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Pamplona.
Friday twenty eighth Dec 2012
We left Cucuta at 7.30 on a bus for Pamplona the place we had planed to remain the evening. The evening earlier than Bernie requested how lengthy would it not take to get from Merida to Pamplona. I did my lonely planet calculation added an hour for the border and stated 9 hours. Sadly with the visitors, ready in traces and an accident we took 13 1/2. We stayed at resort Ursua for two nights.
Sat twenty ninth Dec 2012.
The constructing resort Ursua is over 400 years previous and has been a resort for greater than a 100 years. It was constructed by the founding father of Pamplona. His title was Captain Pedro De Ursua. The massive room we have been in, was a household room and has a double mattress and 4 single beds, with a balcony overlooking the city park.
Strolling round city we seen that there’s a lot of church buildings for a inhabitants of solely 70,000. We additionally visited the Museum of images near the cemetery. Imilirno an a his brother Victor have partitions and partitions of great images of the world and of the individuals. in considered one of
the rooms they’ve made a 3D show of the central village dated again to 1875. On the way in which to their place you see a painted mural on a wall. This was additionally painted by Imilirno. The brothers age is of their 70ish and have lived in Pamplona all their lives together with their father and grandfather. So do they know historical past. We will need to have been there for 1 1/2 hours. There may be additionally lots of buildings now getting used for schools and education as they’re large. So there’s a nice variety of college students that come right here to check.
San Gil
Solar thirtieth Dec 2012
We walked to the station to go to San Gil. We waited for an hour earlier than boarding a bus for Bucaramanga 5 hours away. We handed over many mountains and tight bends earlier than arriving. 3 youngsters on the bus had bus illness and vomited a few instances. Burnie provided on e coule her movement illness tablets for his or her boy.
We needed to wait for an additional hour for the bus to San Gil 86 km away, taking
us one other 3 hours. You do not need to be in a rush travelling on this space. Arriving lastly at 5 pm after which the search was on for a hostel. After our second try we managed to get the final room at Hostel El Dorado. We did not need to strive our luck trying to find any others, because it was round new years, so we took it for 4 nights. The hostel could be very tranquillo and quiet with no events. It has a kitchen, free espresso all day, sizzling water, laundry, wifi and the very best service you possibly can ask for. Louis actually tried to make your keep comfy even reserving us our subsequent acc. and likewise organizing our bus tickets. He gave us a heap of information in town and likewise locations to see in Colombia.
Mon thirty first Dec 2012.
We did a day journey to a city known as Baricharra approx. 40 min from San Gil . Baricharra has a inhabitants of 7000 and is a really neat and tidy picturesque colonial village. All buildings are fabricated from stone, mud and a few brick all with terracotta tiled roofs and Whitewashed partitions all courting again to greater than 300
years. There’s a sandstone cathedral close to the principle sq. The village was like seeing one thing out of a film theme. Whereas strolling the streets the scence of feeling was heat and welcoming. With each nook you turned there was wonderful views of homes, streets and mountains.
Because it was new years eve there was many locals and vacationers consuming and consuming with household and associates at eating places and nook shops. We got here throughout a church on prime of a hill and the construction was produced from stone. Every stone will need to have been about 4 foot L x 2 ft. H x 1 ft. W. Behind the church we discovered a swimming pool and subsequent door to that could be a public backyard with spectacular views of the valleys and mountains. We had a pleasant 2 course lunch at Restaurante La Casona for less than $3 every. We extremely suggest this as a day journey from San Gil.
That evening spending new years eve in central park. Watching locals with their stuffed scarecrows of males crammed with fireworks . theese they set fireplace to at midnight, exploding their creations. It’s their means of claiming goodbye to the previous 12 months
and welcoming in 2013.
Tues 1st Jan 2013.
Completely satisfied new 12 months. One other day journey. This time to San Juan Curi Cascada. A privately owned waterfall in a farmers yard.. That is a few 40 min bus journey in direction of Charala. The bus driver dropped us of out the entrance. We went in and paid $2.50 entry price after which stroll for about 20 min up a stone path till you get to the 128m waterfall. Right here you possibly can swim, absail down the waterfall and simply chill out. We suggest taking a picnic and a wine and simply chill out. We sat there simply watching the Colombians having fun with the waterfall, swimming, absailing, whereas freezing to demise as it’s shaded and really chilly..
