VOY

I am going, I go...(home)

Breakfast is at a leisurely 8am with morning showeres wetting down everything outside as we eat fresh fruit and fresh, unsweetened whip cream. Jim and Dawn, Brian and John were all there to join me and it was a really nice meal together. The air is unusually cool and clean. It is a nice day. Sadly, I must pack and go. I pass on my lamp from my first room (downstairs) to Jim and Dawn. It came upstairs with me when I switched to the loft above. 

Now it goes next door and will glow at night without me. I should have asked them if they would sell it to me. I really like it!

After all my goodbyes to those still at the hotel, including staff (Maria, Mauricio, Julian, Gloria and a few others) Brian was there to help me schlep my 4 bags, (tandem, solo, carry-on and day pack) to the parking area downstairs just before my very prompt cab arrived.

The taxi took me straight to Roldanillo, where I caught the bus to Cali that was leaving in 15 minutes, and settled in for a two hour cruise. Nice. 

Once in Cali, I splurged at the bus station and took a cab to the airport instead of fumbling with all my stuff to find the transfer bus. Good call. 

The views towards Cali were amazing, and it filled my mind with memories of daily flying that blurred into one big happy dream that is hard to wake up from. 

As much as I adore the food here, it seemed time to embrace my future and eat fresh, American style. I chose the "Italianismio" and went big.  I polished it off in one sitting and took down my white chocolate and macadamia cookie with a guarded posture, as it was easily the sweetest morsel I have tasted since I got here. Wow!

I got an email from Rob.  Seems that the hotel can't find the lamp and must have called him about it.  I had to laugh because I am clearly not the only one madly in love with this thing.  I sent a message back explaining the lamp hand-off.  A short while later Rob confirmed that they had indeed found the lamp. Lol. 

I assured them that the lamp was never in danger and that "I am not a criminal!"

There might be time for ice cream!??

Now I sit waiting to board my short flight to Bogota, where I reclaim my bags, check in at the United counter, and wait until 1:30am. Then to Houston, by 5am, then to LAX by 9:30am, on my shuttle home by 10am, and might get home by noon on Friday in time to walk my girls home from school!

Cheers from Cali International airport, with free wifi that is quite fast too.  Sayyy!

Cheers,

Marty

NIM(BUS)

The morning was quiet, and even though my private nocturnal battle with mosquitoes was going fairly well, it was time to get up, and see the day.

A few drops, became a light sprinkle on the pool with ever more circles appearing, overlapping and widening. 

Eventually, a proper rain ensued, as we sipped fresh coffee thanks to Brian and Farmer, and sampled fresh cut papaya and pineapple and banana 'ala Dawn' while contemplating our options.

Two lovely horses grazed and wandered around the beautiful grounds, oblivious to the downpour. 

Ultimately, Eduardo showed up to give us all a lift to the launch where our glider bags were securely locked up by Gustavo, the owner of the takeoff and beautiful structure there. 

Matt opted to camp at launch for this night and we chose to pay Eduardo for a direct ride home. 45 minutes later, we were all chillin' back at our home digs. 

Not long after unpacking, the sky let loose a deluge that prompted us to order lunch "in house" rather than brave the wet to eat in town. Good call. It rained off and on all day and was wet the next morning as I packed to go. Fitting, restful end to some truly dreamy flying with some great friends, new and old. 

My last day as a scruffy American. 

I am so grateful to be here. Thanks Carmen!

Cheers,

Marty