Coffee Tour
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Strangest day ever. Today we had three guys accompany us to Buena Vista for a coffee tour. I am still trying to figure out why there were three of them. The car was a bit crowded for a two hour trip. There was a driver, a tour guide, and a translator. Well the driver did in fact drive, but the guide was not much help and the translator didn't translate much unless asked "What did he say?" It got a bit tiring. None the less, they were all very nice guys, just need a bit more experience, I think.
Arriving at Buena Vista, true to it's name, we took in the beautiful views. We were met by Don Leo at the plaza. It is his farm that we toured. He treated us to a cafe that served his Hane Coffee, while we waited for a lovely young woman who was traveling in Colombia from Montreal. She had been studying political science in Bogota. She was quite helpful in the translation department and told her she had a career in it if she ever wanted to give up politics.
The tour started with a mile and a half hike up and down to the farm. After yesterdays, 8 hour trek, my knees were none too happy. Along the way, we learned of Don Leo's life - in fact, I could write his biography at this point. Back in the hay day of the drug cartel, he worked as a chemist for them. As fascinating as all this was, it really didn't have much to do with coffee. Except for the fact that he gave everything up and bought the farm. Aiming to make excellent grade coffee and use fair hiring and work practices.
We eventually reached the hacienda where Don Leo showed us around the estate, explaining the different types of beans -- superior to inferior. The National Federation buys the inferior beans to sell to the public. The land is filled with fruit trees and flowers and herbs. After walking around the grounds, Don Leon gave us a gift of coffee -- which is much appreciated. Not wanting to walk back up the hill, we called the driver to come pick us up. Said good-bye and headed off to lunch.
Lunch was another adventure. The restaurant we were supposed to go to in the town was expectantly closed. Santiago, the guide, suggested another good restaurant in the next town. Traveling up the mountain we finally reached the top and found the restaurant was closed. What are the odds? At this point, everybody went into their snack bags that were provided. We went into the town square of Pijao and got lunch.
It was back down the mountain and back to Salento to switch vehicles to go to our next destination which you need four wheel drive, apparently. Another car, another driver, by now everyone in Colombia will know us. We drove for a long while, through country and then some city until we got to the turn off. Ah, the reason for the four wheel drive. This road was terrible and seemed endless. There was a lot of confusion about where we were going. Stop the car!! Thanks to modern technology you can call anyone even if you in the middle of nowhere -- and when I say we were in the middle of nowhere, I mean it!! Spoke with Paula and got things sorted out and we continued on our way.
Eventually we arrived at Hacienda Valencia, a coffee farm where we will be for the next couple of nights. Our room is lovely with a beautiful view of the mountains. Showered up, did some wash and went to the dining hall. Had some great conversations with people from Holland, German, UK, and Canada. Lots of Trump talk -- it's almost embarrassing to say you are an American.
Tomorrow we have yet another coffee tour on the farm. It is only supposed to take about 2 1/2 hours. Personally, I have my eye on the pool outside. It is time for some R&R.
Next time.... The Valencia Tour
Strangest day ever. Today we had three guys accompany us to Buena Vista for a coffee tour. I am still trying to figure out why there were three of them. The car was a bit crowded for a two hour trip. There was a driver, a tour guide, and a translator. Well the driver did in fact drive, but the guide was not much help and the translator didn't translate much unless asked "What did he say?" It got a bit tiring. None the less, they were all very nice guys, just need a bit more experience, I think.
The tour started with a mile and a half hike up and down to the farm. After yesterdays, 8 hour trek, my knees were none too happy. Along the way, we learned of Don Leo's life - in fact, I could write his biography at this point. Back in the hay day of the drug cartel, he worked as a chemist for them. As fascinating as all this was, it really didn't have much to do with coffee. Except for the fact that he gave everything up and bought the farm. Aiming to make excellent grade coffee and use fair hiring and work practices.
Lunch was another adventure. The restaurant we were supposed to go to in the town was expectantly closed. Santiago, the guide, suggested another good restaurant in the next town. Traveling up the mountain we finally reached the top and found the restaurant was closed. What are the odds? At this point, everybody went into their snack bags that were provided. We went into the town square of Pijao and got lunch. 
Gorgeous view from the hotel room. It would be great just to sit on the balcony sipping coffee, enjoying the countryside. If the inferior beans are sold to the public, who gets the superior beans?
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