Blogs from Santander, Colombia, South America - page 5

When we found ourselves in the small colonial town of Barichara in the heartland of Columbia, we were so utterly charmed by the friendly atmosphere and scenic setting that we decided to stay a week longer than planned (really sticking to the plan of no plan!). Barichara is a photographer´s dream. Set high on a sloping hillside, whitewashed buildings line stone-paved narrow streets. The red roof tiles and blooming flowers give the town a Tuscan feel, but the lush sweeping gorges on either side make it distinctly Colombian. Plus Semana Santa was fast approaching and we had heard enough about it to know that it was a really really big deal. Of all the religious festivities on the Catholic calendar, Semana Santa (or Holy Week, or the week before Easter for all those who missed out ... read more

Wow! I loved this experience! I got to white water raft just outside of San Gil, Colombia in the Rio Suarez...which at the moment has class 3, 4, and 5 rapids...major white water....and it was my first time! Such an adrenaline rush and mental challenge...along with a serious physical challenge. I don't remember the last time I worked both my mind and body so I went with a new friend from the hostel...another solo backpacker from Montreal...really cool guy. He and I both wanted to go rafting, but didn't think we could go because we didn't have the 4 people required to make a group. That is until 3 Colombian girls and a Swiss couple showed up that morning also wanting to go...so off we went! Our hostel owner arranges the trip through a local adventure ... read more

Partida de Mérida Confundo a enorme vontade de ficar com uma sensação estranha de bem estar. Partir, para mim, é mais do que uma vontade, é um dever e um desafio. Por cada sitio que passo, provo sempre a mesma sensação de angústia, quando chega o momento de seguir. Há sempre mais para ver, mais para fazer, conhecer. São demasiadas razões que me levam a colocar sempre a hipótese de ficar mais um dia. E sempre que isto acontece recordo as vésperas da partida de Lisboa. Lembro-me dos mapas espalhados, rasgados, escritos. Lugares assinalados a marcador, livros e guias....tudo numa azáfama que recordo com um sorriso. Até agora esta terapia tem funcionado, e continuo a girar. Desta vez, sair da Venezuela, só foi fácil porque o objectivo era a Colombia. Prometi a mim mesmo voltar, e ... read more