~ Visit to the Finca

This weekend some of us on the primary staff were invited to the finca of our principal's good friend. Loosely translated, a finca is a farm; however to call this estate a 'farm' is a gross understatement!!

First we drove for about an hour and just when we thought we had gone too far.....



.... we drove through the gates of Garza Blanca and were welcomed into the gorgeous hacienda.



The property has been in the family for over a hundred years.

The gardens were beautiful


And we enjoyed our picnic in the sun



Vanessa and I soaked up the sunshine!


The hacienda is still furnished with gorgeous items brought from France:




After lunch, we took a tour of the estate, which now houses both a dairy farm and 'beef' operation.

This is a modern milking station ~ complete with reading material for the cows!!



The countryside was so beautiful on this sunny afternoon, and the cows grazing made quite the picturesque scene:





Being out on a farm brought back memories for Debbie!!



As we came around to the part of the estate where the beef operation was housed, we found that the owner does not only appreciate cows, but modern art as well:



Here is the corral where the 'beef' cattle are weighed.


And how do these Angus gain weight (and develop a tasty flavor?)
Well, they eat cake!!



Sweet!!!




As we drove up the mountains, we caught a glimpse not only of the hacienda,


but of Bogota as well:


This is the rock garden at the back of the house, created by blasting the mountain away from the house!