Cartegena

December 27, 2013

Another 5.5 hour coach ride from Sante Marta, Cartegena is a the tourist capital of Northern Colombia. Even street traders speak English in Cartegena.The old town is extremely photogenic. Colourful spanisheque architecture is everywhere within its walled confines. Filling the coachCartegena is not that far from Sante Marta, but it seems the coach drivers trawl the streets as they leave a town, touting for additional passengers. It can take up to an hour to get on the open road. ... Read more

Tayrona National Park

December 27, 2013

Tayrona National Park was the reason for bringing the swimming gear, hiking boots, mosquito repellent and toilet paper. Walking round the coast was easy if hot, with idyllic beaches. An open air hammock was rented for the night, and the following day we started the 4 hour trek over the top to some ruins and eventually out to the road. WildlifeAnts formed miniature multi lane highways between coconut palms and their nests, carrying pieces of leaf. ... Read more

Santa Marta

December 27, 2013

The coach from San Gil was an 8 hour overnighter that took us winding down to the lower lying, warm and steamy Caribbean coast, to Santa Marta. Santa Marta was a little disappointing. The hostel accommodation was not as nice as the one we left in San Gil. The town appeared fairly ordinary, and the fish restaurant had all but run out of fish. The hostel was owned by two brothers from Dublin, who took turns alternating their seasons between Dublin and running the hostel. ... Read more

San Gil

December 27, 2013

From Guane its a short coach ride by Colombian standards, back to Barichara and then to nearby San Gil. San Gil is the adrenaline center of Colombia. So it was white water rafting and abseiling and high wire adventures in a package tour. The raft master knew the words “forwards” and “backwards” and “in the boat” and was persuaded to use them instead of the Spanish equivalents. After some grade 4 rapids, he encouraged us to get out and swim. ... Read more

Barichara

December 27, 2013

3 coaches and 5.5 hours later, Barichara is similar to Ville de Leyva. But even more beautiful. CoachesThe coach out of Ville de Leyva was more a van, the road unsealed and dusty. At a small interchange, we waited to hail a blue and white coach like it was a taxi. The first we didn’t recognize, the second was full and didn’t stop, the third we got on. Once underway the air conditioned coaches take you rapidly through the lush country side, usually with Colombian music playing. ... Read more

Villa de Leyva

December 27, 2013

After a 5.5 hr bus ride north from Bogota, Villa de Leyva is a picturesque, spanishesque town. The movie Zorro was filmed here, and you can see why, its well preserved and fairly timeless. Back packs were essential, as wheeled cases would have to be carried over the very bumpy historic cobbled streets. SecurityArmed police were very visible in Colombia. Reassuring rather than intimidating. Our identification was checked on entering the Bogota coach station. ... Read more

Bogota

December 27, 2013

Arriving in ColombiaAfter 18 hours on planes and in transit , and with the 5 hour time difference, I was grateful to have someone to meet on arriving in Bogota. Bogota is a big city, comparable with London, having around 7 million people. The nearest thing to a metro system are the buses that run in dedicated lanes in the center of the street. They are packed - especially in rush hour - and the concrete roads don’t make for a smooth ride. ... Read more

About me

January 1, 0001

My name is The Dude. I have the following qualities: I rock a great beard I’m extremely loyal to my friends I like bowling That rug really tied the room together. my history To be honest, I’m having some trouble remembering right now, so why don’t you just watch my movie and it will answer all your questions.