As I enjoyed lunch, a cascading water wall flowed effortlessly down a nearby glass façade. Its gentle movement created a serene, Zen-like sound.
This was at the Four Seasons Bogota, and the year was 2016. We were having lunch with the ministers of sustainability, discussing the amazing initiatives the administration was undertaking. Chief among the projects, was the buy-in from indigenous communities in the further reaches of the country, areas, that to this point, were off limits. Then it happened. The ministers looked at their phone and abruptly stood up. “We have to go,” one said.
Before I could ask, the other volunteered that they are making their final offer for the now famous FARC peace treaty, later that afternoon. I knew this was in the works for some time, however there was low hope of this to succeed, and it was their last offer. After I had lunch, joined by some amazing advisor partners, we headed back to our rooms, taking the afternoon to acclimate to Bogota’s altitude.
I flipped through the channels that evening, wondering what mind-numbing program I was going to watch. My inability to sit still was at an all-time high, I couldn’t just stop on one channel. I had to go through all of them, multiple times, stopping on each just long enough to find it boring before moving on. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for. It’s a habit that drives my family crazy. Then it happened. BBC Breaking News, along with their theme music, which I find very cool by the way. The peace treaty was signed!
There were the two ministers I had just had lunch with a few hours earlier, announcing the news. The next morning, we cancelled all the planned tours and walked through the streets of La Candelaria, asking all the street vendors and graffiti artist their thoughts, knowing the topic would be very polarizing. It was a stop, backwards for some, forward for some, but it was a step, in a moment where doing nothing wasn’t an option. I knew at that point, that Colombia, my second home, would never be the same. New areas were going to open up, areas that were inaccessible before. I knew the 2017 educational was going to be one of the most emotional, because we were going to head to the other side of the Magdalena River. And boy was it, more so I think for the Colombians with us, proud that their nation was finally on the progress path.
Fast forward, to today, I beam with pride again as the AmaWaterways’ vessels finally are sailing on the Magdelena, showcasing the river and coastal areas we passed through nearly 10 years before. We knew we had to find ways to support them. Beyond our ground team offering advice to theirs on logistics around the river, we knew we wanted to help AMA be successful, because they were not going to alone. They were going to be the first, just like we were when we opened in Colombia in 2006.
Our team put together this amazing program that fits in perfectly before or after a cruise on the Magdalena, no matter whether you start or end in Cartagena or Barranquilla.
Big Five Tours – Colombia Through Local Eyes
So once that cruise is confirmed, take a look at this program and as they say… plug and play .
A Sense of Accomplishment in Medellin and Cartagena
Dear Advisor Partners,
As we wrap up our dispatch from Colombia, I present part III, the final report from a magical 41st visit to Colombia. Leaving La Macarena, with my shoulder back intact, the reflection of what we just accomplished started to sink in. This wasn’t just a 12-year vision coming to fruition, this was an accomplishment that allowed me to finally relax, the anxiety leaving and routine returning. As we landed in Medellin before sunset, I was relieved to return to one of my favorite cities in Colombia, the city that invented the phrase transformation through tourism.
The familiar faces of Julio and Juan Carlos greeted us as we arrived, their beards with a few more strands of grey, yet their smiles brighter than ever. This visit to Medellin was more important than any other because of our visit to higher parts of Comuna 13 with friend and guide, Jason. The activity with Jason focused on the African heritage in Comuna 13, beyond the crowded and touristy parts of the neighborhood. This was actually forged a few years back during the Tourism Cares Summit in Medellin, where I met Jason’s bro, Freddy. We formed a great connection showcasing Comuna 13, as, after all, it wasn’t that far back that this area was a conflict zone. The highlight of this area however isn’t the story of violence, rather the story of coping through music. Jason and his family used drum beats and different styles of hip-hop music, merged with Reggaeton, to create a unique sound that has a sonic influence even on those that are not musically inclined. Jason has come a long way, born with tanks and violence in his community to now collaborating with leading hip-hop artists and other top musical acts. I joked with Jason to remember me when he walks the red carpet one day!
From Medellin, it was on to Cartagena to close out our adventure. You know, I believe everything happens for a reason, so when the rain washed out our boating day, something magical ensued, lunch prepared by our private chef in the home of the Botero family, which we often use for our travelers. The highlight was the best sunset ever, with a 360° view from the rooftop of the home. After the stress of pulling off the perfect visit to Macarena, Cartagena is where everything always falls into place, from our guide Vicky’s unforgettable energy to the culinary delights of the city. The highlight, thanks to my friend Carolina from OhLaLa, was meeting noted author Gabo’s nephew during a private lunch with access to the last 8 copies of his family memoir in the world, gifted exclusively to our group. Top that off with chocolate from the famous Abraham that denoted our entire journey from where the cacao was sourced to the wrapping.
Visit 41 is in the books, and I haven’t even shared our new plans of working with the late Anthony Bourdain’s guide in Cartagena. It involves ceviche and hammocks suspended from the top of trees.. stay tuned for that!
