where the rain actually came from, Medellin... The only way there - only open road - was the *Linea* A twisty high elevation road from Ibaque to Armenia, the coffee zone. I had ridden that road 2 years ago when first arriving in South America, It was "deja vue" Reminded me of the smelly trucks and busses. It seemed worse 2 years ago, but I guess after over 50 000 kms in South America, smelly trucks, busses, cold, wet, curves, crazy, traffic, up, down, fast, slow, coffee stops.... it was all the same, just another beautiful road in the Andes of Colombia....
Time to leave Suesca, a flooded house from the overflowing river near the climbing of Suesca.
Not a landslide, but just another crazy truck driver along the road.
The journey from Suesca took nearly 10 hours to finally get in the peaceful valle of Cocora, near the little charming town of Salento. No more big trucks and stinky busses, just willy jeeps along dusty dirt roads.
Fresh coffee - Fresh milk!
Out here, people use more horses then cars, thank God!
Colorful homes of Salento.
the # 1 jeep of Colombia... will take you everywhere.
roadside discussions
Local Gauchos of Salento (cowboys)
Classic cars.
Salento
The puppet show.
Main street Salento.
Funny to say, but good coffee is not so easy to find in Colombia, as most hi quality coffee is exported.
But when you do find the perfect cappuccinos, wow... yummiii...
Just don't be surprised to see Nescafe all over! It should be a crime to have in Colombia!
The Cocora valley is the valley of the upper reaches of the Quindío River, the principal river of the department of Quindío, located at an altitude between 1800 and 2400 meters.
"Cocora" was the name of a Quimbayan princess, daughter of the local chief Acaime, and means "star of water".
There are more than 3000 species of palms. Most of them grow in the tropics. They like the hot climate. However, some, like the Wax Palm, grow at higher altitudes, where the temperature is much cooler.
The Wax Palm is the tallest palm tree in the world and can reach a height of up to 70 m. It has several unequaled characteristics.
Church in the main plaza of Filandia, another charming town in the coffee zone.
