After breakfast, we rejoined the bus and drove to the small village of Salento. There we boarded old Willys Jeeps and drove into the Corcora Valley. There was lush vegetation on either side, and we arrived at a small cafe which was surrounded by wax palm trees.
This is what Wikipedia has to say about them:
Ceroxylon quindiuense, often called Quindío wax palm, is a palm native to the humid montane forests of the Andes in Colombia and Peru.
This palm species can grow to a height of 45 m (148 ft) —or rarely, even as high as 60 m (200 ft). It is the tallest recorded monocot in the world. The trunk is cylindrical, smooth, light colored, covered with wax; leaf scars forming dark rings around the trunk. The leaves are dark green and grayish, 185–540 cm (6.1–17.7 ft) long, with a petiole up to 80 cm (31 in). Fruits are globose and orange-red when ripe, 1.6–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) in diameter.
It grows in large and dense populations along the central and eastern Andes of Colombia (rarely in the western Colombian Andes), with a disjunct distribution in the Andes of northern Peru. The elevational range of this species is between 2,000 and 3,100 m (6,600 and 10,200 ft) above sea level. It achieves a minimum reproductive age at 80 years. Wax palms provide habitats for many unique life forms, including endangered species such as the yellow-eared parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis).
Populations of Ceroxylon quindiuense are threatened by habitat disturbance, overharvesting and diseases. The fruit was used as feed for cattle and pigs. The leaves were extensively used in the Catholic celebrations of Palm Sunday; such leaves coming from young individuals which were damaged to death. That activity has been reduced severely in recent years due to law enforcement and widespread campaign. Felling of Ceroxylon quindiuense palms to obtain wax from the trunk also is an activity still going on in Colombia and Peru. The palm is recognized as the national tree of Colombia, and since the implementation of Law 61 of 1985, it is legally a protected species in that country.
The wax of the trunk was used to make candles, especially in the 19th century. The outer part of the stem of the palm has been used locally for building houses, and was used to build water supply systems for impoverished farmers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in Colombia and California.
As noted, the palms are dying out for the reasons explained above, but there is a plan to try to restore them.
In the Corcora Valley we stopped at a small cafe and had a drink of Canelazo which is a local cocktail made with, among other things, cinnamon.
Refreshed we started the walk up the mountain and encountered a small herd of horses, one of which was acquainted with Jorge who fed it a banana. As the track got steeper, I decided that i would not proceed further as descending would have been tricky. Mike and Krista and Jorge continued on up and were rewarded by great views of a condor which was circling the summit. MAC and I descended back to the cafe to await their return.
When they came down, we walked back to a restaurant where, first we planted two small wax palm trees in a small nursery tended by an elderly man who wants to try to make sure that the wax palm tree does not die out. This gentleman who was very kind gave us all a hug before we left, and we hope that the two plants which we planted will thrive.
Then we had lunch at the restaurant before returning to the village of Salento to spend a little time wandering the busy and colorful streets.
Then it was back to the hotel.
As it was Sunday, the possibility of eating at a restaurant in the town of Pereira was limited but we did manage to get a reservation at Piura which serves good food. We took a taxi into the town and Jorge joined us for a pleasant meal. Jorge kindly drove us back to the hotel.
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