Let's mix it up and fill in some experience gaps: RTW 2015

[love_the_life]

Great pics. Thanks. Mr LtL loves statues (I tend to look at them and say "nice" but not photograph them, perhaps I am a philistine :mrgreen: )

 

[JohnM]

Ate at highly-rated Carmen tonight. Only place I could get was at the bar.

It was very good. One of the owners/chefs is apparently American, so it had that slightly overdone LOTFAP style.

Here's the go:





My entree (Australian meaning) choice:


My main choice:


The wine: another Catena Zapata Malbec - 2009 Angelica Zapata. Angelica is top of the wozzer. It's good, but it needs about another 10 years. A more traditional style.

 

[JohnM]

First, the sensational amuse bouche. The chicken croquette was the pick.



Then the excellent entree. I have a fondness for steak tartare. This was unusual in being dry-aged beef and being finely cubed rather than finely chopped.



The pic doesn't do the main justice, although it was the least exciting course. A bit too rich for me - but, that said, the more robust wine was an excellent foil.



The dots were a trifle twee.

I was overlooking the coughtail bar. Man, those mixers were working like one-armed bricklayers in Baghdad! In keeping with the LOTFAP influence, coughtails were the rage. Liquid nitrogen, all sorts of fruits, eye-dropper infusions; you name it, they made it.

As much as it is not my style, I departed full of admiration for the people behind the bar. They worked their coughs off.

 

[get me outta here]

I'd love to go there just for the statues. In that regard, it reminds me of Paris. Thanks for the report.

 

[JohnM]

Saturday around midday and strolling around gorgeous Poblado taking in the mellow vibe of the Saturday street markets on a beautiful day.

Love this place. Laid-back, cool, vibrant and sophisticated.

A few general street scene pics to follow in this and the next post, including the lovely square where I took some night shots a few posts upthread.

 

[JohnM]

 

[JohnM]

Spending the night with Juddles, Mrs Juddles and the two Juddlettes at their place in the hills above Medellin. Just gorgeous here.

Nice market we stopped at on the way to get some provisions.



A view from Juddles' backyard.



I finally got to meet the divine, enigmatic, albeit very quiet, Rebecca - doyen of frequent flyers - for those who have read a certain other thread! Hopefully Red Roo may spot this.



After formalities were over, it was time for Juddles and me to rat his cellar...

 

[juddles]

getmeouttahere, I am not an art person, but still love the stuff. Botero is special. I love his unique style and more so, how he explains it. Everyone asks why he does his statues in a manner that is "fat". He explains that his sculptures do not depict "fat" people. He says that they just occupy VOLUME. That they occupy space. I love that succinct but very important distinction.

 

[juddles]

After formalities were over, it was time for Juddles and me to rat his cellar...

View attachment 56289

View attachment 56290

John, great to enjoy wine with someone who appreciates it. Please forgive the linseed oil stains from my cellar.

 

[JohnM]

Juddles and family took me for a drive around their area today to sample some typical Colombian Sunday street scenes, activities and food.

First a refreshing drink made from crushing together sugar cane and limes and called guarapo.





Then some freshly-cooked empanadas for a mid-morning snack.



A view across the square.

 

[JohnM]

We shared a selection of plates at a very busy traditional Colombian restaurant. My drink was lime and coconut whipped up like a milkshake. Yummy.



A shop selling a wide variety of desserts. You pay for a portion, walk around and get some free tastes and then choose which one you'd like.





Once again, a big thank you to all the Juddles' for a very pleasant weekend!

Heading S to the Zona Cafetera (coffee region) in the morning until
Thursday afternoon.

 

[RooFlyer]

getmeouttahere, I am not an art person, but still love the stuff. Botero is special. I love his unique style and more so, how he explains it. Everyone asks why he does his statues in a manner that is "fat". He explains that his sculptures do not depict "fat" people. He says that they just occupy VOLUME. That they occupy space. I love that succinct but very important distinction.

With my figure, so do I!

 

[juddles]

....
Once again, a big thank you to all the Juddles' for a very pleasant weekend!....

For the record and info of others - you are a very good houseguest!

Enjoy the coffee zone, Cartagena, and the rest of your trip.

And one day I might (the horror!!) find a reason to visit Perth - perplexing as that concept is to most civilized people

 

[JohnM]

Hey Juddles, guess what? My flight to Armenia is delayed !

 

[TheRealTMA]

Hey Juddles, guess what? My flight to Armenia is delayed !

Don't you talk to your hosts over dinner and wine? Only via AFF?

 

[ALH]

Great TR. Now I have another place I want to visit

 

[JohnM]

Don't you talk to your hosts over dinner and wine? Only via AFF?

We are going in different directions . Juddles had suggested the possibility of a delay - and it happened. Only an hour or so - meh, trivial when on Colombian time .

 

[JohnM]

Flight from Aeropuerto Olaya Herrera (EOH), the regional/GA airport right in the centre of Medellin to Eden (AXM) at Armenia in a 19 seat Jetstream. Scheduled for 0630 but delayed an hour or so for reasons unknown. No big deal; did not really bite into my day significantly.

Pic of aircraft after arrival.


Should have sat near the back (old habits die hard ) to get clearer views not so obscured by the engine.

 

[JohnM]

About an hour drive to Salento. It's a tourist town but very pleasant. Scenic steep hilly country.

Bright Jeeps are the transport to Cocora Valley which I plan for tomorrow. Horseback tours are also common.

 

[JohnM]

Checked out coffee production today in a small-scale demo-type situation on the edge of town.

Pics should be self-explanatory.