Camper Travel 1974-1975

On a 13-month journey from North America through Central & South America, back to our starting point in NYC. Our means of transportation was a model 1972 VW Westfalia camper with a 1700cc engine and pop-up top. Total miles 37,492. Read more

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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 321 - Cayambe Fishing
March 17, 1975 in Ecuador
March 16th – A Fishing Expedition and an Unexpected Adventure

At daybreak, a group of Indio peasants passed by our camp. One of them attempted to steal our cooking stove, but luckily, Heinz caught sight of him just in time and jumped out of bed to scare him off. With the thief gone, Heinz chased after the group to ask if they knew the way to the Laguna. An elderly man pointed to a mountain pass and mentioned that we could see the lake from up there, though it was about 2-3 hours on foot. It sounded promising, but we remained a little skeptical.

After a quick breakfast, Gregor and Heinz grabbed their fishing gear and sandwiches, excited for the adventure ahead. Ellen and I waved them off, wishing them good luck. Soon after, midday arrived, bringing a few rays of sunlight through the clouds. But the cold kept us indoors, so we spent the afternoon reading in our camper. As darkness crept in, Gregor and Heinz were still nowhere to be seen. We tried to stay calm and played cards, hoping they’d return soon.

At 9:30 PM, they finally appeared—pale, exhausted, and barely able to speak. Both men just wanted to rest, and Ellen immediately handed them glucose tablets and water. Moments later, Heinz vomited, his body trembling from exhaustion.

On a positive note, they had 12 trout with them, a testament to their efforts. Ellen fried some up while I prepared a fresh salad. Gregor joined us at the table, eating ravenously. After a while, Heinz forced himself to take a few bites, his body still recovering. Then, they began recounting their adventure.

The fishing at the Laguna had been amazing, though the terrain around the shoreline was challenging—thick brush made it difficult to get to the water. As the sunset neared, they began their journey back.

The ascent to the 8,530ft mountain pass was brutal. Darkness fell, but luckily, the full moon illuminated the trail. However, their dehydration took its toll. They both collapsed, their legs feeling like rubber. After resting for a while, they crawled to a natural spring, drank copious amounts of water, and slowly regained the strength to continue their climb. Eventually, they made it over the pass and down to our camp.

Ellen and I were incredibly relieved to have our fishing heroes back safe. What an adventure!Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 322 - Quito
March 18, 1975 in Ecuador
(Ursula) We were all set to move on, but—no surprise—the boys spotted yet another promising fishing river. Of course! What else was new?

While they were off trying their luck, Ellen and I kept ourselves busy cleaning our “homes” and doing laundry. By the afternoon, we returned to Quito, this time loaded with nine more trout and a dozen wild Boletus mushrooms—quite the successful haul!

On the way back, we stopped in Cayambe for a cold beer and a discussion about our next steps. Gregor & Ellen wanted to stay another week in Ecuador before heading to Colombia, while Heinz and I were eager to continue toward Venezuela. However, we all agreed that traveling together through Colombia would be safer, so we decided to stick around a little longer.

Back at the German Humboldt School in the evening, we fired up the grill, feasted on fresh fish, and eventually crawled into our cozy sleeping bags well past bedtime. Another adventure-filled day in the books!

Stats: Miles 65, Expenses $2.25Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 324 - Quito
March 20, 1975 in Ecuador
March 19th
(Ursula) Not much happened today. The morning started with a quick trip to the store for bread and butter for breakfast. Around noon, we dropped off two pairs of shoes at the shoemaker before heading to La Favorita for grocery shopping.

Just as we got back, the rain started again—a familiar pattern by now. Ursula cooked a simple yet delicious dinner: rice with Boletus mushrooms and German sausage.

Stats: Miles driven: 0, Expenses: $11.70

March 20th
(Heinz) We spent the morning in the city, searching in vain for a place to develop our black & white films. On the bright side, we stumbled upon a small fruit & vegetable market that we hadn’t seen before and stocked up on fresh produce.

Back at the camper, I had to tackle an engine issue. Something was off with the twin carburetors, so Gregor, being a ship engineer, offered to take a look. His best guess? The electromagnet for the idle mixture was failing.

We drove to the main Volkswagen dealership and bought a replacement part, but unfortunately, it didn’t solve the issue. So, Gregor made a few manual adjustments, which at least seemed to improve things for now. Fingers crossed it holds up!

