Travel Tips

For those of you planning your first trip abroad, I will share my  travel tips, most of which I learned the hard way!

1.  Pack your bag, then take half the clothes out!  Take a small carry on that will be easy to handle.

2. Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes on the flight.

3.  Take 2 comfortable pairs of shoes, one closed toed.

4.  Learn at the minimum a  few phrases of the language or languages native to the countries you will visit. Believe me, your visit will be a lot more fun and people will bend over backwards to help you.

5.  Take an extra fold up bag.

6.  Take a journal or even better, a micro tape recorder. Details tend to  soon fade in your memory.

7.  If possible, mark your photos by recording or some other method so you remember exactly where you took them. When you get home, immediately categorize them.

7.  Besides the medicines you usually take, include a prescription of antibiotics. Believe me, you don't want to come down with a stomach problem or chest infection without medicine!

8.  Check out the country or countries you plan to visit regarding what vaccinations you may need, as well as safety tips.

9. When speaking English in a non-English language country, speak softly, not louder.

10.  When sightseeing, remain alert!

11. Lastly, don't be the "Ugly American". Respect the culture of other countries.

Anyone have others to add? Please feel free to comment!

Colombia - A Dream Come True - Salento and a Dusty Jeep Ride Up the Mountain

Our host at the finca spoke so highly of the trout dinners served at a restaurant up the mountain from Salento, that we were eager to go. He was kind enough to escort us. Wow-what breathtaking scenery! And what a beautiful little town!

Church on the square

Salento attracts quite a crowd from the cities on the weekend. Luckily, we arrived early. I was enthralled by the seemingly "step back in time".

The old fashioned way!

Of course I was thrilled to see Paso Finos again.

Paso Fino waiting for the ride home

The sleepy town was just beginning to wake up.

Early Morning Pool

We walked around and stopped at a lookout to view the magificant scenery.

Wow!

View From Lookout

Then we strolled back to the square to check out the transportation for our trip up the mountain to the restaurant.

Which One Should We Choose?

Willis Jeep

As we began our trip, we noticed that our driver put a cloth in his mouth. Hmm, well I soon found out why. Dusty!! I soon joined him inside the jeep (not much better).

Dusty!

The dusty drive was well worth it, though.

Restaurant on the Mountain

We took our host's suggestion and ordered the trout. Delicious! He was also especially proud of the fact that they used unprocessed sugar (panela). We agreed that it was very tasty. On a later post I will take you to a sugar mill and you can see how it is produced.

Menu - Trout Featured

Our host showed me the Chiva buses that people from Pereira take up to the restaurant. What a fun country! The buses are decorated in bright colors and play  music. Those Colombianos know how to have a good time.

Our Host Showing Me the Chiva Buses

Apparently the restaurant offered horse rides to little children. Yet another Paso Fino. I'm in heaven!

Boy Leading Paso Fino

The national tree of Colombia is the Palma de cera. They are abundant on these mountainsides.

Palma de Cera Trees

After a full day we were pooped and dozed a little on the ride back to the finca. After a nice dinner we slept soundly. We were looking forward to our next sojourn--a trip to the National Coffee Plantation.

Stay tuned!

A Lesson From a Grandchild

I had a return visit from my number 2 grandson last week--just in the nick of time! The heat was really getting to me and it was getting more difficult every day to get my outside work done. But help arrived!! My 12 year old (soon to be 13) grandson stayed for a week and did all the heavy work for me. And taught me something besides! I kept watching him while he was working--he made it seem so much fun! What was his secret? Finally it dawned on me--he was totally living in the moment--while I am always thinking ahead to what I need to do next, he was "enjoying the moment."

He was up early every morning to feed the horses, give them fresh water and clean two paddocks. Of course it helped that Rufus jumped on the bed and licked him "good morning".

Breakfast!

Fresh, cool water

He has a way with animals. He was able to make friends with my cats--they don't come to anyone but me. Of course Moe was his best buddy, waiting patiently by the fence for him to put on his halter so he could get a little green grass in the yard. Unlike Bochica, who walked off from me every time he saw me with the halter.

I'm ready!

Very little grass left

Best friends!

Even Bochica made friends with him

You taste good!

Bochica  stood politely and lifted his feet (without a halter) for him to check his feet for sweetgum balls.

Of course both horses are "treat hounds".

Treats?

When I asked him to spread bird seed, he even made that fun. I think I'll try this next time!

What goes up must come down!

And what muscles!

We also did fun stuff--movies, museum, baking cookies, etc. It's always more fun with a grandchild.  He went home on Sunday, and it sure is quiet here now! Number 2 grandson, thanks for a wonderful week! Hope you don't grow up too quickly!

Hurrah for grandchildren--I always laugh a lot and enjoy life more when they are around! Who knows, maybe I'll learn yet how to "enjoy the moment".