San Gil is the sports activities centre of Colombia. You possibly can absail, parasail, white-water raft, horse experience, go caving, mountain bike, hike and rent 4×4 motorbikes or bicycles. There’s a inhabitants of fifty,000 however there will need to have been one other 25,000 guests as properly. The city is constructed with the contour of the mountains and among the streets have gotten ramps in a zig zag sample to go up as steps can be to steep. There’s a
river operating by means of the centre of city the place you possibly can swim. We additionally had our first expertise of tasting Hormiga Culona ( fats backside ants) which might be fried. Weren’t to unhealthy in any respect.
Wed 2nd Jan 2013.
Todays an enormous day. We now have each determined to be courageous and take another factor from our bucket checklist. We’re going paragliding. Huge gulp. Yep they picked us up at 8.30 am and we drove as much as PNN Chicamocha. There you soar from a cliff from a top of 1000m overlooking the river and relying on the wind can elevate one other 2000m overlooking Chicamocha canyon.
Bernie was first. Off she went, humorous did not hear any screaming. All of us watched to see the place the wind took them. It wasn’t up, down, down, over to the opposite facet of the canyon, up a bit. 5 min later nonetheless watching them doing circles slowly climbing up then again decrease. They have been having bother getting an air pocket. No-one else was going but. All of us sat down and watched them doing circles and attempting to climb for about one other 10 min. I believed to myself, I ponder how she goes. All of the sudden
we’re all standing and inside 30 sec I used to be within the air. I assume they have to of discovered what they have been on the lookout for. Up and up we went doing circle work. Ultimately Bernie will need to have received as much as round 2000m mark. After about 20 min I landed, nonetheless Bernie was up there. After about one other 5 min she landed coated in spew. Yep she had vomited, however beloved each second of it. Her remark was it was well worth the chuck. As a result of my first flip was not lengthy they requested if I wished to go once more. Sure please. This time we received extra top and higher views.
All in all, nice to do and one other off the bucket checklist. Merely breathtaking
Villa de Leyva
Thur third Jan 2013.
Taking of at present from San Gil to Villa de Leyva. Travelling at Christmas time in Colombia is reasonably busy, as tens of 1000’s journey by bus. We tried 3 transport firms. The primary bus we might get on was at 12 pm, nevertheless the bus didn’t arrive for us till 1 pm. We travelled to Tunja earlier than getting onto one other bus for Villa de
Leyva. Acc. We had received Luis from El Dorado to ebook our acc there because it was owned by the identical individuals. We might solely get Thur & Fri nights at Hostel Rana as lots of Bogotans come right here for his or her holidays and each weekend. As it’s the closest nation city to town that has one thing to supply. If visiting attempt to plan to reach on a Monday as costs for all the things practically double on the weekends and is tough to get acc.
Fri 4th Jan 2013.
Very first thing we did at present was buy our tickets to Bogota for the next day. Second was get Claudia from hostel Rana to organise some acc.in Bogota. After the 4th phonecall we lastly hit the jackpot.
Then we visited the Fosil show about 6 km from city. We received the bus there after which walked again to city taking a look at Posos Azul ( Blue Lakes) on the way in which. Then we spent the remainder of the arvo trying round city.
Villa de Leyva is a small city of solely 10,000 individuals. It has the biggest plaza in all of Colombia spanning 14,000m2. The bottom is made up
of medium dimension stones and has a small fountain within the center with no seats, garden or timber in it. Completely bear. It’s primarily used for occasions and festivals. If you wish to chill out , then go to Narino park the place you possibly can sit underneath a shady tree. There may be motels and hostels in every single place. The retailers are very fashionable and cater for the wealthy metropolis people. There may be very costly artefacts, eating places, and cafes. You would spend a while right here as the encircling villages all have one thing to supply and might be carried out in day journeys.
That evening sitting within the plaza having just a few drinks and a chat with 2 different Ausies and watching all of the locals doing their factor.
Bogota
Sat fifth Jan 2013
We left Villa de Leyva at 12 pm, again to Tunja after which onto Bogota. Arriving there at 4pm. From the terminal we received a taxi to Hostel Candelos within the La Candelaria area of town. Contemplating there’s 10 mil individuals in Bogota there wasn’t a lot visitors in any respect and particularly contemplating it was Saturday.
That weekend marked the celebrations for the three clever
males, and so they have a 4 day vacation. They are saying that lots of Bogotans go to the nation to have a good time this occasion and vacation.
Solar sixth Jan 2013.
