Graffiti has taken a complete turnaround in Bogotá. In 2011 graffiti was cracked down on, to the point that a 16-year-old artist, Diego Felipe Becerra was killed by the police. It caused an outcry, changed attitudes and a new tolerance for street art was born. Today, the authorities in Bogotá are hiring artists and it… Continue reading Bogotá Street Art
Callejón del Embudo and El Chorro de Quevedo
El Chorro de Quevedo is another square in La Candelaria neighbourhood, that is also significant to the history of Bogotá. Some historians say (although there are no documents to prove it) that it was in this square that Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada (the Spanish explorer and conquistador), tired of traveling from Santa Marta and after… Continue reading Callejón del Embudo and El Chorro de Quevedo
Monserrate
Monserrate is one of the main tourist landmarks of Bogotá. It is located at 10,341 feet above sea level and from its top you can see a panoramic view of Bogotá. However, Bogotá itself is 8,660 above sea level, so the mountain is only a climb of 1,681 feet. I read if you are in… Continue reading Monserrate
Bolívar Square
Bolívar Square is the main square in Bogotá and dates back to the pre-Colombian era, when the site was part of the Muisca Confederation. It is named after Simón Bolívar and has his statue in the square. Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader, who led the campaign for independence in 1808. He founded… Continue reading Bolívar Square
Hotel De La Opera
Now we are home and life is returning to normal, we are enjoying looking back at our photos and reminding ourselves of all the wonderful experiences we had in Colombia. It is going to take me ages to sort through all my pictures and you will be pleased to hear, I don't intend to post… Continue reading Hotel De La Opera
Day 12
Today we booked an optical extra tour to the National Aviary, which is one hour outside Cartagena. The Aviary has gone to great lengths to recreate the natural habitats of their birds, but designed it so that visitors can get up close and personal. The habitats of the rarer and endangered species are enclosed and… Continue reading Day 12
Day 11 – Cartagena
We started the day with a four hour walking tour of the old town in Cartagena. Cartagena was established in 1533 and the colonial era is visible all around you in the architecture of the old town. Catedral de Cartagena was built in 1576. Inquisition Palace, was used by the Inquisition as it's central command… Continue reading Day 11 – Cartagena
Day 10 – Tayrona to Cartagena
Today was another travel day. We were sad to leave Villa Maria, especially the hummingbirds! As you can imagine, I have rather a lot of pictures very similar to this! And I wasn't the only one doing this! We were picked up at 10am for the 5 hour drive to Cartagena. We were very pleased… Continue reading Day 10 – Tayrona to Cartagena
Day 9 – Tayrona National Park
We started today at 8am, with our guide Al. Tayrona National Park is huge. We went as far as the left speech bubble, Al Cabo. Our walk was very interesting. It was different from walking through a Canadian forest, to walk through a jungle, with so many new and different things to see - with… Continue reading Day 9 – Tayrona National Park
Day 8 – Bird Watching In Minca
We got up at 4.30am for our 5am pickup. We had about an hour’s drive to get to Minca, so we had to leave early to get there just before dawn. Minca is a small village of about 3,000 people in the mountainside and is “the” birding hotspot of Colombia. It is the launch point… Continue reading Day 8 – Bird Watching In Minca
Colombia Trip 2019 