Stats: Miles driven 18, Expenses $31.30Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 325 - Quito
March 21, 1975 in Ecuador
March 21st
Today was filled with small but necessary chores. First, I returned the electromagnet and got a full refund—a small victory! Then, we stopped by a sporting goods store on Avenida Colon, where I picked up more fishing lures. Next on the list was a hardware store to buy a new hinge and lock for a broken suitcase.

On the drive home, I couldn’t help but notice that the carburetor issue still wasn’t fixed. It frustrated me that I didn’t know enough about carburetors to solve it myself. Wally would have figured it out in a second—I really missed him and especially in moments like this. But for now, I trust Gregor to find a solution.

Back at the camper, Ursula whipped up a light lunch with yogurt and avocado. Just as we finished eating, a heavy downpour with hail forced us to stay inside for a while. Once it cleared up, I changed the broken windshield wipers—a much-needed fix.

Later, we went to pick up our repaired shoes from the shoemaker. The craftsmanship was excellent, and the price was shockingly low—almost unbelievable!

We also did some budgeting today and realized we only have $1,965 left for the rest of our trip. Hopefully, Gregor & Ellen will be ready soon so we can continue to Colombia together.

Stats: Miles 6, Expenses $10.10Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 327 - Cayambe
March 23, 1975 in Ecuador
(Ursula) Heinz wanted to leave the city and catch more trout. We told Gregor & Ellen we would wait for them in Cayambe by the river. But first, we stopped at a market where I purchased a bunch of Amazonas Wool for knitting, so I had something to do. That was a brilliant idea I didn’t regret!

It was almost dark by the river when Heinz came home with five trout. He was all wet from having to dive into the water when his lure got stuck, and his tailbone hurt from falling off a slippery rock.

I cut the largest trout in half because it didn’t fit the frying pan. It had pink-colored flesh and tasted better than any before. It was probably a Salmon Trout. Stats: Miles 61, Expenses $5.80

March 23rd
(Ursula) Heinz already went fishing before his eyes were fully open. Meanwhile, I prepared toast, eggs, cheese, and fruit for breakfast. But Heinz didn’t join me, and I served it to him for lunch when he showed up with seven more tails!

(Heinz) After resting, I went fishing again just before dusk and pulled out a handsome rainbow trout. This little river was just great!

When Gregor & Ellen didn’t show up that evening, we ate half of the fish and preserved the others in salt, a trick my Mom had taught me.

My tailbone still hurts from yesterday!Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 328 - Ipiales
March 25, 1975 in Colombia
March 24th
I only fished for a few minutes; then it started to rain. After the rain, the water was brown, and it made no sense even to try my luck.

Ursula cooked corn on the cob that a nearby farmer dropped off. It was so delicious!

The sweater that she started knitting two days ago was taking shape. All the crossword puzzles were solved. Letters were written too. It's raining again. We are feeling a little bored.

March 25th
Gregor & Ellen’s camper was parked next to ours when we woke up this morning. They must have arrived late last night while we were asleep. We are glad and ready to continue our journey North with our travel partners.

After breakfast, we headed in tandem toward the Colombian border. On the way there, we stopped at the post office in Ibarra to drop off the mail. Then Gregor needed to do a quick oil change.

Everything went smoothly exiting Ecuador. We were short on cash, exchanged traveler's checks for Colombian Pesos, and camped near the border in the hotel parking lot.

The cooking team is preparing a fish stew for dinner. I can't wait!

Stats: Miles 137, Expenses $0.00Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 330 - Laguna de la Cocha
March 26, 1975 in Colombia
At the Colombian border, we received an entry stamp on our passports, and at customs in Ipiales, the entry in our carnet (Carnet de Passages en Douane). This international document allows us to pass through countries without dealing with import/duty/export for our vehicle. We deposited $2,000 at an agency in Washington, DC, as a guarantee. This deposit will be returned once the vehicle is returned to the US.

After refueling, our journey continued to Pasto, where we stopped at a bakery for pastry & coffee. Then we continued on Route #10 East. Nine miles into the forested hills, we spotted a black bear. Then we reached Chalet-Suiza, a vacation/fishing resort on the shores of Laguna de La Cocha. The owner spoke German and took us out on the lake in his motorboat. Gregor fished but didn't get any bites.

In the evening, we played a game of chess and smoked our pipes while our women prepared a nice dinner.

