I went to Pasto, Colombia this past December. One of the major attractions there is La Laguna de la Cocha, a large lake with an island in the middle named La Corota. On the Corota there is a nature sanctuary protecting the flora and fauna endemic to the small island. The area is surprisingly popular with European expats and land owners lending itself to many gourmet restaurants and 5 star “chalets” to stay at. And the freshest trout you’ll ever eat! Once you’re finished eating, there are horses to ride, and games to play. There are also tons of food and candy vendors on the way to the boats that will give you a tour.
On our tour, our guide told us the Legend of the lake. It went something along the lines of a king getting very upset after finding out that his wife had fallen in love with someone else. The queen and her lover ran away and found themselves in this area. The king prohibited anyone from helping them. Eventually someone did aid them by giving them water from a spring. The gods were so mad with her infidelity and the disobedience of the king’s order that the water kept multiplying until it covered the whole village and became the lake that now exists.
Reunited with family on the overlook down at La Corota
We ate at Chalet Guamuez
This is the surrounding land
Some local treats on the way to our boat
On the Island
Learning about nature
Expat(ish) 
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I like places with legends. Makes me like them way more because clearly the people who have lived there had imagination. Never hurts to have that 🙂
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Yes! Our guide was like do you want to hear the legend and I was like DUH. It’s so interesting especially when they’re so old like this one.
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This sounds like a cute little town with a deep and thoughtful history.
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It definitely is. People with a lot of deep-seated traditions!
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But it could have been true love! Perhaps the gods were piting the couple (who were accused of infiidelity) and shed tears leading to a lake?
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That’s definitely a nicer story. I think people opt more for the rancorous gods in myths and legends for some reason. Especially odd in a now virtually entirely Catholic country.
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Perhaps the original story was to enforce some form of moral code. You know, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife sort of thing…
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You’re probably right
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Bonitos paisajes, quiero ir a Colombia 🙂
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A simply beautiful place. Nature sanctuaries are so great, the animals and vegetation are lucky to be protected by them.
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