Blogs from Bogota, Colombia, South America - page 54

Well after nearly 3 weeks in Colombia, I have finally found time to add a new blog. It has been somewhat of a change of pace since leaving Cuba and we now find ourselves quickly approaching the end of our trip. That said, much has been explored in Colombia and some adventuring remains. We arrived in Bogota from Havana on April 12th, one month after leaving Lima, Peru for this fabled island. Cuba was an incredible experience but one that was hard on the pocketbook, therefore it was with some relief that we landed back on the southern continent to find prices more to our liking. Bogota, set at 2600m or so was a refreshing change from the heat of Cuba and was not unlike spring in Vancouver. Cool to cold night followed by warm ... read more

From Medellin it was off to the capital Bogotá. Another long bus journey of 9 hours which we decided to do during the day but shouldn’t have bothered as all you end up doing is sleeping anyway so should have saved it for the night. Bogotá believe it or not reminded me of Manchester about 15 years ago, lots of similar 70´s looking buildings but built more recently and especially the climate it was always grey and rainy! It was nice to be home! Our first night in the Platypus Hostel was very cold. Our room was in a part of an old colonial building that looks like it should have been condemned a few years back and the room consisted of just a bed with cold tiled floors and we spent most of the night ... read more

Well i have flown into bogota and was really impressed! Me Jules and Robbie grabbed a taxi to our hostel which was located in the historical center and quite a nice section of town to walk around. being quite late we grabbed some dinner at a nice resturant and finished the night off with a couple of beers. The next day i had a chance to see a bit more of the city walking through Bolivar plaza and visiting the Botero museum which is up there with one of the best museums i have ever been to and it was free! all in all it is a really good city to walk around with police literally on every corner it feels like almost the safest city i have been to in south america. It has ... read more

Huilattiin rannalla aamupäivä ennen Bogotaan lähtöä. Iltapäivällä pakatessa ihmeteltiin miten rinkka vaan paisuu ja paisuu vaikka ei olla mitään ostettu. Maksettiin lasku ja hypättiin taas hiaceen määränpäänä bussiterminaali. Saatiin yöbussi suhteellisen helposti. Lähtöön oli tosin kaksi tuntia, mutta se meni mukavasti bussiyhtiön ”vip-huoneessa” telkkarista fudista katsellen. Bussin nytkähtäessä liikenteeseen Katjalle tuli hieman huono olo. Tai sitten se tuli sen jälkeen, kun oltiin tuhottu pussillinen sipsejä ja vaahtokarkkeja (herkut meni sitä vauhtia, että hyvä että oltiin edes bussiterminaalista päästy ulos). Bussimatkalla oli myös todella kylmä vaikka meillä oli meidän lämminkerta mukana. Täytyy varmaan nostaa varustelutasoa yhdellä pykälällä ja ottaa seuraavalla kerralla vaellustakit mukaan. Bogotaan päästyämme käytiin vielä bussiterminaalissa kyselemässä lompakkoa, jos se olis... read more

Just four days before Bush comes to town things hot up at the National University ... Colombia´s biggest public university, when a riot kicks off. Students with hardscarfs covering their faces throw rocks and mini hand made bombs at the police, the police respond with armoured tanks spraying water at the protestors and tear gas if they get to close. We were standing in the crowd watching until someone decided to chuck some of the tear gas at us! I legged it, my heart pounding and managed to get away in time. My friend wasnt so fast and when he caught up with me had eyes streaming from the gas. Think that is the fastest i have ever ran! Didnt go back after that ... quite enough excitement for one day! On sunday, when Bush is ... read more