Semana Santa 2007

This year for Holy Week, Spring Break, we went on a trip to the Zona Cafetera, the Coffee Region. This is the region in Colombia that makes about 90% of the coffee that is shipped around the world and is known for being a very tranquil, restful, and beautiful place. We actually posted an article about this region of Colombia written by a New York Times journalist who visited Colombia and raved about the beauty. This part of the country is also know for very warm, hospitable people, they are the descendants of people who settled this area after fleeing Medellin, paisas.

We decided we wanted to drive. We rented a car with another couple. JC and Jocelyn work at CNG with us and they have an eight month old baby Amelie. The original plan was to gather our group and go. However, all backed-out for various reasons except the Hincapie clan. Liz & I thought it would be a good idea to go with them and travel with a baby. It would be good practice.

The trip turned out to be amazing. We had a great time at two different places. One place was right in the middle of the coffee country. We had a house to ourselves for a couple of days until a few more people showed up. We swam in our private pool and drove around the area. We hiked in the Valle de Cocora. It was a wonderful time to spend with Liz and our friends.

The second place we stayed was in Manizales at this thermal water resort. We had our our cabin and thermal jacuzzi. That was the most restful time of the trip where we just enjoyed the water and conversation.

The best part of the entire trip was the driving. I love the road trip. I love the music, the scenes, the people met, and the conversations had. Colombia is beautiful to drive through. It can be wild at times seeing that you may be driving in the mountains on a two lane road. This was our last major trip in Colombia. We are now focused on finishing out the year and coming home for more adventures. Look for pictures to come soon.