Stats: Miles 76, Expenses $5.00Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 331 - Santiago
March 27, 1975 in Colombia
Today we took a side trip to the rainforest region of Colombia.

We drove on Route #10 East through a densely forested high valley and spotted another black bear trotting alongside us on the road. What a surprise! We didn't know that there were bears in South America.

Then the road descended quickly to tropical Santiago, where we visited a nearby Indian village. A walkway led over an elevated path to huts with thatched roofs. It was damp with lots of annoying mosquitos.

The indigenous walked barefoot and wore minimal clothing. We only saw men. They were shy and didn’t like to be photographed. Their pitch-black hair was cut like someone had placed a cooking pot over their head and cut around it with scissors. It looked weird.

I bought a wood-carved mask from one of the craftsmen. At another location, we watched how indigenous Folk used fibers from the Agave plant to make ropes, baskets, and mats. They are skillful and live a simple life from what mother nature provides.

Later in the afternoon, we drove back to the Chalet-Suiza, where, to our surprise, we ran into Mr. Kägi from the Nestlé cheese factory, who had come to make a delivery. We invited him for dinner at the restaurant and had a great evening together.

Before going to bed, I played more chess with Gregor. He almost always wins, but that didn’t bother me; I enjoyed the game's strategy and challenge.

Stats: Miles 54, Expenses $5.05Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 333 - Popayan
March 29, 1975 in Colombia
We drove back to Pasto, then continued on Route # 25 through countless valleys and hills, up and down, toward Cali. Toward the end of the day, we reached a high plateau from where we could admire the beautiful mountains around us.

Then the road descended into a romantic valley where we found an Estancia (farm) to camp for the night. There was potato and carrot salad for dinner. The night was humid and muggy. Stats: Miles 119, Expenses $2.75

March 29th
Our journey to Cali continued. The terrain was similar to yesterday; endless up and down over hills and through valleys with lots of curves on a (partially) unpaved road.

Our engine quit running on a climb. Our friends didn't notice and disappeared from our view. After inspecting, I found that the gasoline filter was clogged. I let the engine cool down, then installed a new one. Some gasoline splashed into my eyes during the process. Not very pleasant - it burns like fire!

Meanwhile, Gregor & Ellen noticed our absence and returned to find us. Then Gregor saw that they had a flat tire. As he changed the wheel, he noticed oil dripping from the engine block. The leak was next to the oil drain plug. It looked like the identical problem we had in Peru. Oi caramba!

We carefully continued to the town of Popayan, where we ate dinner at the airport restaurant. We were hoping to be able to camp there. But the management wasn't impressed with the idea and suggested we find a different place to stay. There was a military complex further down the road where we asked again. An army major allowed us to park inside and gave us the keys to the showers and toilets. What a gentleman! We greatly appreciated it and felt safe behind the high walls and guarded gate.

Stats: Miles driven 77, Expenses $4.55Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 335 - Cali
March 31, 1975 in Colombia
March 30th
Today is Easter. Gregor and I got busy getting the cars ready. Our wives served an elaborate breakfast with eggs, toast, butter, and orange jam.

The Army Major checked on us and graciously offered us lunch in the military canteen. A thunderstorm in the afternoon forced us to stay put inside our campers. We used this time to update our diary and play cards.

March 31st
We all walked to the town of Popayan this morning, taking a stroll through the city. We purchased fruits and vegetables at the open market. Then it started to rain again, and we took a taxi back to the military complex.

Popayan was already behind us an hour later, and we reached Cali that evening. We found a place to stay at the Colegio Alemán (German College), where we felt safe behind the high wall surrounding it.

Cali is the third-largest city in Colombia. Aside from Medellin and Bogotá, it is believed to be the most dangerous in Colombia. We locked all valuables, items, and photographic equipment in a compartment under the backseat and tried to portray a low-key appearance everywhere we went.

Stats: Miles 85, Expenses $3.45Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 337 - 93 Miles from Bogota
April 2, 1975 in Colombia
April 1st
Our friends purchased four new Goodyear tires but must still address the oil leak before long.

We continued the journey via Palmira, Buga, and Tulua to an Estancia, where the farmer permitted us to stay for the night. At dusk, the mosquitoes were a real plague. Ellen and Ursula baked delicious pizzas for dinner. Stats: Miles 86, Expenses $1.80

April 2nd
The rancher came over this morning and handed us fresh milk. What a lovely gesture! Colombian people have been amazing so far. They are friendly and helpful, and we felt safe and welcome everywhere.