At present we did a day journey to Zipaquira to take a look at the Cathedral Del Sal. We took a Transmelenio bus D95 (J95 again) from Las Aquas station till Calle19, then one other B93 (H93 again) to Portal del Norte all for $0.70c. Then we walked throughout the bridge and took one other collectivo bus to Zipaquira. Arriving there we then walked up the hill for about 15 min till you get to Catedral del sal. What an eye fixed opener. The cues for the entry tickets have been large, there will need to have been 1 / 4 of Bogota’s inhabitants there.
Cathedral Del Sal ( salt cathedral). The Roman Catholics constructed the Cathedral underground in an previous salt mine. The cathedral itself is 120 m lengthy 22m excessive and 200m beneath the bottom, and has an area of 5500 m2 with 6 primary columns inside. It may possibly match over 8000 individuals in it. There are 14 small chapels that lead of the principle tunnel earlier than you get to the Cathedral.
See
connected web site if you’d like extra information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Cathedral_of_Zipaquir%!C(MISSING)3%!A(MISSING)1
Mon seventh Jan 2013.
Bogota is 2600m above sea degree and has a cool local weather. I believe it’s time to go purchasing for some heat garments. Whereas within the quiet mall we relaxed and went to the flicks and noticed “The Unimaginable”. A narrative concerning the Tsunami that occurred in Asia in 2004.
That evening we took the Teleferico as much as Cerro de Monseratte which is at 3200m excessive mountain overlooking the entire metropolis. Bogota has round 10 mil individuals and is inbuilt a valley. You possibly can see the entire metropolis from the highest of the mountain. There we loved a stunning sundown and watched town mild up. There’s a church, eating places, resort and a market. It was completely freezing and the nice and cozy garments i had purchased weren’t working for me. As a result of it was nonetheless festive season the entire place on prime of te mountain and on the way in which up the mountain was coated in numerous design of xmas lights. it was a spectacular sight at evening. They have been in every single place and it was properly lit up. Your value contains having a alternative of going up
and down the mountain utilizing the cable automobile or the cable practice.
Tues eighth Jan 2013.
Okay time to see what else Bogota has to supply. We have been suppose to fulfill considered one of Bernies sofa browsing associates at present to indicate us the sights, however she cancelled this morning. So off we set on our personal. First visiting Plaza de Bolivar after which Museo del Oro ( gold museum). Adopted by different buildings of significance. We predict. We had avery quiet time in Bogata as 50%!o(MISSING)f the retailers have been shut. The transport wasn’t overcrowded, so for each of us that hate going to cities, it felt like we have been in a rustic city.
Salento
Wed ninth Jan 2013.
We left Bogota heading for Amenia by way of bus firm S26. Taking 8 hours driving round very giant valleys and over many mountains crammed with espresso and banana plantations. At current there’s lots of roadwork’s happening, constructing bridges and digging tunnels by means of the mountains to make a extra direct route. When it’s completed it ought to minimize the journey in half. The motive force was a really pleasant chap and saved telling us when good
sights have been arising for images. He additionally gave us some suggestions for different locations to go to. Lastly arriving in Amenia we switched to a different bus for Salento taking one other hour.
Getting dropped of on the fireplace station on the entrance to city, ourselves and one other Swedish couple began to stroll to Plantation Home the place we have been staying. I requested if that they had booked and so they stated sure on-line. I had additionally booked on-line. Once we received there the opposite couple went first and stated that they had a reservation. They have been advised that there wasn’t any rooms left and that they hadn’t confirmed the reserving. They weren’t completely satisfied, nevertheless the hostel did organise one other place for them to remain at. Costing $15 extra per evening greater than Plantation Home. Subsequent our flip. We have been sweating by now. Title please. Trevor I stated. Ah sure, your room is #11. Huge sigh,,,, fortunately I had confirmed our reserving on-line. First time ever.
After settling in we went for a stroll to test the city out. We have been advised that three doorways down this girl sells very scrumptious brownies, so Bernie needed to strive one.
Thur tenth Jan 2013.
