Best of the Best

It is my custom to publish a "Best of the Best" at the end of my travel blog.   Here are my choices for our 2016 Colombian adventure.  I can only urge you to visit Colombia - it is the not the country you think.  It is full of natural beauty and friendly and sophisticated people.  The economy is strengthening and the education system quite good.  Tourists do not abound so the place is not spoiled but still offers comforts and amenities.  It is close to the U.S., the electric system is the same, you can drink the tap water in most places and the weather where we visited was exceptionally good year round.

I am grateful for the sponsorship of the Fulbright Program and of EAFIT, my university in Medellin and Pereira.  I thank Zeki and Nedret Billor for taking the plunge and joining us for the last week of this trip - it was so wonderful to experience things together.  And, most of all, we thank our Colombian friends - you have taken us to your homes and hearts and you are friends for always - Mauricio, Angela, Juan Miguel and Paula Eslava, Mario, Ana Maria and Antonia Velez, Sergio, Olga and Sofia Ramirez, Juan Gregorio, and Carlos and Sandra.

My favorite Botero - the fat cat - in Medellin

Guatape - so much to enjoy

Doing a little of the Pablo Escobar trail

My cats in Colombia - here is beautiful Anis

Our Bogota family - the Eslavas (including Coco)

Staying the historic Eslava family compound in Firavitoba

Eating in the 200+ year old comedor - amazing fruits, breads, arepas and corn stuff

Mongui - high on my list in Boyaca to return (though Randy preferred Lake Tota)

Lunch at "In Situ" at the botanical gardens of Medellin

My students in Medellin

My students in Pereira

Visiting Salento in the coffee region

Hacienda Bambusa by night or day

The bird life especially at Hacienda Venecia

Drinking in the evenings with our travel companions

Road trips!  Boyaca!! 

Road trips!  Coffee country!!

Another awesome adventure - glad to be home but looking forward to the next one already!