Blogs from Colombia, South America - page 279

Coffee pickin, mountain climbin, chiva ridin madness

South America » Colombia » Manizales April 27th 2008

My next stop was in the lovely little town of Salento, an hour east of Armenia. The town is a typical pueblo paisa and full of colourful fronted houses around the main plaza and lots of people milling around with their ponchos on. I stayed in the Mountain House hostel which is in one of the nicest settings I have stayed in here, with lovely gardens and an annex down across a field with the best views from my dorm room. From here I took a jeep with some others from the hostel to the Cocora valley famous for its wax palms, where I wanted to go horse riding. The others were all planning to walk so I was a little surprised to find that I was renting a horse but no guide and set off ... read more

Falling for Colombia

South America » Colombia April 24th 2008

Salento, posing kittycat

N O U K

Crossing the border in to Colombia is very easy. And I will soon find out that it will become one of my favourite countries. First things first, after a night in Pasto I continue my travels to Popayan; the white city. This another Latin American colonial city, pretty like other cities where most buildings are painted white. Salento has a totally different vibe. This town with 7000 habitants and is located at 1895m altitude and it is one of biggest coffee areas of Colombia. Coffee is Colombia's first export product, drugs is second. Here in the hilly green surroundings of Salento I visit 2 different coffee plantations. The colours of the various flowers are truly breathtaking. The area is peaceful. The town itself is interesting with its colourful balconies and window frames. Naturally I try the ... read more

Scuba-dooby-do and other adventures in Colombia

South America » Colombia » Bogota April 22nd 2008

Parque Tayrona

The John and Sarah Show

Our expectations surpassed ten-fold, we ended our three week journey through Ecuador with an overland border crossing to Colombia. Yes Mom, Colombia. Colombia is a country that was not even on our radar when left the States last September, but conversations with fellow backpackers convinced us that we had to see Colombia. To most Americans ( who, let´s face it, are not the most adventurous people), Colombia is a place to avoid. But why? I guess most people think of cocaine cartels and FARC guerillas, both of which are not nearly as prominent as they were 20 years ago. Apparently President Uribe has made Colombia much safer. That said, a lot of Colombians (those who aren´t rich) still hate his guts. As we write this blog, Colombia has been in negotiations with the U.S. to work ... read more

Volunteering at Hogar Arco Iris

South America » Colombia » Cali April 22nd 2008

DSC01875

divingbelle

When I went to meet the kids I was planning to volunteer with they were sitting quietly watching TV but I was immediately jumped on and hugged by 4 little monkeys called, Jhon, Yahaira, Nicole and Cristian Duane. I clearly wasn’t the first foreign volunteer they had seen and without any further questions or introductions I was dragged out to the patio area where they had all their toys to play with them. I had wanted to do some volunteering firstly to improve my Spanish and secondly to get to know one place from a different perspective. I thought that a month chatting and working with the staff at the home would give me this, but as soon as I arrived that first day I was left alone with the kids and so I quickly realised ... read more

If the Heat Doesn't KIll the Elderly I Will

South America » Colombia » Santa Marta April 21st 2008

The snow caps.

Tyrone

Adam and I bought a couch because, to be perfectly honest, we needed someplace to sit. I’m pretty sure the slipping pass to Chalmers for the game tying three only happened because Jors Adam and I were flapping our arms like Angels in the Outfield. Jerry, THE HEAT. It has arrived, in full force. To escape it we went to San Lorenzo this weekend, a nearby mountain town that I visited once a few years ago. Last time our accommodations were pretty sketchy, this time they were amazing. It was like a ski trip, freezing cold outside, at 2200 meters (about a mile and a half), communal eating, sitting around a fireplace to keep warm and bunkbed-filled rooms. Josh, Adam and I went with Ed, his lady Kirsi, their son Leo-Hey! her cousin and his wife ... read more