Hike to Valle de Cocora. This may be carried out by way of strolling the 11 km or by taking a experience in a 1950 ish Willy’s jeep. We opted for hanging of the again of the jeep which left at 9.30 am. As soon as we arrived and received over the thrill we headed for the large blue gates, that’s the place we have been advised is the beginning. We began strolling, following and crossing the river by a number of scary bamboo and chainbridges for about an hour. Then we got here to a tee intersection. Turning proper and climbing uphill for about 1km to a Finca @ Reserva Acaime. In case you go there, there’s a $2 entry price, however you do get a free drink. We selected a sizzling chocolate with cheese. Chocolate was good, cheese one other story. From there we headed again the intersection after which went in direction of Finca La Montana. This was a really onerous steep climb uphill for about 800mtres. being unfit we needed to cease just a few instances to catch our breath. As soon as we arrived there the views are spectacular @ 2860 m above sea degree, You possibly can have lunch whereas admiring the view. We determined to maintain strolling for
a bit longer. From the finca head out the gate and it’s 4.5 km all downhill stroll again to Cocora. We walked by means of a pine plantation after which going round a nook you see these massively tall and straight Wax palms. That is the place we determined to have our picnic lunch. Consisting off salada biscuits, canned tuna and peanut butter. Earlier than you ask No no-one is pregnant. After lunch we walked extra and performed within the lush inexperienced grass underneath the wax palms and took many images. It’s so inexperienced and all of the grass mountains are filled with kikuyu grass. There are milking cows each the place you look. We have been stopping and sitting each 100 mtres because the views are spectacular. Lastly arriving again in Cocora at 4.30 pm and getting a jeep again to Salento.
That evening we had just a few beers in a bar known as ” Donde Mi Apa”. The proprietor allowed Bernie to go behind his bar to admire his assortment of over 9000 vinyl data which might be in cabinets in the back of the bar. Each is numbered and listed in a ebook. He has been amassing these for 20 years and
nonetheless performs them on an previous report participant. The bar additionally is stuffed with previous telephones, radios, and plenty of previous memorabilia. Price a glance if within the space.
Popayan
Fri eleventh Jan 2013.
Leaving Salento for hour journey again to Amenia. Ready within the bus cease for an hour earlier than setting of to Popayan 7 hours away. We drove previous a whole bunch of sugarcane plantations for about 100 km. Passing vehicles that have been towing 4 trailers of sugarcane behind them going to the sugar manufacturing facility.
Popayan is an enormous metropolis and a inhabitants of round 300,000. Each constructing within the centre a part of town and surrounding streets are painted white. There is not many aged buildings as a result of off an enormous earthquake in 1983, that flattened lots of buildings in 18 seconds. That afternoon we walked as much as the mirador to observe the sundown overlooking town. We have been solely staying in Popayan in a single day so we might break the lengthy journey from Salento to San Agustin. Staying at Hosteltrail.
San Agustin
Sat twelfth Jan 2013.
Leaving Popayan at 10 am for a tough 5 hour journey to San Agustin. This street
has lots of gravel, some concrete, and a few bitumen. They’re at the moment enhancing the street by widening and concreting the gravel sections. Finally it is going to be the principle move by means of the ranges, and once more ought to minimize the journey in half. We received dropped off 5 km from San Agustin, nevertheless they put you in a taxi @ there value to get you there. We stayed at Hostal Diosa Lunar, which is a household dwelling. They’ve a 3 story constructing with the highest flooring like a patio, full with 7 hammocks for chill out. It is vitally clear and really new. Beds are comfy and you’ve got sizzling water between 6- 9 am solely. Sure there a dorm on the third flooring. The one factor no kitchen, nevertheless, no want as eating places do have very low-cost meals. Humberto can even assist with any information or tour that you simply require.
Solar thirteenth Jan 2013.
We left at 9 am for a jeep tour, visiting archaeological and cultural sights.
#1 cease was El Strecho del Magdalena. That is the the place the river Magdalena cuts by means of a gorge solely 2 mtres huge and is 1400 metres above sea
degree. From right here it drops down and travels 140 km throughout Colombia to enter the Caribbean sea at Barranquilla.
#2 Go to the tombs at Obando. Right here you possibly can see 8 of the 30 tombs which were uncovered and go to the museum.
#3 Alto de Los Idolos. That is our first archaeological park cease. Right here we noticed many burial mounds and statues. One in every of them being the tallest discovered at 7m.
#4 lunch at a restaurant with magnificent valley and mountain views. 2 course lunch with a drink $4 ea.
#5 Drive by means of some deep valleys coated in sugarcane and fruit crops until you attain Salto de Bordones. This can be a waterfall that has a 350 m drop.
#6 Alto de Las Piedras. 2nd archaeological park with extra statues.
#7 Driving by means of the city of San Jose de Isnos and out to Salto del Mortino. One other waterfall with a drop of 180m in a skinny canyon.
