Time was spent in Hostels or local hotels and we ate at local places (not tourist places).
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Recap and Photos - Meinhard's
Time was spent in Hostels or local hotels and we ate at local places (not tourist places).
Monday, March 2, 2009
Bogota Monday February 2
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Salento Introduction to a new game called Techo - Helmut
In Salento we were introduced to a new game they call TECHO.
A halfmoon solid 5 inch disk is thrown against a target roughly 50 feet away. The target is a 4 feet by 4 feet plattform placed in an upward angle. The plattform is filled with clay. The game plays similar to horseshoe. Each of two to four players has one disk to throw. The target, instead of the stake in horseshoe, is throwing the disk into a square of the plattform. Two triangular shaped objects, each site measures 3 inches, are placed in the middle of the square, spread vertically about 4 inches apart.These objects are loaded with an explosive substance. If a player hits either of the two triangle objects, it will explode, sounding like a firecracker.
Scoring
1 point
Disk lands within the square
2 points
Disk lands, explodes and stays on top of one of the two triangular objects
3 points
Disk rests between the two triangular objects
6 points
Disk explodes one of the two triangular objects and rests between the two triangular objects.
21 points to win the game.
The losing team pays the winners a beer.
We tried the game and it was actually fun.
San Gil Rafting Saturday February 28
Typical Colombian Music… San Gil by Helmut
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Typical Colombian Music… San Gil
We returned to the plaza of San Gil late Friday afternoon and found in one corner of the plaza an unusual gathering that looked like a party was going on.
People had their drinks right on the walk ways, spilling over from the three liquor stores that were next to each other. We noticed that a group was about ready to play impromptu Colombian music. It did not take as long to get ourselves a drink to join the fun.
The music sounded really good. A Colombian next to me started to explain to me that this was the real Colombian music, played with a drum (of African origin), an accordion (of German origin), and a Colombian instrument called Guacharaca. The best way to describe it, picture a round cylinder form looking like a cheese grater that is struck with a steel brush creating a harmonic metallic sound. Finally, there was a singer to complete the quartett. The music had a firm beat. I was told that the song they played was titled ‘’Herencia”. He even gave me text of this song, unsolicited. ..
La plata es para gastarse en mujeres, bebida y parrandiando.
Si dejo una herencia es para que la familia célèbre.
Mi Herencia lyrics
Eres tú mi herencia, mi porción
Lo que había anhelado, lo mejor
Eres tú la parte que escogí
El mejor regalo que recibí
Eres tú mi complemento, mi mejor momento
Eres tú
Coro
Eres el mejor amigo que pude tener
En mi oscuridad vi tu amanecer
Volví a nacer
Es mejor estar un día junto a tu altar
Que toda una vida sin tu amistad
Y en otro lugar
Eres como el viento, como el sol
Has llenado todo lo que soy
Eres paz en medio del dolor
Eres melodía al corazón
Eres sombra en el desierto
Agua y alimento
Eres Tú
-----Rough English translation-----------------------------------
Are you my heritage, my portion
What was desired, the best
Are you the party that chose
The best gift I received
You're my complement, my best time
Eres tú
Coro
You're the best friend I could have
In my darkness I saw your sunrise
Born again
It's better to be a day with your altar
That a life without your friendship
And in another place
You're like the wind, like the sun
You have filled out everything I am
You are peace in the midst of pain
Eres ringtone andalusia heart
You're in the desert shade
Water and food
Thou
Friday, February 27, 2009
San Gil
Today we changed to a hostel across the street with a private room but not a private bathroom. A very nice place run by a local couple Click here.
Went to the park in San Gil and planning on rafting on Saturday, the #2 difficulty. On Monday back to Bogota. More about San Gil from Hosteltrail
San Gil is a great stop on the 'Bogota to the coast stretch' where you could happily spend a few days taking in the town and its surroundings. Within the town of San Gil itself, there are several worthwhile attractions. Parque El Gallineral is a beautiful spot by the river with an amazing variety of plantlife and the Colonial streets and the leafy plaza with it's beautiful cathedral should easily provide a couple of days entertainment.
