The closing chapter.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the
things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off
the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour…Explore.
Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain.

If you had told me 18-months ago that one day, in the not too distant future, I would be in Colombia…

1. Volunteering on a coffee farm
2. Driving various vehicles, during city rush hour
3. Receiving long overdue root canal treatment
4. Enjoying the warmth of the friendliest people imaginable
5. Celebrating my birthday
6. Socialising with people from all over the world, nearly every single night

…I would never have believed you.

18-months ago I was going through one of the most painful periods of my life so far. I never thought, at the time, that it would be possible to make it to the other side. But amazingly, thanks to family, friends, and my colleagues at GvAP, I did.

The past four months have been chalk and cheese in comparison.

The twists and turns, and ups and downs, of our lives on this planet can be truly incredible.

My time here in South America, and in particular Colombia, now draws to an end. What an experience it has been. I can quite honestly say that the past four months, and in particular, the last six weeks, have been some of the most rewarding of my life.

I have experienced a huge amount of warmth, friendship, and inspiration here at the coffee farm. It will be an emotional ‘adios’ when I depart Hacienda Venecia on Monday the 5th of May.

I now plan to spend the summer in the UK before returning to South America in October, to complete my travels. The plan, of course, will include a return visit to Hacienda Venecia.

I hope you have found my posts amusing, educational and above all of interest and that it has encouraged you to seriously think about visiting this amazing continent, especially Colombia.

Don’t believe everything you hear, remember; the only risk is never wanting to leave!