Aangekomen in Bogota

South America » Colombia » Bogota April 19th 2008

JosM

Zo, het heeft even geduurd maar ik ben weer ontsnapt aan het dagelijkse leven in Nederland. Er is best veel gebeurd het afgelopen anderhalf jaar. Ik ben onder andere tot mijn eigen verbazing met veel plezier aan het werk. Desalniettemin heb ik per jaar genoeg verlof dagen om nu maarliefst 5 weken op vakantie te gaan. Bestemming is dit keer Colombia, beetje onverwacht misschien als je af moet gaan op de berichtgeving van de massa media. Ik heb echter verhalen uit de eerste hand gehoord (toen ik ergens tussen Mexico en Panama zwerfde) en die beloofden veel goeds. Neemt niet weg dat ik ook de massamedia volg en dus wel wat vraagtekens zette bij deze reis. Er is echter veel gebeurd in Colombia sinds een jaartje of 5, waardoor er significant meer veiligheid heerst. Bovendien is ... read more

Bogota, COLOMBIA

South America » Colombia » Bogota April 19th 2008

Botero museum

ODN

Lots of reasons to visit most places. Bogota, Colombia happens to be the home of Julia's Father and his family. Holden had never been, but was excited to visit for sure. Saw a fair amount of the city and managed to acclimate to the altitude by the time it came to depart for Cartagena. Vistited Winter 2006.... read more

Don't mind the news Mum, I'm off to Colombia!

South America » Colombia April 18th 2008

Don Elias Finca, Salento

Ellen Around the World

Colombia has long been reputed as one of the most violent countries on earth. Where great coffee, left-wing guerrilla groups, drug barons, syndicated crime and kidnaps are rife. Where back in 2000, two crazy English backpackers were kidnapped attempting to cross the Darien Gap from Panama to Colombia and held hostage by FARC guerrillas. Where in 2003, one Brit and four Israeli backpackers were held hostage for 102 days after they were kidnapped on a trek to the Lost City near Taganga. Where as at 2000, 2/3 of the world’s kidnappings occurred. Yet, the longer I stayed on the gringo trail - the more tantalising a destination it became. I heard stories of the coffee, breathtaking mountains, green fertile countryside and a Caribbean playground with some of the cheapest... read more

Bogota

South America » Colombia » Bogota April 16th 2008

bobbin

Hopefully this blog will allow you all to see where I am and to know that I am safe. I have been in Colombia and so far there have been no problem, apart from my foot falling down a drain (no damage done). I spent a month in Cali with my Aunty and cousins. I had a brilliant time and loved spending some time with them as it dosen´t happen very often! I also had the opportunity to help at the Collegio Colombo Britanico which was brilliant and has made me realise that I definatly would like to teach abroad for a couple of years, defo somewhere hot with lots of sexy men!! Cali photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=100192&l=7bcbd&id=507730404 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=101115&l=e8f31&id=507730404 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=103444&l=eba4c&id=507730404 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105899&l=af561&id=507730404 http://www.facebook.com/al... read more

Colombia

South America » Colombia April 10th 2008

Parque Tayrona

toshofbarra

Some people say travelling alone gives you freedom. Bollocks - try travelling without a budget, that really gives you freedom. And so it was I bought me a plane ticket and made an unplanned jaunt north for a square go with the FARC. Ignorance is bliss, and I closed my ears to mutterings in the media about border conflicts, guerillas, drug barons and the like. Having said that, such bravado was put to one side as I shamelessly begged for safe passage through Bogota from a friend whose parents live there. Really wouldnt want to come acropper on my first day! Flew up to Caragena, a cracking 17th century colonial fortified port city with most of the original buildings surviving almost unchanged in hundreds of years. Apart from a trip to a volcanic mud pool I ... read more

Brief history of Colombia

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part...more history

Forum Topics for Colombia

Moving to Columbia with...Posts: 2

Hello Everyone!!!!!Posts: 4

Planning a trip between...Posts: 6

Buying a used car in Co...Posts: 5

Volunteer in Colombia (...Posts: 6

Colombia to CubaPosts: 1

Travelling by car/van t...Posts: 3

Cartagena - to go, or n...Posts: 3

I am planning a trip th...Posts: 19

Favorites in ColumbiaPosts: 4

Colombia to Brazil - by...Posts: 7