Oct 28, 2018 - Farmers market, Flea market, Museo Botero and Gold Museum

Today we are on a city tour. First we go to the Paloquemao farmer's market. This is a fruit, vegetable and flower market. We try some fruit, Granadilla which is a sweeter passionfruit and Guanabana which has white flesh and tasted kind of like a combination of pineapple and strawberry while also being somewhat creamy and it had large black seeds. We also see the ususal Hass avocado but also another varitey which we try with salt. It is huge in size but not as creamy and dense. We also try two traditional lunch dishes one called which is...

Oct 27, 2018 - Train and Salt Cathedral

We are up early as we need to get to Savannah Station to catch the train to Zipaquirá to see The Salt Cathedral. The taxi takes only 15 minutes and we thought it would be half an hour so we are in plenty of time. A girl speaking English explains the programe and we buy the train tickets A$22ea. We board the train at 8.15 and we have carriage D seats 7 and 8. Its a cute old carriage and the train rocks alot. The top speed is about 30kmph but it is very enjoyable. They even have a band that plays in each carriage! The train takes us past some...

Oct 26, 2018 - Rio de Janiero to Bogota Colombia

Today up at 4am. We didn't get to bed till midnight after our tour around the Lapa district so not much sleep. Explore transfer us to the airport and we say our goodbyes to Diego. Flying Avianca who are very organised and and we are actually all boarded ready to go early. The flight is 6 hours to Bogota. I watched a movie and we had breakfast and a ham and cheese roll with sundried tomotoes and the flight went quickly. On arrival quick immirgation and customs and into offical taxi to the Hotel. The driver didnt speak much English but he had...

Mar 19, 2018 - Colombians know how to beach

We have had a few beach experiences during our stay in Cartagena. We have seen more beautiful beaches in our travels, but I must say that these beaches gain on atmosphere. They know how to enjoy their beach time. On the beach you can rent a 'tent' with chairs and a table. In a tent nearby, there is most likely a large group that plays music and dances. On a regular basis, vendors will come by with offers of massage, ice cream, souvenirs and - our favourite - cocktails. One has to be prepared though: Once you buy from one, you will become...

Mar 18, 2018 - First impressions

I love the first 24 hours in a new place where everything is new; places, smells, impressions. We took a taxi from the airport, and I got to try out the little Spanish that I have learned during 2017. At least Jonathan was impressed: 'Mommy, why do you speak all languages?'. Our neighborhood is Getsemani; authentic colonial style, colorful and lively. Our small hotel Casa Mara is very charming (and from seeing other areas of town in the following days, we are sure to be in the right place). We went to a local square to have dinner, on our...

Mar 18, 2018 - El Dorado (Gold Museum)

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Colombia chapter Bogotá has to say about Museo del Oro: Bogotá’s most famous museum and one of the most fascinating in all of South America, the Gold Museum contains more than 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials from all the major pre-Hispanic cultures in Colombia. It’s all laid out in logical, thematic rooms over three floors – with descriptions in Spanish and English. Second-floor exhibits break down findings by region, with descriptions of how pieces were used. There are...

Mar 15, 2018 - Around Villa De Leyva

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Colombia chapter Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander has to say about sites around Villa de Leyva: Hiking There are many hiking possibilities all around Villa de Leyva. In town, there’s a great hike that begins directly behind Renacer Guesthouse, passing two waterfalls to reach a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the village; the round-trip hike takes less than two hours. Estación Astronómica The Estación Astronómica Muisca dates from the early centuries AD and was used by the...

Mar 13, 2018 - Villa de Leyva

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Colombia chapter Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander has to say about Villa de Leyva: One of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia, Villa de Leyva is a city frozen in time. Declared a national monument in 1954, the photogenic village has been preserved in its entirety with cobblestone roads and whitewashed buildings. The city’s physical beauty and mild, dry climate have long attracted outsiders. Villa de Leyva is a leisurely place made for wandering around charming...

Mar 5, 2018 - Cartagena, Columbia

Cartagena, Columbia March 5 & 6 The sail from Panama brought us into harbor at Cartagena, Columbia around noon on Monday. We saw the high-rise buildings from afar and traversed a narrow channel with a visible reef off the port side. A statue of the Blessed Virgin with Baby Jesus stood in this reef. After lunch, we headed out on a land excursion called “Intimate Cartagena.” There were only 16 of us in a small bus with a great guide, Frank. Cartagena is the 5th largest city in Columbia with a population of about one million. Our tour...

Mar 2, 2018 - Cartagena, Columbia

So today we visited the large and very busy city of Cartagena, Columbia. This was obviously a prosperous, “money is here” city with many high rise buildings, but also the poor were represented. All I could think of was “Drug Money at work”. We had a great time riding the Hop On Hop Off bus and seeing all the major sights. The Walled City is a great combination of various types of architecture. Driving down the very narrow streets with their extremely colorful buildings with their overhanging balconies reminded us of New Orleans in many...

Mar 1, 2018 - Medellin

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Colombia chapter Medellín and Zona Cafetera has to say about Medellín: “Medellín packs the punch of a city twice its size. Situated in a narrow valley, the city’s skyline reaches for the heavens, setting high-rise apartment and office buildings against a backdrop of jagged peaks in every direction. Its pleasant climate gives the city its nickname – the City of Eternal Spring – and the moderate temperatures put a spring in the locals’ steps, at work and at play. It’s a bustling...

Feb 28, 2018 - Cartagena - Eating And Drinking

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Colombia chapter Caribbean Coast has to say about Cartagena’s Eating And Drinking: Eating “You can eat well in Cartagena, whether it be a COP$12,000 (CAD $6.00) comida corriente (daily set menu) meal at midday in a busy local lunch spot or a gourmet blowout feast inside a colonial-era boutique hotel. The city is also strong on street food: plenty of snack bars all across the old town serve typical local snacks such as arepas de huevo (fried maize dough with an egg inside), dedos de...