Kilometer 18 outside of cali

[fred757]

Has anyone on this forum been to Kilometer 18 up in the moutains around Cali?
I hear its where colombians go for the restaurants and cafes.
Has this area been made safer or should it still be avoided? I never been there - is it worth
going up there or is it a so-so tourist venue?

Fred, if you´re asking about the Dapa area, then yes, it´s safe. I was there recently and had the pleasure of having lunch with Robert Vignola and one of his clients. The place was a beautiful cute, cozy restaurant overlooking the Cauca Valley. It´s worth the trip, maybe 35 minutes from La Flora. The climate is perfect, like Pereira or Medellin.

Maybe Robert could name the restaurant.

[SCourt]

I was just Kilometer 18 outside of Cali about 10 days ago. It's very refreshing to go from the heat of Cali (not counting the 5 PM breeze from the mountains) to a nice cool climate higher up in the mountains.

The locals say that there have been some problems further up the road from K18 from time to time so I wouldn't recommend going farther than that area for a lunch date.

I went up to the "Christo" statue once. Halfway up the mountain we got stopped by some soldiers and a tank blocking the way. At first I thought it was the FARC but, turned out to be the Colombian army. Made to the statue and took some photos. An interesting trip but, I won't do it again.

[John]

Originally posted by Encinoman:
...we got stopped by some soldiers and a tank blocking the way. At first I thought it was the FARC but, turned out to be the Colombian army...

I feel you, bro. I have experienced those similar incidents in the past a small (thank God!) number*** of times, and each time my stomach "turns over." But, then, the relief is one of ABSOLUTE gratefulness once it is confirmed that it is the 'lovely' Colombian Army. (Hell, any army in Colombia I have to face that is NOT the FARC is 'lovely' to me!)

***Twice going to Buenaventura/Ladrilleros, and once going to Lago Calima.

John