Our World Wide Adventures

2006-06-05T11:37:00.000+01:00

Lauren & Ian

Surviving traveling as a couple

2006-06-04T19:48:00.000+01:00

Most single travellers we have meet have asked how Ian and I managed to travel together, particulary 24 x 7, and especially for so long. I am honest and tell them thats its all been too easy, actually. But some people just do no seem to understand this though, so I will explain more, and tell them what I think has helped. Like the following....we are older and wiser, so this probably helps with being patient, easy going and level headed. Both of us do not really get stressed and we do not take things too seriously. We know what is actually important and just what is not. We always had our own double rooms with bathroom, which meant that we had our own space, compared with having to share doom rooms with all kinds of interesting people. And we liked not rushing and taking things quite slowly, which meant that we did not get sick and tired of traveling. What can I say will be a good thing about stopping traveling. Well the only things I can think of is, not having to wear a money belt, and having a fridge and cupboards full of food that you can just go to anytime you want to eat something, instead of eating out all the time. But that is about it! I have loved traveling for the past 22 months. I have seen the most amazing places and met some wonderful people, that I hope our friendships will continue. Now, how do we manage to visit the rest of the world in our lifetimes?

What now you may ask?

2006-06-03T18:59:00.000+01:00

Our adventure is all but over with 4 days left, (after 22 months) as we fly back to the UK on the 1st of June 2006. What happens now, you may ask? Well my application to the new UK Social Work governing body has been processed in record time, which allows me to work back in the UK, which it very good news. Just need to wait for the Police Check. Have had interest from an old employer, so hopefully something comes from this, as I need work for 10 weeks, before we head to Australia for a Wedding and a visit in September. We plan on staying with Ians old house mate in London for the 3 months that we are there, and look forward to catching up with everyone.

Map of South America

2006-06-01T18:35:00.000+01:00

Back in Peru on the coast

2006-05-31T18:55:00.000+01:00

In Peru now after a 30 hour bus ride from Educador. After such a big bus journey, I figured I deserved a beer!!! So my month off alcohol, (thinking that may help lose the pounds for the Wedding we are going to when we arrive back in the UK) which has only been 2 weeks so far, has seen me come off the wagon. But only for this night. And my head was very cloudy the next morning. Stayed at a place called Ica, Luguna Hucacachina 4 hours south of Lima. The small place is surrounded by huge sand dunes, which has a lake in the middle. An Oasis. So sand boarding and dune buggies were on the agenda - which was the BEST fun. Somewhat scary though, as the buggies drove up and down very steep dunes. We visited the Museo Regional de Ica, which had a lot of mummies, skulls that had been reshaped deliberately over the years, and information on the Nazca lines. Now in Nazca, having done the lines this morning, in a 4 seater plane. Felt sick as a dog, and was eyeing off the sick bag (even after setting the alarm for 6am to take a high potency motion sick tablet that takes a couple of hours to kick in, and I was wearing my acupressure bands) but it was very interesting to see many different pictures, such as the monkey, spider, hands, tree, astronaut, whale and so on. The famous, enormous geoglphs and geometrical lines and shapes cover a huge area of the desert. The monkey is 90 mtrs high, and the wingspan of the condor is 130 mtrs. They were made by removing sun darkened stones from the desert surface to expose the light coloured stones below. We now have a 12 hour overnight bus to Tacna, which in on the Peru border with Chile, as we plan on spending a few nights in Arica, on the Chilean side. It apparently has some nice beaches, and we just want to top up the tans, so that everyone back in the UK can be extremely jealous. Please note : After the sand boarding Ians camera died (yes that his second camera that he has managed to wreck whilst we have been traveling), so unfortunately we are not able to post some photos of the Nazca lines yet (assuming that they work out alright anyway!)

2006-05-30T18:10:00.000+01:00

For a comparision, this was the steepist run, and there are people (just black dots) down the bottom of the dune. I did most of this one pratically sitting on my board because it was so steep!! My legs are still sore - 4 days later!

2006-05-30T18:08:00.000+01:00

Our sand buggy ride included sunset

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This is Ian finshing at the bottom of one dune - they just got steeper and steeper!!!!