We stopped at a garage in Ibagué to have both of our spare tires repaired.

Today’s journey takes us through hilly terrain with infinite orange, banana, and coffee plantations. We purchased a bag of fresh fruits from a stand by the side of the road. We are allowed to stay at a dairy farm 93 miles from Bogotá tonight.

Ursula and I still can’t believe we are not on our journey to New Zealand, wondering if we will have enough money left in Venezuela to travel to Europe.

Stats: Miles 172, Expenses $1.00Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 338 - Bogotá
April 3, 1975 in Colombia
The farmer's wife knocked on our window early in the morning and greeted us with a smile and a jar of fresh milk. People were so hospitable, and there was seemingly nothing to fear. Crime is probably more rampant in large cities.

We reached the capital, Bogotá, before noon. The city is located in a valley at 8,530 feet above sea level.

We were welcomed at the Colegio Andino (German College) and allowed to camp at the far side of the courtyard. A high wall surrounded it, with a heavy iron gate and a security guard. It's nice to feel protected and safe. We spotted a bakery within walking distance down the road.

In the afternoon, we took a bus to the inner city. Suddenly, there was a heavy downpour, and the streets flooded within minutes. We took shelter at the Gold Museum and had to dry our socks and shoes before entering. The visit was well worth it. It featured an extensive collection of items from the Pre-Colombian time.

This evening's camper dinner was hot dogs with mustard and fresh bread from the bakery with a salad, followed by fresh pineapple for dessert. Simplicity tops!

Stats: Miles 82, Expenses $4.85Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 339 - Bogotá
April 4, 1975 in Colombia
Today we stopped by the Swiss Consulate to pick up our mail. Among them was a letter from my father. He proudly reported on the progress of the construction of his Chalet in the Simmental Valley.

And he also described the current economic situation in Switzerland and massive layoffs in the watch industry caused by Japan flooding the market with cheap electronic watches.

This was essential news for us and meant we had to devise yet another plan for our future. I didn’t have to be a genius to figure out that it would be the worst time for us to return to Switzerland and start a family.

Our short-term goal was to continue traveling with Gregor & Ellen to Cartagena and find a boat to the US.

We spend the rest of the day in Bogotá’s business district, visiting travel agencies to learn about cargo ships. The least costly route from Cartagena to a US port city was Miami.

We spent an evening in deep thought. Is God placing roadblocks into our plans to point us in a different direction?

Ursula continues knitting. Her sweater looks great and almost finished.

Stats: Miles 10, Expenses $2.80Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 340 - Lago de Tominé
April 5, 1975 in Colombia
We drove into the city to have our films developed. Unfortunately, the Kodak place was closed; we must try again later. But we stayed in the city and shopped for leather shoes.

We were very conscious of the danger in Bogotá and mindful to stay together as a group and not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. We didn't carry cameras or wear a watch or jewelry. Our passports were hidden in our underwear. Cash was mostly tucked in our socks and shoes or my "secret" money belt.

We took a trip to Lago Tominé in the afternoon and spent the night at the sailing clubhouse. Tomorrow, we plan to ride to Laguna El Dorado. Gregor read in his travel guide that when the Conquistadors persecuted the Incas, they were said to have sunk an immense treasure of gold and silver in the Laguna. Maybe we will discover it and return as super-rich explorers!

Stats: Miles 49, Expenses $6.00Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 341 - Laguna de Guatavita
April 6, 1975 in Colombia
We rented horses and followed a narrow trail up to the Laguna. What a feeling it is to sit on a horse and ride up a mountain. You almost feel guilty letting the animal do all the hard climbing while you sit comfortably on top.

It was Ellen’s first time on a horse. The poor thing was usually bringing up the rear, and we often had to stop and wait for her to catch up.

When we reached the rim of the crater, we let the horses graze and took time to enjoy the scenery while eating our sandwiches and fresh carrots, with oranges for dessert.

The Laguna measured roughly half a mile across. Its striking blue-green color suggested considerable depth. Without diving equipment, retrieving any treasure would have been impossible, so we left it wherever it may be and let the mystery continue.

We then followed the edge of the crater and took a similar trail back down. It was a wonderful excursion, and not a single drop of rain fell.

Just as we were nearing the stables, Ellen fell off her horse and injured her right foot. We suspect she may have sprained her ankle, as she could barely stand without intense pain. We hope it will heal without the need for a hospital visit.