San Gil's real treasures however, lie in the surrounding area. Fast becoming Colombia's adventure tourism capital, the rivers Fonce, Suarez and Chicamocha offer excellent adventure opportunities and the the surrounding area is dotted with caves, waterfalls and canyons waiting to be explored! For the true adventure seekers among us, there's also a number of 'extreme' activities on offer including bungee-jumping, caving, abseiling, paragliding and the most popular activity - white-water rafting.
The beauty of this area is that there's a wealth of things to do independently. The town of Barichara is less than an hour away and is a classic, colonial village well worth a visit and several treks to waterfalls and swimming holes can be made directly from San Gil.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Trip South from La Guajira toward San Gil
Trip to La Guajira and Cabo de la Vela
The town of Cabo de Vela.
Tayrona Park - The Boat Ride to Hell ...but a beautiful Park
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Taganga Saturday
Friday, February 20, 2009
Taganga Friday 20 February
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Taganga
Check out this place, it is $25 for a room for two.
Tucked into a sheltered bay between Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park, Taganga is a relaxed fishing village popular with backpackers due to its chilled atmosphere and cheap diving opportunities.
Little more than a beach dotted with fishing boats and a shore lined with hostels, restaurants and dive schools, this relaxed spot makes a nice break from the trail. http://hosteltrail.com
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Cartagena
Wednesday we decided to stay in town and go to the beach in Bocagrande, fresh fish right on the beah taste great. Will be here three nights then to Togonga to the beach.
This is no longer the Colombia we have seen in the South, what a change!
You are at the Caribbean and it shows, everything is even more colorful, poorer (what we see), and the poeple look and act different.
Our place: http://hosteltrail.com/hostalreal/
It looks MUCH MUCH better than it is, the hostel Casa Viena where we wanted to stay was full. Seija and specially Rocio would NOT stay here.
Cartagena is an unforgettable city which was once the main Spanish port in South America. Surrounded by a wall built to keep out pirates seeking native treasures snatched from the Indians to carry back to Spain, Cartagena looks every bit the part of the fairytale. Protected within the walls of the old city is a maze of cobbled streets and grand colonial houses as well as former slave markets, plazas and churches. It's exciting and colourful history is well documented not only through the sights of the town, but in the excellent museums in the old city. From: http://hosteltrail.com/colombia/cartagena/index.shtm
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Salento - Sunday
Today we try agaa trip to -
Cocora Valley Trek is a landscape of rolling green hills, traditional farms and diverse scenery. This is a great day trip which begins with a jeep ride to Cocora village (3,000 Pesos) where you set off on foot to visit Acaime nature park. This 2 hour section follows a forest trail winding uphill to the park where you can get refreshments and spend a while admiring the hummingbirds. From there, the best way to return is via Finca La Montaña which involves an initial one km uphill followed by a couple of hours on a good road winding through groves of Wax Palm Trees up to 60 metres tall. From: http://www.hosteltrail.com/colombia/salento/
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Trip to Silvia - Helmut
Silvia is the center of the Gumbiano Indian region. The Indians live in small mountain villages around Silvia. They wear colorful clothing and head covers .
On every Tuesday is Market Day in Sylvia, to which many of the Indians come me to Sylvia to market their hand made crafts and agricultural products.
The Indians travel to Silvia by Chiva bus. These unique buses are almost distinct. We came to see these buses in action. These buses where once Colombia{s main means of transport. The body of the bus is made almost entirely of wood, have benches across the bus. Each row of the bus is accessed from the outside. Each Chiva is painted artistically. No two Chivas look alike.Chiva bus
Cali visit - Helmut
We visited Rocio’s relatives in Califor 3 days. We had a very nice stay at Rocio’s cousin Esneda Canizales with her parents Fanni and Bertino. Her cousin and my cousin politico took his time to show us Cali and surroundings. What a change since I was there the last time over 20 years ago. The city has grown from 2 million to 4 million habitants, becoming the second largest city in Colombia. The street scene has changed: the big American cars are now virtually absent, replaced by small Asian cars and here and there a few American small cars. A metro is about to be operational. In a month it will run on dedicated lanes from one end to the other. Also, a lot of recreational activities are taking place; Primarily biking and running.