Arriving again to city at 5.30 pm.
Mon 14th Jan 2013.
After breakfast we walked 3 km to Parque Arqueologico. It’s a 78 hectare park of statues, tombs and burial mounds. It took us
about 2 hours to stroll across the park taking a look at totally different statues and websites.
San Agustin is a small group of about 15,000. It depends closely on tourism and you may get hounded a bit right here. The one strategy to go to most sights is by a jeep tour or a horse tour. The archaeological park you get to by strolling uphill for about 4 km or get a bus.
Mocoa
Tue fifteenth Jan 2013
It took an hour to get to Pitalito from San Agustin by way of camioneta. After an hour wait within the terminal we headed for a 2 hour journey to Mocoa. Getting there at the back of a 4 wheel drive ute. Generally hanging the legs out to dangle. We have been driving over many valleys and mountains previous crops till lastly coming to jungle. Passing gasoline tanker after gasoline tanker and considering there should be an oil refinery round. Afterwards discovering out that they’ve found oil shut by Macoa, however they don’t have any pipes for pumping the cruid oil, so it’s carted to the refinery by vehicles.
Once we arrived we received a taxi to take us 3km out of city to
Hostel Del Rio. What a spot. Set proper alongside facet a river, the cabins are a small stroll into the banana plantation away from all the things. The reception, bar and kitchen is on the entrance of the property close to the river. Good place for a swim and simply to chill out. We went for a 3km stroll again into city for provides.
Wed sixteenth Jan 2013
We received a camioneta and headed in direction of Villagarzon, one other 5km previous the hostel. We received dropped of on the entrance to “Fin del Mundo” ( finish of the world). We crossed an previous, synthetic bridge and began to stroll into the jungle. After about 20 min we got here throughout a farm home the place you pay $1 and register earlier than you enter non-public land. From right here we walked up a mountain for about 1 hr till reaching the primary waterfall. It has a few 6m drop and you’ll soar or dive off it and swim. After a calm down we saved strolling for an additional 10 min and got here throughout the second waterfall. This time it had about 10-12m drop ,of which you can too dive and swim. Good tranquil place to chill out, nevertheless
we had a few 5 min stroll left till you attain “Fin del Mundo”. It actually takes your breath away. It has a few 100m drop and right here you can not swim. You get in your abdomen and wiggle up near the sting after which look down. What a rush. After a foto shoot and calming the nerves again down we went again to the second fall for some lunch, swim and chill out. They promote drinks and meals at this website so if you happen to do not need to deliver it with you, that’s okay. Leaving there about 3pm for an hour stroll again to the principle street and a elevate again to the hostel.
Thurs seventeenth Jan 2013
Simply one other a kind of days. At present we’re going to Las Lajas By way of the street that they name ” trampoline of demise”. After gettting up at 5am and having early breakfast we took a taxi into the bus station. We left Macoa at 7.15 am for the 4 hour journey. Travelling at the back of a ute once more. We have been about 40 min from city after we got here to a holt. Peering out the facet we seen we have been in
a visitors jam. There had been lots of rain the evening earlier than and we have been advised that there was a landslide, so we needed to watch for it to be cleared. As we waited 1 hour glided by, then 3 hours, lastly 5 hours later our driver determined it was time to return again to Macoa. After organising with them to strive once more at 6 am the following day we appeared for a resort room. We stayed at Lodge Macaya.
Las Lajas
Fri 18th Jan 2013
Take 2. off we go once more. This time we received by means of. WE now know why it’s known as the “trampoline of demise”. We have been bouncing round at the back of the ute like being on a trampoline. The demise half was: you undergo mountaines ranges with very tight corners, the place you see vehicles taking 3 -4 makes an attempt to get round them. The street could be very slender and lots of instances somebody has to reverse to let the opposite move. There may be instances the place you look out the facet to see 800m or so drops to the bottom of the valley. There may be many landslides and elements of
roads lacking. There may be many stream crossings. We drove for about 3 hours of climbing up and taking place quite a few valleys. What a scare but additionally an incredible expertise. Arriving on the bus terminal in Pasto at 11.30 and taking one other bus for two hours to Ipialas. From right here we took a taxi to Las Lajas.
Las Lajas is Colombias most visited church. It’s constructed into the facet of a canyon and all the way down to the rivers edge. For extra info go to web site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Lajas_Sanctuary
Sat nineteenth Jan 2013
Bye bye Colombia,off to Ecuador at present.
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