Later, sitting over coffee by Lago Guatavita, our aching bones reminded us that we had spent six hours in the saddle. That evening, back in Bogotá, heavy rain set in again, and we all turned in early.

Gregor and Ellen’s VW was leaking oil and no longer running well. It clearly needed a complete overhaul.

Having already helped Wally with ours, I suggested to Gregor that we make it a do-it-yourself project, and I offered my help. He agreed and planned to look for a suitable place early the next day.

Stats: Miles 48, Expenses $0.00Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 342 - Bogotá
April 7, 1975 in Colombia
(Ursula) Gregor found a Volkswagen dealer that allowed us to work on his camper in a pebble-stone yard next to the workshop. It reminded me of our overhaul in Juchitán last year.

The two men lost no time and went to work right away! The mechanics in the shop were helpful and let us borrow a hydraulic jack, torque wrench, and other specialized VW tools. The dealership even allowed Heinz and Gregor to continue working in the evening after everyone had left.Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 343 - Bogotá
April 8, 1975 in Colombia
(Ursula) Ellen was sitting in our camper with me.

We read, knitted, and chatted. Her foot was a little swollen but not as painful as the day before.

Our men had dismantled the engine by the end of the day and will start cleaning and replacing parts tomorrow.

Their hands and arms were black like those of a chimney sweep!Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 349 - Bogotá
April 14, 1975 in Colombia
April 9th -14th
We spent the entire week working on Gregor's engine overhaul. The piston rings were badly worn, and slag had accumulated on the valves and around the valve seats. Carefully scraping and cleaning these areas by hand took considerable time and effort. Eventually, the engine was fully reassembled and reinstalled.

This morning we started it up. After a bit of initial stuttering, it ran well, noticeably quieter, and looked great. The clutch was replaced at the same time, along with new front brake pads.

Meanwhile, Ursula and Ellen became true knitting experts. They also took excellent care of us, serving delicious meals every day. The mechanics were always hungry. Thankfully, the weather was on our side, with not a single drop of rain all week.

On Monday, we picked up the developed films and slides from Kodak. Overall, they turned out well, with only a slight shadow on the right side of some of the diapositives.

On Tuesday, I faxed AAA in Washington, D.C., to request an extension of our Carnet de Passages en Douane. We hope it will be approved soon.

We are now back at the Colegio Andino.

The school principal asked if I would like to give a slide presentation in the auditorium about our travels. I was very excited by the idea and immediately began preparing, hoping that many people would come to watch.

Stats: Miles 12, Expenses $21.35Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 352 - Bogotá
April 17, 1975 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
April 15th - 17th

Nothing of great importance to report.

The school screened a film by Faust before my slide presentation, and only a small handful of people, along with the teaching staff, stayed to watch. Even so, they were genuinely impressed by our journey and asked many thoughtful questions afterward.

Bogotá was considered a dangerous city, and for security reasons, we did not dare to exchange money on the black market. Fortunately, the Banco de la República offered a fair and decent exchange rate.

The old town of Bogotá, built in the classic Spanish colonial style, was beautifully maintained, with charming inner courtyards that gave it a very tidy, welcoming feel.

Emissions control does not seem to exist here. The air pollution from the city buses was alarming and almost made us feel sick, a real flashback to Mexico City.

Ursula bought a pair of leather boots and a leather handbag. She also looked at leather coats and jackets, but their workmanship was not very appealing, with oddly designed pockets. We also picked up a new floor mat for the camper and a jar of delicious honey.

Best of all, our Carnet de Passages en Douane was extended for another three months. Success.

Stats: Miles driven 0, Expenses $37.35Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 353 - Bogotá
April 18, 1975 in Colombia
(Ursula) This evening, our travel companions invited us to dinner as a thank-you for helping them with the VW engine overhaul.

On the way to the restaurant, we were stopped by the police. Heinz and Gregor were ordered out of the car and searched from head to toe. Then the officers asked for our papers, which we did not have with us. The chief officer put on a macho performance and demanded that Ellen and I drive back to the Colegio to fetch the passports, while Heinz and Gregor were made to sit on the ground under guard, watched over by submachine guns.

Once everyone had satisfied their curiosity about what Swiss and German passports look like, we were allowed to continue. Barely a mile later, we were stopped again and searched once more. Interestingly, they showed no interest at all in local cars or even fully loaded trucks driving by.