After a delicious lunch (we had trout…delightfull) in an outstanding restaurant, Humberto showed us his beautiful Finka (Ranch) where he has now cows and horses. Then we visited Candelaria, the village and house in which Rocio grew up.
Topping off a great day we had a barbecue at the home of Humberto with his wife Doris and their two daughters Viviana and Adriana. Unfortunately we missed their son Humberto Jr.
The next day we went together on a day trip to Salento, a small town about a four hour drive north of Cali. Salento, altitude in the 6000 feet range, is surrounded by deep green mountains. It is known for the “Palma de cera”, one of the highest species of palm trees in the world, and a national tree of Colombia. We went to the best place to see these palm covered hills: In the valley Cocora, about 6 miles from Salento.
A very big thank you goes to Rocio’s family for taking us in and for a great time.
Salento Saturday Morning February 14.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Silvia, Popayan Pictures and short notes
Nicknamed the White City, Popayan is a beautiful colonial town of white-washed houses and grand churches encircled by rolling green hills. Although the capital of the Cauca region and the former capital of Southern Colombia, Popayan somehow retains it's relaxed small town feel.
Silvia Indigenous Market - This beautiful Andean market town is absolutely bursting with colour and energy on Tuesdays. Guambiano Indians from the surrounding communities make their way into Silvia to sell their produce and socialise with friends from neighbouring towns.
Salento - When you imagine the Colombian coffee region, rolling green hills, sunlight glinting through the vegetation as you wind along the country roads - the real thing doesn't get much closer than Salento! Set amid a magnificent landscape lies this friendly and hardworking community of 10,000 formed mainly for the purpose of cultivating and processing some of the world's finest coffee.
Salento itself is a beautiful, Colonial-influenced town with lively multi-coloured buildings against a green, hilly backdrop. The large plaza with it's regular market and relaxed outdoor restaurants is a great place to sit back and soak up the atmosphere, but as nice as the town is, the real attractions lie in the surroundings.Check out more details at the HostelTrails WEB.
Popayan, the city with the white houses. Stayed here at Hosteltrail.
In Silvia at the Market on Tuesady morning. 1 Hour + ride from Popayan.
The native indian come to trade their goods and get dressed up.
Not many tourists here it is off the beaten path.
Not our Bus but one of the famous ones the locals use to get to market and back home. Everything goes in or on top including livestock.
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http://www.hosteltrail.com/plantationhouse/ check it out or more details.
In Salenta - the Coffe region, a beautiful city and surroundings.
Friday February 13, 2009. Here for 3 nights at the Plantation House.
Our Room and view from room.
Our room.
Our Bathroom, YES a first class set-up.
Helmut and relative Humberto drinking the fresh milk from the cow.
Thursday driving around Salenta, Helmut with Humberto.
Meinhard and Humberto outside Salento.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Helmut's Food
Pasto to Lake Laguna de la Coche by Helmut
Trip from Pasto to Lake Laguna de la Coche:
Trip Pasto to the lake Laguna de la Cocha (altitude 2400m, approximately 15km long with the island Isla Corrotal less than one hour ride easterly of Pasto.
Isla de la Cocha has a prestine jungle vegetation. I was amazed about that kina of vegetation in the high altitude. A walk through its jungle was like being in the Amazon jungle. It reminded me somewhat of the island “Mainau”, located in the
The travel book Lonely Planet calls it
Trip Pasto to Popayan by Helmut
Trip
One must see the panorama we enjoyed looking at throughout 200 plus miles trip.
Looking in any direction we could see never ending peaks and valleys with a lash green vegetation. There was not a 100 yard straight road, winding its way through the chiselled out
The most amazing part was that in spite of the high altitude, anywhere I looked, the slopes always reflected a deep green, whether is was on the hills or in the valley. The cows looked fat and happy, ready for being milked.
With ever changing altitudes, the vegetation was mostly fat green grass, mixed in with palm trees, banana trees, bamboo trees. There were countless other trees that I could not make out.
In sum, this 8 hour bus ride was a spectacular treat.
Popayan Monday February 9
Roads were paved and the scenery spectacular again over several mountain passes of 10,000 + feet.