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This is my first time sand boarding

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Overlooking the dunes

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Ready to go dune buggying - scary!

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Luguna Huacachina near Ica

Guayaquil is Ecuadors largest city

2006-05-29T23:32:00.000+01:00

Due to having to make our way down to Chile to fly back to the UK, after the Galapagos, we decided to have our return flight from the island, to the city of Guayaquil. Not many people have good things to say about the city. The waterfront however, has had loads of money injected into it, and it looks really nice. The road is called Malecon Simon Bolivar, and the waterfront has lots of walkways, gardens, features, some restaurants, cafes and fast food places, an IMAX, and some shopping hidden under the boardwalks. We only stayed the night, for the purpose of then getting a bus to Peru, the following day. We only saw this part of the city, and it was pleasant.

The Galapagos Archipelago - Ecuador

2006-05-28T22:40:00.000+01:00

The Galapagos Archipelago lies on the equator 1000 kms west of the Ecuadorian mainland. It consists of 13 major islands and many small ones. The scenery is barren and all volcanic. Some islands are inhabited. Charles Darwin visited in 1835 to study the wildlife, and his observations led him to his theory of evolution. Managed to get mates rates via a UK girl that we met in Vietnam (so that was long ago, and we only spent a couple of times with her, but she has kept in contact with Ian), and she has family on the Galapagos Islands. Check out this amazing boat - The Floreana, that we went on for 8 days!!!!!! The last of our big spends. Thank you Jaki!!! http://www.yatefloreana.com/ Our 8 day boat cruise was great, especially snorkeling with the sea lions. We got to visit many of the islands and see amazing animals, such as red and yellow land iguanas, marine iguanas, lava lizards, blue footed and nazca boobies (birds), Darwin finches, Hummingbirds, sea lion colonies, black tipped sharks, turtles, pelicans, frigate birds (that have a huge red expandable pouch below there beak), penguins, manta rays, flamingos and the wave albatross. And we got to know Karin and Lauren from Oz better, which was great fun (remember that we had already met them in Banos, and knew that we were on the same boat). Anything less in time on a boat, I would have found disappointing! It costs enough just to get there, let alone not to spend very much time. For example, the flight will cost around US$350 and then an automatic US$100 National Park entrance fee, then your boat is anywhere between US$500 and US$1500. And keep in mind that an 8 day cruise is really only 6 days, because you arrive early midday and do not do to much on the first day, and then the last day you are having breakfast at 6am, visiting the Charles Darwin Research Centre at 7.30am and finishing the tour at 9am. So imagine what it is like for the 4 day tours, that is really only 2 full days!!!! Ian went diving and loved it - with sea lions, huge turtles and hammerhead sharks, along with heaps of other animals. I do not dive at all. Tried it again in Thailand and did not like it at all! Probably actually preferred my first dive in Mexico more than the second. Ian likes the idea of returning to the Galapagos at some time and working as a Dive Master (no pay but usually accom. is thrown in), and funny enough over breakfast at the airport before we flew back to the mainland, I started talking to a woman who had set up a non for profit organisation working with the community on education and health issues. Sounded very interesting and right up my alley. The tourist visa is for 3 months, so we could return and volunteer our time. Who knows. First things first - UK for 3 months - Oz for 3 weeks, and then back to the UK to make more pounds. We then spent 5 nights on an island called Isabella, with Lynn and Anne off the boat - which you get to via a very bumpy 2 hr speed boat - and well worth it and very relaxing. It is a small fishing village. The streets around the town are sand. The major wants to change this, as a large runway is being built, and he wants to make the roads concrete! So better to visit there sooner than later. We will always remember Lynn (from the USA - who is friends with Jaki)for her amazingly funny stories and her infectious laugh!! On the main island of Santa Cruz the main population centre is called Puerto Ayora. We stayed for 2 nights and spent time with Jaki and her sister Linda. Linda has a cafe called Tintorera, which is definately worth a visit. The Charles Darwin Research Centre has a baby tortoise nursery and a walk in adult enclosure. It is quite large and interesting. Linda took us to her parnter, Jimmys family farm to see the cows, their large pet tortoise, to take a walk and cook us lunch. We had a great time meeting Linda, and having the opportunity to spend more time with Jaki.