This time, only Gregor was examined, with weapons at the ready. What on earth was going on?

Later, as we sat in the restaurant, the waitress explained that it was probably nothing more than a training exercise by the nearby police academy.

Whatever the reason, we refused to let the incident spoil the evening. The celebration continued, and our appetite for a great pizza remained entirely intact.

Stats: Miles driven 0, Expenses $9.75Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 355 - Zipaquirá
April 20, 1975 in Colombia
(Ursula) One day, we set out to visit the town of Zipaquirá, known for a cathedral said to be truly worth seeing.

What made it remarkable was that it was not a traditional cathedral at all, but a former underground salt mine carved into a vast chamber. The space was so immense it felt like a cathedral, and its quiet simplicity made it especially moving. At the front stood a massive stone altar adorned with flowers, and behind it, set into the salt rock, a large wooden cross softly illuminated in its niche.

Zipaquirá itself charmed us with its beautiful colonial-style buildings and, naturally, an abundance of artisanal shops. On the way back, we stopped in the town of Sopó and indulged in a strawberry cake with whipped cream at the Alpina bakery. Absolutely delicious. We also picked up a few jars of honey and some Swiss cheese to take along.

Stats: Miles 85, Expenses $38.80Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 358 - Honda
April 23, 1975 in Colombia
(Ursula) Our plans for today went haywire.

I didn't want to give up on that leather jacket! And back we went to the leather goods district. But again, I couldn't find anything that fit me. How disappointing! On the other hand, the men were interested in buying bronze Conquistador stirrups.

Gregor acquired a simple one that I also liked. The dealer was unpacking a new supply, and Heinz picked out an exceptional one that was unpolished for 50% off.

Heinz was happy when we finally left Bogotá. For me, it was different. The better you know a city, the more difficult it is to say goodbye. All the leather goods drove me a little crazy, though!

We stayed at a Hacienda this evening just before crossing the river near Honda. We are again at a lower elevation and can feel the subtropical warmth and humidity. Fortunately, there were no mosquitoes!

Stats: Miles 121, Expenses $25.50Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
DAY 359 - Pereira
April 24, 1975 in Colombia
(Ursula) Well, the night wasn't too bad after all. We were used to worse. Flashback Guayaquil!

Today’s trip took us through “Coffeelandia," but we also spotted plantations of bananas, papayas, mangoes, pineapples, and sugar cane that are growing in this hilly region.

We climbed over a high mountain pass and looked forward to seeing the Nevado del Ruiz at 17,388 feet, but it was rainy, and the fog blocked the view.

On the way to Manizales, the men wanted to make a detour and fish for trout, but they changed their minds. Instead, they took an afternoon nap while Ellen and I baked a birthday cake for Gregor.

In Manizales, we turned onto Route #29 towards Pereira and spent the night at an experimental coffee-growing plant. We are now in the heart of Colombia's most productive coffee-growing region.

Stats: Miles 118, Expenses $2.10Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 360 - Santa Bárbara
April 25, 1975 in Colombia
Soon we reached the city of Pereira, where we visited the Zoo. The Tiger family with the three playful young puppies was the absolute hit.

Then our journey continued up and down through this unique coffee-growing region with endless curves, passing the towns of La Virginia and Anserma. In Santa Bárbara, we were permitted to camp in the parking area of a SENA vocational school.

We had purchased bananas and pineapples on the way. On today’s route, we were constantly descending, and our engine cut out twice because the fuel tank pressure was overwhelming the fuel pump.

Strangely, we had never experienced that before. The pressure relief valve may be blocked or defective. Maybe we will have to drive with the tank lid off tomorrow.

Stats: Miles 171, Expenses $0.50Read more
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Camper Travel 1974-1975 Traveler
Day 362 - Medellin
April 26, 1975 in Colombia
(Ursula) We made the short drive to Medellín, Colombia's second-largest city, in less than an hour and searched for the Colegio Alemán.

Directions were not very clear, but we ultimately found it after a few wrong turns, on a hill overlooking the city.

Gregor didn't feel well and needed to rest. But Heinz performed an oil change, and we women took the opportunity to use the available washing machine and prepare dinner. The calm and fresh air up here felt excellent.

Before going to sleep, we enjoyed the beautiful view of the city lights below.

Stats: Miles 27, Expenses $0.0Read more
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