My first stop on my journey to explore the north of Colombia, was Vélez in the district of Santander, where I was very fortunate to spend two wonderful days as a guest of Carmenza and her family. She grew up in Velez and her father and many relatives still live there. It is an interesting little town where people still ride their horses to the pub and cattle are traded in the centre of town. Continue reading
Vélez – a small town in Santander, Colombia
Filed under Colombia, Places of historical interest
Cajica, Sopo & Parque Jaime Duque
I was very fortunate to be invited by Carmenza (Camilla & Lina’s housekeeper) to visit her family in a small town just 24 km north of Bogota, called Cajica. To get there we took the TransMilenio, Bogota’s bus rapid transport system which is somewhat inadequate for the population here. It is basically 2-4 lanes in the middle of the main highway that serves buses which are either express or stop frequently. Continue reading
Filed under Colombia, Places of historical interest
Christmas in Colombia
I was very fortunate to meet Manuel and Carola, Lena´s neighbours who live opposite. I was walking out of the gate when I met Manuel and we struck up a conversation. It was very interesting as his daughter and son-in-law live and work in Singapore and he and his wife had recently visited them.
They kindly invited me to their home for Christmas eve dinner and then the following day to their farm in Neusa, a town 65 km from Bogota. There we had a relaxing day.
Catedral de Sal, Colombia
I admit to a sense of trepidation when Ben & Maria took me to see this incredible feat of Colombian architecture. Focusing on rational thoughts like the fact hundreds of people go through this mine every day, did little to calm my racing heart, fueled by my irrational claustrophobia. Continue reading
Filed under Colombia, Places of historical interest
Anapoima
My first weekend in Colombia was amazing! Ben’s father, Mauricio drove me, his mother Maryella and two of his best friends, Camilo and Adriana to his family’s holiday house near Anapoima. (Click on map to enlarge). We descended from the mountains into the valley, traveling about 75 km into a warmer zone. Continue reading
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Filed under Colombia
Arriving in Bogota
I flew into Bogota from Guayquil on Thursday morning and was met by Maria and Ben at the very new airport. I was very excited to see them! Ben and Maria were the first 2 gap students I accepted to come to UWCSEA from the Anglo Colombiano school in Bogota, Colombia, 3 years ago. (I tease them that I played cupid!) Both are now at university, following in their parents’ footsteps, Ben studying architecture and Maria studying medicine.
Ben settled me into his grandparents’ place and I rested most of the day. In the evening we went to an interesting restaurant called Andreas Carne de Res with Ben’s father Mauricio. The restaurant was set up like a hawkers and features many items made from recycled materials. The food was amazing!
The next day Maria and Ben took me up the top of the mountain on a cable car to see a church, built in the 17th Century. We could have taken the pilgrimage path but Mount Montserrat is 3152 metres above sea level and I need a day or two to acclimatize. Maybe next time! The mountain provides magnificent views across the city. Bogota is more beautiful than I expected, lying on a high plateau in the Andes at 2625m above sea level, along the Eastern Cordillera. Although it is a very populated and dense city with over 9 million people, it has good services and is very green and the streets are organized and tidy. The traffic is heavy but not chaotic as in Lima. It is warm and pleasant during the day and gets cool at night. My first impressions are very favourable!
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Filed under Colombia
Galapagos: summary video
It is difficult to write about my trip to the Galapagos – it was like a sensory overload. Everyday seemed more amazing than the previous. I was so fortunate to get a place on the Seaman II at the last minute.
This is my first time videoing and taking photos underwater. I got better at it each day as my aim improved, as it was impossible to see on the camera what I was shooting. Coming back on the boat it was always a surprise to upload my photos.
I took so many photographs and video clips – how many? I am too embarrassed to say, however I have whittled them down to a selection for this video that is just under 8 minutes long. I can’t watch it without tearing up…….. I hope you enjoy it. Please leave me a comment…………
To do it justice please watch in full screen 🙂
Music Excerpts:
Ecuador by Sash! on Ministry of Sound – The Annual 15 Years
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong on Jazz Moods
Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy on Eva by Heart