The Willy in question is neither a killer whale nor the future King of England. Willys Jeeps are the workhorse vehicles synonymous with Colombia’s mountainous coffee region. Their use dates back to 1946 when they were acquired post-WWII for coffee farmers. Thanks to their indestructible chassis, four-wheel drive, ability to tackle any terrain and carry … More Free Willy: Riding the Back Roads Around Salento
It took almost four hours to make the trip from Medellin to Jardin (pronounced Har-deen), a distance of just 130 km; passable by the only available route that links the two cities – a twisty mountain road high in the Andes. We have traversed similar roads on mini-buses with poor suspension, hurtling over potholes by … More Peaceful Jardin: Coffee and Cowboys
While all of Colombia was impacted by the decades-long armed conflict and Pablo Escobar’s drug empire, Medellin was Ground Zero, earning it the notorious title in the 80’s of being “the most dangerous city in the world.” You can take Escobar Tours and even buy t-shirts with images of Pablo’s blood-stained face, but most Colombians … More Medellin: Escobar is a Dirty Word
This is the oft-repeated marketing blurb that precedes a visit to Barichara; and without having visited the dozens of other small towns in Colombia that might lay claim to a similar boast, I would say that Barichara lives up to the hype. Barichara was founded in 1705 and was declared a National Monument in 1978 … More The Prettiest Town in Colombia
Strolling the streets of Villa de Leyva is like entering a magic kingdom, with its whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and cobblestoned streets. so it is only fitting that on the outskirts of this photogenic little village, lies the Casa Terracotta. This home took environmental architect Octavio Mendoza almost 20 years to complete. It is a … More The Largest Clay House in the World
Well, we are here in Colombia and with jet lag, altitude adjustment, and attitude adjustment behind us, we feel as though the journey has begun. So far, the altitude has not been a real issue, other than occasional shortness of breath, but our (my?) attitude adjustment took a little longer. Stories of express kidnappings, the … More Bogota: A City in Transition
Leaving Ourselves Behind 