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Wednesday
July 29, 2015
Cristina's family continues to spoil me as they listen to my wishes and do their best to accommodate me, partly to relieve their days of boredom as well. I guess this is called a win-win situation.
I kept telling Cristina that Colombia was/is much too hot for me so she suggested that I check out Armenia, about 1.5 hours to the north, in the mountains, just like Cuenca at a similar altitude. One mention yesterday to Miguel and Natalia and the trip was planned, with possible fishing if we found the time.
The drive is picturesque with greenery and happy Brahma cows everywhere and the mountains rise as we travel on brand-new highways. Armenia is called the "Miracle City" for its great recovery from a devastating 1999 earthquake, and also "City Of Skyscrapers" because they do indeed have a lot of tall buildings. It reminds me a lot of Quito, but on a much smaller scale.
As we were driving inside Armenia I look down and see a holstered gun that Miguel has brought for protection. As they did in Tulua the day before, they warn me to be aware of possible kidnapping attempts. I joke that I am too big for kidnappers to lift me but, on the other hand, I decide that I don't want to live in any place where such warnings, or guns, are needed. Nice place, but I don't want to live there. Something in the back of my mind tells me that my friend Luz came from this city, and fled because of the violence 14 years ago.
Natalia is an aficionado of insects, bugs and all things creepy-crawly. So we went to a neighbouring town where they have a Jardin Botanico Del Quindio (a botanical garden with butterfly conservatory). We went on this long nature walk, crossing a few suspension bridges and seeing a lot of plants and birds. One of the stops is a glassed-in observation room where we can see many different varieties of birds outside come to feed at feeders stocked with bananas. From yellow finches to buzzards, it was neat to be so close.
They have a small maze and most people took part in that, including Natalia and a Polish couple with 2 blond-haired children that garnered a lot of attention.
Natalia had my small camera and took some pretty good shots, especially of a glass-winged butterfly that I did not see, so we have a lot of photos today.
Oh, and we did not have time to go fishing... drat!
I hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al
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| The drive is picturesque with mountains cloaked in mist and cloud |
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| Lush green valleys are great pasture for the animals |
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| The Brahma cattle have shiny coats from such great vegetation |
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| I was shocked to see this right next to me. I do not wish to live in fear. |
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| Armenia is a bustling city |
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| One of the major churches and the obligatory town square |
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| More lushness as we head to Quindio |
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| The buzzards are still waiting for me to drop |
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| These two came in for a closer look |
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| This is probably a lot of newer construction since the earthquake |
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| Miguel and Natalia have been super |
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| Very unusual plants |
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| Starting the trek on the tour |
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| One of the suspension bridges, pretty solid construction |
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| A huge relief map of the area |
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| The short maze |
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| Yup, it is very short says Natalia |
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| Some birds that we might expect to see |
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| Hummers here, but I saw a bright blue one... |
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| I had glass between me and him... |
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| Colourful specimen |
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| Close-up of my tormentor |
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| Different species sharing somewhat peaceably |
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| He is getting impatient with me.... |
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| Cute little guy |
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| Gorgeous colours |
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| More unusual plants |
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| One of the Polish kids |
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| Natalia with really unusual plants |
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| Gorgeous and colourful |
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| They had several ponds of water lilies and lily pads |
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| Pretty or what? |
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| This plant is from a sci-fi movie |
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| Maybe this is what they look like after losing their sight?? |
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| Breathtaking yellow lily |
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| Dragonfly on an arrowhead plant |
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| I cheated. Photo of a photo... I wanted to see snow-capped mountains |
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| Butterflies of the world (missing quite a few) |
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| Orange & black |
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| Another amazing flower |
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| The back side of these wings are luminescent |
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| Tough to get a shot of the backside because they usually hold them together |
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| Spotted one |
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| This is the underside of those big butterflies |
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| Black and green |
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| Close-up at a feeding station |
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| Gorgeous yellow specimen |
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| Striking hibiscus |
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| Different varieties abound here |
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| Bright orange dude |
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| Great marking on this guy |
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| These guys must get picked on a lot... |
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| Turtle in a pond |
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| Unusual orchids look like birds |
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| Lovely area in which to live |
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| Still looking at carriers for the scooter |
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| Spectacular mountain view #1 from the city |
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| Spectacular mountain view #2 from the city |
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| Spectacular mountain view #3 from the city |
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| This made me thing of Cat Ballou |
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| A typical view in Armenia |
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| $5 steak (tough) lunch |
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| Mountain view on the way home. |
The following photos were all taken by Natalia with my small Samsung camera. Good job Natalia!
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| She always has to get a photo of me... |
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| The buzzard was waiting for me |
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| Something distracted them.... |
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| We saw lots of birds in just a few minutes |
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| Bright little guy |
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| He must be popular with the ladies |
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| A spotted orange fly ????? |
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| Natalia with a creepy-crawly thing - yuk |
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| She found a chrysalis |
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| We wonder what kind of butterfly will erupt from this? |
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| The Polish lasses |
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| Glass-wing butterflies look so delicate |
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| Phenomenal shot by Natalia |
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| And another... I wish that I had seen him too. |
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| A huge model of a grasshopper |
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| Very unusual plant life. |
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| Huge antennae on this one |
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| Natalia and the big guy |
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| A chance view of both the underside and backside of this amazing one |
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| A battle-weary specimen |
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| Nice detail in this shot |
