Blogs from Colombia, South America - page 325

Tunja Quem é que nunca quis ir a Tunja? Quem é que nunca se viu desembarcar, no terminal de Tunja e aventurar-se pela capital do Boyacá? Eu, pessoalmente, nunca tinha ouvido falar, mas ficava a caminho de Bogotá e parecia um atractivo porto de abrigo em direcção ao sul. A viagem entre San Gil e Tunja foi, uma vez mais na minha vida, um momento agradável. Lá fora uma paisagem dramática, selva, picos cortados pelas nuvens, a estrada a serpentear a beira de vales, bananeiros, bananas, e as pessoas que apanham as bananas, bicicletas carregadas de bananas, carrinhos de mão escondidos pelas babanas. Tudo é intenso, e amarelo. Nas paragens de 15 minutos que fizemos em pequenas aldeias, barulho, côr, agitação, muito movimento. É díficil descontrair e simplesmente esticar as pernas. Somos constantemente olhados com curiosidade ... read more

I caught an overnight bus from Merida in Venezuela north to Caracas, and met two nice travellers to start off one of my more unusual travel tales. It was a good feeling to be in a city right near the caribbean coast of South America, having travelled to the southern most city in the world Ushuaia in Argentina during 2003. Perhaps it doesn't have the same ring to it as Cape Town to Cairo, but nevertheless I felt it was a memorable achievement. In a bizarre twist I stayed in Caracas for only five minutes, and my story follows... The travellers were in transit at the Caracas terminal, dear reader, and we parted company as I caught a taxi to Sabana Grande and on to a recommended hostel at 9:00am. The owner didn´t have a room ... read more

To say Colombia has a bad reputation is common knowledge to most people in the world...it´s a little like saying the Sens will lose to the Leafs in the playoffs...people just assume it (yeah Ill probably regret saying that in May). The stories of Pablo Escobar and his drug cartel in the 80's to the ongoing kidnappings of politicians, businessmen, and tourists through the last few decades have perpetuated a fear into most of western society. The problems of Colombia can mostly be attributed to the cocaine industry, crooked politicians, and the ongoing battle between the gurillas, the government and the paramilitary, that has lasted for decades. The Gurillas made up of a few differen't rebel groups occupy nearly 40 percent of the country, and are the ones responsible for the kidknappings that are reported ... read more

My friends and I continued north from Riobamba Ecuador to Banos, which is a picturesque town in the centre of the country surrounded by mountains and known for adventure activities. We spent a quiet day at the local pool in this lovely town and enjoyed good food, but had to press on north to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. We had a very bad experience within two hours of arrival despite being out early in the central tourist area, and being within a block of two security guards with dogs. Fortunately we weren't really hurt and my friend's possessions were quickly recovered by security. We spent four nights in Quito, dear reader, and a definite highlight was the middle of the world with the equator only twenty two kilometres from the city. It's a highly recommended ... read more

WOW! Thanks, ali, for the advice about the @ symbol! i don´t know how i would ever get that. I wish i had more time here, Its really not enough to spend only a week in a country, I barely scratched the surface. Yesterday, we met some guys on the plane on their way to peru, that were travelling for over a year. They made it through on $20 a day. Anyway, forgot where i left off in colombia, and i´m actually in argentina right now! backtracking... We ended up going to Villa De Levya about 3 hours (or supposedly 3 hours) from Bogota. Its a small preserved town, complete with gauchos and hard bargaining local artisans. We scoffed at the $120 a driver at the hotel wanted to charge us for a ride there and ... read more