Blogs from Bogota, Colombia, South America - page 7

Geo: 4.60987, -74.082Bogota 15 - 21 December 2015It was an easy journey from Quito to Bogota and by 3am we were in bed, so much easier than the alternative, a 28 hour bus ride!When we set off travelling in South America we were not sure if we would venture into Colombia but listening to the travellers who came from there reassured us and we decided to give it a try. So far it has been fascinating.I deliberately used the title for the blog, Bogota and Beyond, because that is the name of the tour company set up by Tommy, Ana Maria, his Colombian girlfriend and another Australian, Simon. Then if anyone googles the name they might find this blog. Bogota & Beyond is more than just a tour company. It has the aim of helping bring ... read more

Don't worry I am still alive! I have really tried to do an entry over the last month.. but it is so much work and it got more every day. Luckily, now that I already forgot two thirds of the last six weeks the work is not that hard anymore and I can make you happy again with my next blogentry. Especially because I was not travelling alone over the last 5 weeks this blogentry had to wait because I just did not have a lot of time. Soo.. right now I am sitting in a coffee-place in Bogota and I will right after this entry go to the Museo del oro and take a look at some gold which, as a swiss guy, is just the thing to do I think. Very well. I think ... read more

Further delays expected before the bike is ready to pick up in Colombia: unfortunately yes :-( We spoke yesterday with the local Cartagena shipping agent, who will be helping us to clear customs, file the bill of lading with the port authorities, get through the port police, and the administrative paperwork required to clear the motorcycle in Colombia. Unfortunately, our agent senior Ernesto informed us that we not start the paperwork until Tuesday morning, with the hope of being able to clear the motorcycle on Wednesday. That was not exactly what Zoe and I wanted to hear. It has now been over 10 days since we last rode into Panama City, and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel a bit disappointed by the further delay. Having said that, there is really ... read more

Not much to report for this last week. Nat and I have been training mornings, afternoons and nights every day. I swam a total of 19.35km, which I was pretty stoked with... it's what happens when you go swimming twice a day for a week, I guess! There weren't any excursions planned this week for school, so I had plenty of time to focus on the UWR. I'm learning heaps from the Colombian team - for example this week we learnt about the "Bottle Opener" which essentially involves popping the goalie off the basket like a bottle top. I'm playing with some really awesome, experienced goalies who are giving me some great tips (with only a few miscommunications along the way) and hopefully when we head back down towards sea level, I'll have a super breath ... read more

On Wednesday, the plan was to go to el Centro to do all of the touristy things. Unfortunately, there were some protests due to some law changes (essentially they've outlawed the little street stalls selling counterfeit designer merchandise, and A LOT of people make their money that way, hence the frustration!). So we decided it was best to stay away from that area and went and watched Jurassic World instead. It's amazing how shopping centres and cinemas are the same in every city. A big difference is that they brought the food into the cinema for us during the movies, like gold class - I felt very ritzy! After the movie, we had lunch at Crepes & Waffles, which is a popular restaurant over here (Nat was super excited to eat there after two years in ... read more