Coffee Region of Colombia

We have spent the last 3 days in Armenia after an hours flight from Bogota. It has been a busy 3 days filled in for us by our hosts. Day 1 we went to the Valley of Cocora and rode horses for over 2 hours - and this horse trek was no mean feat! Through streams, knee deep muddy tracks, rocky inclines and deeply rutted tracks. If I'd known in advance!!!! Still I didn't fall off. The purpose of the trek was to reach a waterfall at the end of the valley through the jungle.Famously tall palm trees, condors flying above - such a treat to be out in the countryside after the days we have had within cities. Our host, Ramon is an amputee and he too rode a horse (but did fall off 4 times!). He has hand controls in his 'manual' vehicle and drives like a Colombian racing car driver (and he can talk on the cellphone which is not hands free at the same time!!) Ramon is an anethetist for Cardiology in the neigbouring hospitals. He took the day off for horse riding with us along with his friend (who drove us there in his old Landrover - an hour off road). Day 2 we were up at 4.30 a.m. and travelled with these two over to Manzelies (2 hours) for a days outing over there. Ramon worked while Julius took us sightseeing. We finished up at a Coffee Plantation for a tour. Home after 7 p.m. made it a very long but interesting day. Today (Day 3), we have shifted abodes and are now with Ramon's sister (much less of a rally car driver) and she took us to a picturesque local village where I used up plenty of film photographing scenes.
We are in the heart of the coffee region which is grown between 1600 and 1800m above sea level at this latitude. We are now much warmer than we were in  Bogota. Colombia is the world second producer of coffee but the coffee that they give us to drink has only had a slight chance to be in the hot water before it is poured so it seems very weak. Along with coffee, we have seen beautiful orchids (along with some fantastic other flowers), many species of butterflies and the hummingbird - some of these pictures will come up on the next blog of photos - and Ann I hope you note the special flower photos I took for you!.)
The topography is steep mountains with deep valleys, the result of past volcanic activity. The roadways follow the ridge tops and the toll roads stretch over the ravines by concrete bridge expanses. It is very picturesque as you travel along (holding onto your seat with Ramon).
Our hosts are so welcoming and 'honoured' to have us to stay, it is very humbling. This has really been a bit of a highlight as staying with a family in their country gives you a better insight to how the locals live. Tomorrow night we return to Bogota then fly to Quito, Ecuador on Sunday afternoon. All going to plan, we meet up with Robin and Claire arriving from New Zealand on Sunday evening.