Saturday, February 7, 2015

CaucaViejo (Jericó-1) - X

Feb 7th, 2015
Cauca is the name of the wide and winding river that creates the famed Valle del Cauca to the south with its extensive agriculture. To the north, closer to Medellin, the river meanders through foothills and creates narrower valleys. Still, the result is a beautiful countryside. Our new accommodation is Cauca Viejo (Cauca Old) which is a replica of a turn-of-the-century Colombian pueblo (village), the Cauca Valley's period of colonization.



It is an extensive compound with new buildings that recreate a period from over 100 years ago. It's gated and free from all commercialism. Mostly, it is used by Colombian families on long weekends from the city. It's quaint and quiet, lying along the Cauca River and surrounded by beautiful countryside.  Did I mention the paragliding off the surrounding mountainous terrain? Perhaps not. 

One of the local sites here is called Jericó, belonging to its town by the same name. This very old settlement is picturesque. There is a cable car that ascends from near the edge of town to a point just above the launch It's centro square is teeming with restaurants, bars, outdoor tables and shops. Vans and buses are forbidden, as the town is protected from shameless tourism.

We arrived to launch just as weather 15 km to the east began thundering. Although it was drifting away from us, we waited to confirm. In that time, it began to blow down and then weather behind us ended the day with rain. No one flew. 

We shopped for supplies and retreated to our hacienda, where Lucho prepared us a wonderful pasta meal and told us stories about his amazing country.  And the aguardiente flowed.

Tomorrow, we are determined to fly. 

1 comment:

  1. Took me a few days to find these newer posts as they are getting listed out of chronological order.

    Scenery and stories sound lovely, but with all the prep days you guys had, you must be chomping at the bit for more -- and hopefully getting better flying weather soon. T-storms probably means it OD'd which portends active air which I know you guys can devour like a good pasta meal. Bon appetite!

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