Cuzco to the Caribbean...

Now then,
So, in Columbia at the moment, which is just incredible. Currently on the Caribbean coast, in a place called Taganga, and an average day consists of enjoying the beach, perhaps a bit of snorkelling on the coral reef just offshore. The sunsets here are quite simply amazing, especially when accompanied by an ice cold beer, and then the evening consists of drinking rum, and then dancing to some live bands (usually doing Buena Vista Social Club covers, and with some awesome live brass!).

Anyways, rewinding a little bit. Sorry its been a while since I wrote. Left La Paz and moved on to the Bolivian Copacobana (cue Barry Mannilow again!) on Lake Titicaca, which was beautiful. The high altitude and lack of pollution makes the air here very clear, and thus the water is perhaps the bluest I(ve ever seen. Visited some ruins and also the spot where the Incas claim the world began which, as Im sure youll agree, is nice.

Moved on to Peru, and onto the tourist town of Cuzco, which was alot of fun. Panpipe cover songs blare out from every tourist shop, perhaps my favourite being a cover of Cliff Richard´s "Mistletoe and Wine". Had a few days chilling in Cuzco, visiting some of the local Inca ruins, before heading to the big daddy - Machu Picchu. Decided not to do the Inca Trail, due to a lack of time, money and forward planning, so got the train to the town below. From there, the following morning at 4.30am, we walked up the mountain, as the sun was rising, to the site. For a while we seemed to have the whole place to ourselves which was amazing, and very peaceful. The ruins are spectacular, particularly the setting, perched on the mountain ridge, and definately live up to the hype. Climbed the mountain behind, Wayna Picchu, before heading back down to find the site crawling with tour groups and Inca trailers. Left pretty quickly after that!!

Made the decision to go to Columbia, and as a result decide that the rest of Peru and Equador would have to be skipped. A couple of days on some fairly hellish busses were in order. Stopped off in the surf town of Mancora, and scored a couple of good days in the water (lovely little point/beach break), where tropical fish dance between your feet as you wait for waves, and some awesome weather, which was nice.

Next off, Equador. I only had two things I wanted to do in Equador as I passed through:
1. to discover whether toilets flush in different directions on either side of the equator. it turns out they do (despite the lonely planet saying otherwise=
2. to discover whether it was true that the only song they played on the radio here was "Equador" by Sash - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBZiI6t_A_U - turns out it isnt. Its ALL reggaeton!

Crossed over into Columbia, and discovered they didnt do night busses due to "guerralla activity" in the area, which was good to know. however was glad, as my bus the next day to Cali was the most spectacular road I´ve ever been on (which is saying alot) - the road weaving through deep valleys and semi tropical forests punctuated by fields lay underneither soaring condors. amazing. was stopped fairly regularly by army checkpoints, where theyll point an AK47 in your face, get everyone off the bus, ask if youre involved in guerralla activity, give you a good body search (complete with an uncomfortabley extended "cupping") before sending us on our way.
Spent a couple of nights in Cali, the Salsa and plastic surgery capital of the world, which made for an interesting night out. the main strip in town is known as "silicon valley" thanks to the augmented women found there. After embarassing myself trying to dance salsa with girls with gargantuan hooters, i moved on to Medillin, where Pablo Escobar ran all his operations, which was pretty interesting, before heading to the Caribbean.
Spent a few days in the lovely colonial city of Cartagena, enjoying some fine architecture, and pretentiously reading a Gabriel Garcia Marquez book, before heading to the Caribbean paridise of Taganga and Tyrona. You know the score. White sands, palms, coral reefs etc. etc.



So, so, so much more has happened but sadly cant fit it all in here. like i said last time, youll have to buy me a beer when i get back!!!
Now Im waiting for a flight to Panama in a few hours, to meet up with Mattlee and return to Central America. South America has been amazing. I´ve loved every minute of it, especially Bolivia and Columbia, and now can´t wait to come back. You all have to come here (especially to Columbia while its still relatively untouched by Western tourism! its gonna be a huge destination in the future).

Hope youre all well. Keep in touch and take teasy.
lots of love
Wxxx

ps. amazingly still on the 4s and 5s.

---

---