December 4, 2007
Day 797
El Cocuy National Park Trip Day 1
I was up early this morning and got a taxi to the bus station in time to catch the 6:00 AM bus to Malaga. It was a long ride over beautiful terrain where we constantly headed up and down the area's peaks… Read More: Trouble on the Road »
November 30-December 3, 2007
Day 793-796
Eduardo, ever the Renaissance man, informed me that he was taking classes in poetry at the local university. I went with him to a recital, and was subsequently forced to read a poem to everyone in Spanish in which I didn't understand half the words. During the recital… Read More: My Worst Illness Yet »
November 29, 2007
Day 792
My next destination after adventurous San Gil was Bucaramanga, set near the Andes on the way to Venezuela. There wasn't much there in the way of tourism, but Manisha, the Indian girl I met in Manizales, recommended that I meet a friend of hers who lived in B-town. Ana… Read More: The J Peterman of Colombia »
November 28, 2007
Day 791
The adventure activity of the day today was rafting. I met up with a couple of Aussies named Adam and Nick that I met yesterday on the waterfall, and we headed out in a van to the Suarez River near San Gil. On the way, we… Read More: Rule Number Two: Don't Drown »
November 27, 2007
Day 790
Besides being my failed gateway to Cocuy National Park, San Gil is quickly becoming known as the adventure capital of Colombia. The region's natural surroundings have given birth to a whole host of adventure sports, and I figured my visit wouldn't be complete without trying something fun.
November 26, 2007
Day 789
Back in Villa de Leyva, I spent a day buying presents for Christmas with the intention of sending them home right away. Last year most of my presents from French Guiana got stolen en route to the USA, and I really wanted to avoid repeating the bad experience. Villa… Read More: The Instant Gratification Mail System of Colombia »
November 23-25, 2007
Days 786-788
It took me a whole day to get to Villa de Leyva on a series of buses from Bogotá. It still is difficult for me to get over how much time is wasted on transportation to seemingly close places in South America. Villa de Leyva was a small colonial… Read More: Another Colonial Town »
November 21-22, 2007
Days 784-785
I went to the Gold Museum only to find out that they were closed for remodeling. That was tough for me because it was my main reason for staying in Bogotá. I found out that they had moved some of their collection to another location, but when I went… Read More: Trendy Museums, Parks, and Hills »
November 19-20, 2007
Days 782-783
I had been complaining to myself about the price of transportation in Colombia for awhile, and today was no exception. Buses cost more here than anywhere in South America other than Brazil and the Guianas, but the reason always seemed to be more than economics. Colombia is the only… Read More: Bogotá, not Exactly Like the Movies »
I'm nearing the end of my trip, but there is still one more chance for you to have an excuse to visit South America: The Carribean Coast of Colombia. Hot weather, beaches, snorkeling, scuba diving, big parties, and the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena make this region the jewel of the Caribbean. It will definitely… Read More: Invitation: The Jewel of the Caribbean »