.

Colombia - A Dream Come True - My Second Horseback Ride

I was eager to try out one of the horses at Hacienda San Jose (or "the finca" as we now call it). We walked down the path to the stables and saw several horses tied. I commented that I loved the Paso Fino that I had ridden in Cartagena and our host immediately assigned their one Paso Fino to me. Their other horses were criollos. Zorro, my horse, was an older horse, probably not a show horse like Marinara, but nevertheless I found him to be extremely smooth--I was now even more determined to buy one upon my return home!

Hmm, which one is mine?

What a sweetie!

Zorro and me

As you can see, our host personally inspected the rigging and adjusted my stirrups.

We had a delightful ride, going through pineapple fields, orange groves, and a bamboo forest. The mountains in the distance provided a great setting. And what lush grass--these horses have it made.

Lush grass for the horses

Bamboo forest

Their bamboo trees are quite a bit larger than ours here. Notice the fence post of bamboo. They also use it a lot for building. Wish I had bamboo fencing!

Mango trees

These trees provided our fresh mangoes. Delicious!

Pineapple fields

These pineapples were personal size--small - and very sweet!

Oranges ready for shipment

Another view of mountains

By this time it was late afternoon and the men decided that they wanted to ride to a sugar mill and watch the sunset. I felt uneasy about being out on horseback after dark, so my daughter-in-law and I elected to ride back to the finca (by ourselves). Of course we didn't know the way back, but our host assured us that the horses knew the way. He guided us to a road and said to just follow it and the horses would turn off on the path to the finca. To this day I can't believe I was brave enough to ride off through the countryside of Colombia!  Obviously I have a very plucky daughter-in-law.  Well, as we rode along, my daughter-in-law's horse shied (just a little) at the first couple of cars that we met on the dirt road. So I waved the others to slow down and said thank you in Spanish. The people were very nice about it. I'm sure they wondered what on earth we were doing there. Just as we began to feel a little nervous about getting back, the horses turned off on a small path. As the sun slipped behind the trees, we saw the lights of the finca welcoming us . A welcome relief!  We thankfully sank down in the sofa cushions and had appetizers and drinks while waiting for the men to return. What a great day and what a great ride! I love Colombia!!!

Stay tuned for our next adventure - a different kind of  ride -a jeep ride up the side of the mountain!

Colombia-A Dream Come True-Hacienda San Jose

I was sad to leave the Santa Clara, but little did I know that an even better adventure awaited me! We took a short flight to Pereira.  Our host met us at the airport and whisked us to a magical place--Hacienda San Jose.

Look at those bougainvilla!

This beautiful home was their family's IXX century mansion, soon to be turned into a small boutique hotel. Our hosts were presently  living there. The home is listed on the historical register of Colombia; therefore any restoration was strictly monitored. The walls of the bottom floor were  made of rammed earth and bulls' blood.

 I've never felt so welcome anywhere.  Hacienda San Jose was owned by mother and son. The son served as our guide and friend. Lucky for me he spoke fluent English. Others there spoke only Spanish. I did get to practice my Spanish a lot!  What fun!

I could get used to living like this!  The minute we walked out of our room in the mornings we were served coffee on the balconies. Then we were served a huge breakfast on the veranda - wonderful food - fresh picked fruit, our choice of eggs, meat, etc., all served on tables set with china and silver. Any time we sat down we were served refreshment and snacks. Dinner was a more formal affair in the dining room featuring traditional  Colombia dishes..

When I commented on all the beautiful and valuable objects left out, I was told that they considered their guests to be like family.

I felt myself relaxing more every day we were there. But for now, let's take a tour--

My bedroom

Other side of bedroom

My bathroom

Dining Area

Buffet

Look at those beautiful anterium freshly plucked from the garden!

Lovely!

Notice the inlaid wood ceilings throughout!

Lounging area with music

Lush!

Wow!

Our Breakfast Area

I have a table and chairs like these in my home!

My daughter-in-law on balcony of their bedroom

They keep their tack, polished to perfection,  inside

Pool area

Relaxing!

Flowers everywhere!

Grounds

Another view of grounds

Sitting area outside my bedroom

From this relaxing sitting area I gazed with amazement at this wonderful tree. This photo does not capture the magnificence!

This tree definitely gives great shade!

Notice the open windows everywhere--no air conditioning. They close the heavy shutters to the rooms around 4:00 p.m. and it stays comfortable enough to sleep and avoids mosquito bites. There are no bugs in the daytime. We went when it was their winter season--I wonder what it is like in the summer--I believe they have basically the same temperature all year long--I'll have to check!

More adventures to come--I'm sitting here by the pool waiting to begin!

Ready for my horseback ride!

Stay tuned for my horseback ride through orange groves, pineapple fields, bamboo forests, . . .