As unique as this experience was to Pacific Colombia, it still seemed to characterise the spirit of the whole country: perpetual music, laughter and passion.

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Spirit - backed by private equity firms Texas Pacific Group and CVC Capital Partners as well as US investment bank Blackstone - saw off rival bids from pubs group Laurel and Japanese bank Nomura.

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Several hours and a change of planes north of YVR, the gnomelike Swiss pilot flying the Grumman Goose to King Pacific Lodge is holding forth about Sasquatch (he's seen one from the plane) and spirit bears and avalanches.

FORBES: Life