We arrived in Bogotá after midnight and were initially a little apprehensive. Back home when we hear of Bogotá it's often in the context of muggings, drugs, shootings, machettes etc etc, and the city is going through some interesting times politically. Over the course of our stay we continued to be cautious but felt increasingly safe (seeing policeman and security guards on almost every block certainly helped).
We stayed in the historic La Candelaria region, and on our first full day took full advantage by wandering through its cobblestone streets and visiting the many museums and government buildings nearby. In Bogotá's main square, we took the ultimate tourist photo (one that we think rivals the holding up the leaning tower of Pisa scene for corniness) - sitting on a llama wearing a Colombian scarf and sombrero (see below picture). At sunset we rode a cable car up Monserrate mountain to take in a breathtaking view (literally, given the place is a kilometer higher than the highest mountain in Australia) which showcased the size and topography of the city.
We stayed in the historic La Candelaria region, and on our first full day took full advantage by wandering through its cobblestone streets and visiting the many museums and government buildings nearby. In Bogotá's main square, we took the ultimate tourist photo (one that we think rivals the holding up the leaning tower of Pisa scene for corniness) - sitting on a llama wearing a Colombian scarf and sombrero (see below picture). At sunset we rode a cable car up Monserrate mountain to take in a breathtaking view (literally, given the place is a kilometer higher than the highest mountain in Australia) which showcased the size and topography of the city.
For our second day we booked a day trip expecting to be herded around on a massive bus but ended up getting a private tour of the famous Catedral de Sal, the nearby town of Zipaquirá, Lake Guatavita and the green farmlands surrounding Bogotá. We particularly enjoyed the company of our cheuffuer, a very kind Colombian man with an interesting, although very unfortunate, backstory.
At this stage, we're still a bit disorientated on the roads - in the last month we've gone from Australia where they drive on the left, to the States where they drive on the right and then to Colombia where it seems they drive on the left, right and centre. We´ve learnt that in Colombia the speed limit is governed by engine capacity rather than law (generally faster downhill than up, particularly if you drive a tuk tuk and have a 6 foot aussie bloke in the back).
Yesterday we went for a 5 hour bike tour of Bogotá, visiting parks, historic buildings, universities, a bull fighting ring, a coffee brewing house, a fruit market, a red light district, and many sites where Colombian politicians took their last steps (and bullets). The tour allowed us to see parts of the city we wouldn´t have got to otherwise, either because we would have run out of time or because we wouldn't have been brave enough to go by ourselves. Although we didn´t set a cracking pace on the bikes, with a base altitude of 2600 metres, we certainly felt like we got some good exercise out of the tour.
At the start of the trip we agreed we wouldn't be buying any bulky or heavy souvenirs. Less than a week into the trip we found what we thought was a worthy exception to that rule, a beautiful hand painted clay model depicting a La Candelaria street scape. Hopefully we still like it as much after 6 months of lugging it around.
It's currently 4pm and we're siting at the airport still a little under weather from last night. We had dinner and more than a few drinks at the highly recommended Andres Carne de Res, which is famous for its steaks, entertainment and atmosphere. The venue more than met our lofty expectations. The only downside was the bill. Bogota is divided into 6 zones by wealth, and although stayed in zone 3, Andres de Res sits in zone 6 perched on top of malls filled with designer brands and people with more money than they know what to do with. For us it was interesting to travel through the various zones and visit a first world oasis in such a big third world city.
Maybe it's the hangover, but Sam is obviously looking as white as ever. At the check-in desk, while fumbling to retrieve his passport and itinerary, the airline staffer guessed that we were the McLeods.
In half an hour we will fly to Quito and then (all going well) catch an overnight bus into the Ecuadorian Amazon. We´ll be off the grid for a few days but will check in when we return to civilisation late next week.
At this stage, we're still a bit disorientated on the roads - in the last month we've gone from Australia where they drive on the left, to the States where they drive on the right and then to Colombia where it seems they drive on the left, right and centre. We´ve learnt that in Colombia the speed limit is governed by engine capacity rather than law (generally faster downhill than up, particularly if you drive a tuk tuk and have a 6 foot aussie bloke in the back).
Yesterday we went for a 5 hour bike tour of Bogotá, visiting parks, historic buildings, universities, a bull fighting ring, a coffee brewing house, a fruit market, a red light district, and many sites where Colombian politicians took their last steps (and bullets). The tour allowed us to see parts of the city we wouldn´t have got to otherwise, either because we would have run out of time or because we wouldn't have been brave enough to go by ourselves. Although we didn´t set a cracking pace on the bikes, with a base altitude of 2600 metres, we certainly felt like we got some good exercise out of the tour.
At the start of the trip we agreed we wouldn't be buying any bulky or heavy souvenirs. Less than a week into the trip we found what we thought was a worthy exception to that rule, a beautiful hand painted clay model depicting a La Candelaria street scape. Hopefully we still like it as much after 6 months of lugging it around.
It's currently 4pm and we're siting at the airport still a little under weather from last night. We had dinner and more than a few drinks at the highly recommended Andres Carne de Res, which is famous for its steaks, entertainment and atmosphere. The venue more than met our lofty expectations. The only downside was the bill. Bogota is divided into 6 zones by wealth, and although stayed in zone 3, Andres de Res sits in zone 6 perched on top of malls filled with designer brands and people with more money than they know what to do with. For us it was interesting to travel through the various zones and visit a first world oasis in such a big third world city.
Maybe it's the hangover, but Sam is obviously looking as white as ever. At the check-in desk, while fumbling to retrieve his passport and itinerary, the airline staffer guessed that we were the McLeods.
In half an hour we will fly to Quito and then (all going well) catch an overnight bus into the Ecuadorian Amazon. We´ll be off the grid for a few days but will check in when we return to civilisation late next week.