Staying at Hoastaltrail one of the best Hostels so far, many private rooms and very clean in center of town. Owners are Scottish travelers that got stuck here, Hostaltrail web.
Check out their web pages of Colombia and other South American countries HOSTALTRAIL.
Explored the city this morning.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Pasto
Arriving in Macoa around 2:00 PM we decided to continue to Pasto, only another 140 miles but it takes 7 Hours driving as fast as possible. You don't want to start the drive in the evening and drive too long in the dark, because of the mountains. The bus was large a combination School Bus - Hummer. We had to get over two mountain passes. It is the highest we have ever been around 10,000 feet, and all on un-paved dirt roads most of them only for one vehicle and all switch-backs. Too many crosses on the side of the road. But the driver was very alert you can say like a good pilot, he probably drives in a higher altitude than Tim is flying his planes!
5 stops by Police and Military on the way 3 of them out of bus searches and one pass control. All for terrorists, I believe. Two young American kids from Denver were with us until Pasto.
Arriving in Pasto at 9:00 PM we headed to the center of town the Koala Hostel, had a 4 bed room the first night (last room available) and shared it with the two Americans, this night we are in a 3 bed private room with bath for $12 total for the two of us.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
San Augustin Day 4
Next day toke a full day trip by Jeep around the area visiting more tombs and stone figures, water fall and scenery. Stayed the evening at the Hostel and had dinner with others. Packing for the bus trip to Pasto.
Check out on the web San Augustine .
The largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America stands in a wild, spectacular landscape. Gods and mythical animals are skilfully represented in styles ranging from abstract to realist. These works of art display the creativity and imagination of a northern Andean culture that flourished from the 1st to the 8th century.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
San Augustin day 2
We arived one day early so we had to wait for our delux cabin with 2 beds and own bathroom, cost 18,000 pesos or $9 per person / day. Not very busy 2 Suisse, 1 Australian, 1 New Zealander, 1 English and 1 Dutch here right now. Beds are hard and almost on floor, roofs are out of grass and wood. An interesting place Seija would like it Bob would not go near it!
Had a nice ice cold shower this morning and a great breakfast (extra $2). Town is small 2,000 and not many tourists. Nice wether walked the town and explored some stores.
Tomorrow walk towards the statues and other sights.
After 3 more nights to Paso (6 hour bus ride?) for 2 days then Popayan 2 nights then Cali.
Monday, February 2, 2009
San Augustin
Monday we toke two busses (Vans) for 7 hours to San Augustin. A very nice place staying at the Finca El Maco Hostel, a Swiss owner.
Rooms are like huts you can see the stars, lots of fun.
Will stay 4 nights and make trips, no horseback for these old guys, too dangerous.
Actually horses in town doing work and for riding.
Great scenery on way the mountains but tough to enjoy with crazy drivers.
Slow connection here so no pictures.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Bogota - Sunday
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bogota the other days
Saturday morning January 31, 2009 - it is cloudy and a few rain drops we are on the way to the Gold Museum and the place to get chocolate and cheese (Ari´s recommendations) Florida Cafe. Also looking for a bus to go South so will make a stop at the bus depot, a very busy place.
At this time Helmut is re packing his backpack, could not find anything and discovered more strings, snaps and compartments. Suggestion: open the backpack before you use it and try all compartments
don´t just pack it!
Dinner time is difficult, many places serve big Lunch and close at 4:00PM.
Our hotel is very close to a large University, just like in the States there is a lot of drinking going on here and many places live of the students.
More about Saturday -went to the Gold Museum (great place).
The city center on Saturday.
Had a snack at Cafe Florida Cake (like Pulla) with cheese and hot chocolate (Ari´s recommendation). Picture below.
Then we had a great Colombian meal - Ajiaco Santafereno a soup with 3 types of potato's, chicken and much more (see picture below) at the restaurant La Pola (a Lonely Planet recommendation) was right next to our Hotel.
The soup!
The restaurant owner and several friends (one German) invited us to their table and we had a
lot to drink, we were the last ones in the restaurant (5:30PM) closing time. Picture below.
Sunday morning we will take a bus and be on the way to Melgar, Southern Colombia about a 5 Hour bus ride.