catching up very soon..... [View Full Entry]

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After a week watching cable tv and eating pizza in Medellin (really other than a few parties in Hostels, this is all I did, yep ever so often a man needs to veg), I make a break for the Northern Caribbean coast, and the promise of african beats, pina coladas, endless beaches and crystal clear warm water. Although as usual, before one is treated to such delights, a man must endure a 14 hr bus journey, with the A/C cranked up to 0 C, a seat situated over the back axle, and that doesnt recline, and the spare bus driver snorring [View Full Entry]

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After a bus journey that was 5 hours more than scheduled we make it to the coffee zone of Colombia. The town is typically small, with a nice square (Colonial of course), a few police men lazily leaning on their m16s and at least 10 restaurants advertising trout as their dish of the day. Feeling peckish, I have trout, and head back to the only hostel in town, the plantation house. This is owned by a friendly but eccentric english guy, who as the uncanny ability to be able to say the same tourist speel to every new comer to the [View Full Entry]

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I have taken a quick decision not to go to the town of Cali and head for bogota, well to be truthful, I couldnt face getting up at 6am and walking 3kms with my ever increasing heavy backback. The town of Cali boasts the best salsa schools in Colombia, the most attractive girls and the new home of the drug cartels. Wont be missing that one! Bogota on the other hand is the capital of Colombia and its biggest city and I suspect it will also have salsa, girls and a few drug lords. Its also known for a great nightlive [View Full Entry]

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The story so far..... I will simply say that Colombia is a must do for any travellers in SA, forget the crap you read on dangers etc, it no worse than any other country. A lot of this negative hipe seems to come from US media, which firstly being US media, will have little impartiality and is also intended to deter US citizens from visiting the country. This is definitely obvious, compared with the amount of USAers in Equador, and is a welcome change! So anyway, after a night or 2 in Popayan, a beautiful colonial era town, with the unfortuneate [View Full Entry]

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Just crossed the border by foot! Left Ecuador, stood waiting for my Colombian visa, handed over my passport, dude looks at it for a while and then asks me if Im from Nothern Ireland or Southern Ireland! I wasnt really expecting this so was a little flustered in my response, but realising the reason, I tell him that although I was born in Belfast, its a passport from the Republic. He then, picks up the phone then buggers off for 10 mins with my passport. If you are not aware, Irelands profile or more exactly N.Irelands profile has been front page [View Full Entry]

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Well, after 8 weeks in Quito (well 2 where in the coast) .... Im outta school, armed to the teeth with enough Spanish to write a really bad phrase book with heavy Belfast pronuncation but with an appetite for doing some serious travelling! The fun begins! After being outta college for 10 years, it was not an easy task having to put myself in a class for 4 hrs a day and go home and to homework at night (like college I generally crammed it in the morning)! Especially when it is equivalent academically to a 5 year olds! Anyway, I [View Full Entry]

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We´re advised to go to the Doctor in St Vincente, 20km from Canoa. He knows his shit. We get a taxi to bring us there. The surgery seems like the usual doctors surgery, the nurse is wearing white, theres a few very sick old people around! We get through the formalities in Spanish. Go into the Examination roon. The Doc doesnt speak English. My spanish is really not at the level to decribe exact symptons, but with a few hand gestures and a few sore this n that, we muddle are way through it. Actually as does most, i do a [View Full Entry]

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I need a vacation, 3 weeks of school and I´m pooped! The plan is hit the coast, canoa first then travel down towards Puerto Lopez. The night bus was booked out so had to take the day bus. Was a scary journey, coming out of Quito, out of the Mountains. Especially when he locked the brakes and near rear ended someone! Have made it as far as Baños, theres a local festival on. End up drinking Aquadiente with a few locals. Translated, it means fire water! It is! My Spanish was great after a few shots! Ended up in Canoa, in [View Full Entry]

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In Quito in Ecuador! Been in a language school for 2 weeks now and really beginning to hate it! Spanish is going ok, should be studying more, but after 4 hrs in the morning and excerises in the evening, i´m bloody knackered! Not speaking enough of it to be honest. Living in the Gringo part of town, so everyone speaks English. 2 more weeks of school then its off to Columbia Done a few trips out of town, Coto Paxi Volcanoe and the Center del Mundo, balancing eggs on nails etc.... Gonna do another week of it then take a week [View Full Entry]

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