
Stopped at one of the roadside fruit markets and tasted loads of divine fruit, but again I have forgotten what each one is called. Maybe I have reached information overload?!
Armenia, the capital city of the coffee region, was obviously affected by the 1999 earthquake. Unfortunately they have rebuilt very 1960's looking concrete buildings, so it is not massively attractive, but we wandered around the High Street, and looked at the new (hideous) cathedral! I did like the statue of force though.
At least the Quimbaya Gold Museum was more pleasing on the eye, the building and the artefacts! It is interesting that the indigenous people of South America, Egypt and China all used to bury their leaders with artefacts (and often living relatives) to help them in their next life.
I have not mentioned the Jeep Willys! After the 2nd World War the Colombians bought a whole load of ex-military vehicles off the Americans. They have been lovingly restored, and pimped, and they regularly have competitions to see who can get the most people in one, and various other things. You see them all over the region.
The afternoon was to be spent travelling back from Armenia, via Bogota to Cartagena. After the traumas of the last trip we heard that the day after there had been riots at Bogota Airport and the President, and the police, had stepped in to restore order. Luckily our 4 hour connection was fairly ordered, was as ordered as anything can be in South America!
Out of sheer boredom I had found a Dunkin Donuts and decided to dunk one in a hot chocolate! It was an absolute taste sensation, but about 10 minutes later I felt so sick!!!
We arrived in Cartagena at about 11pm and I realised that it was already, officially, 1st December in the UK. The month of the Buble! The rest of the bus groaned when I decided to treat them to a little bit of "Jolly Holly Christmas", but I know they will weaken.....!
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