2006-05-27T18:05:00.000+01:00

We met Jaki in Vietnam, and managed to get our boat trip through her.

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Jaki (UK) and Linda (sisters) in Lindas cafe in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, The Galapagos - called Tintorera

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What the Blue Footed Boobies are famous for!

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Ian playing with a sea lion

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Starfish

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Starfish

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Check out the brightness

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Morray Eel

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Karin and Lauren snorkeling

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Ian diving with White Tipped Sharks

2006-05-27T17:47:00.000+01:00

Sunset on Isabella Island

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Our final night with Lynn on Isabella Island

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Me with Frances and Jan (UK) and Lynn (USA), with the horses in the background

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This is how we will always remember Lynn - laughing. This is on our girls excursion to Volcano Negro, by horses, on Isabella Island

2006-05-27T17:44:00.001+01:00

The tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Centre and National Park

2006-05-27T17:44:00.000+01:00

A tortoise

2006-05-27T17:43:00.000+01:00

Karin, myself, Ian and Lauren after a dinner on board the boat. Does Ian look like he is abit mixed up with which Lauren he has got his arm around?

2006-05-27T17:42:00.000+01:00

Ian and Lauren (Oz) displaying our Iguana bread for dinner

2006-05-27T17:41:00.001+01:00

Ian dived 5 times off the boat. First with Jimmy, and then here with Fernando

2006-05-27T17:41:00.000+01:00

Ian collecting some postards meant for the UK, so that we can send them when we return. He has it in his head though that he wants to hand deliver them!

2006-05-27T17:40:00.000+01:00

Everyone at Post Office Bay on Floreana Island. We posted our postcards in the drum (without stamps), and other tourists pick them up, take them back to their/your country and send them for you. This has worked since the late 1800s that ships passing always check for mail.

2006-05-27T17:38:00.000+01:00

The Wave Albatross at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island

2006-05-27T17:36:00.000+01:00

Becoming friendly with the sea lion colony at Gardner Bay on Espanola Island

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Look at me everyone!

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A land iguana

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The Frigate bird with his pouch blown up, which is to attract the female birds. If the female likes his pouch, and the males waving wing dance, he has to pass the - how good is your nest building skills - test!

2006-05-27T17:31:00.001+01:00

A Blue Footed Boobie

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A Frigate bird (without its pouch inflated)

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Showing the captain Freddy my dance moves

2006-05-27T17:23:00.000+01:00

Lauren and Karin (from Sydney). They thought the boat was too quiet, so continually played their IPODS for our entertainment

2006-05-27T17:22:00.000+01:00

Some of the people off our boat. Our guide Morris is in the front on the left hand side

2006-05-27T17:21:00.000+01:00

Some Golden Rays in Mangrove Cove

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Our boat the Floreana

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Ian demonstrating an old lava flow on Isla Bartolome

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Large turtles

A place to chill called Banos

2006-05-26T23:00:00.000+01:00

Banos was a chilled out place that you could easily spend some time. Especially if you had just arrived and wanted to take some Spanish lessons, for example. We had 5 nights at the Hostal Plantas y Blanco. We partook in a couple of steam baths that they offered, where you sit in and have your head sticking out, and at 5 minute intervals we would have cold water poured over us. I was exhausted after the first one and needed an afternoon sleep! We hiked to a couple of miradors, not by the convential way (so it was harder) for great views over the city. Ian hired a motorbike and explored. We both had a massage - although my mud wrap on my stomach and back, and having to lie still for 2 hours, was far too much for my bladder and rather boring! Other activities that you can do - but we did not as it rained for a few days, are - thermal pools, waterfalls, more hiking, riding push bikes the 60 kms to the jungle in Puyo, or taking a night tour in a Chiva (bus) to see the active volcano - but we never had a clear night. What was funny though, we met 2 girls, Karin and Lauren, who were going to be on our Galapagos trip!

2006-05-26T17:17:00.000+01:00

Guess what they are cooking here? It is a type of pig, which is also a traditional dish in Peru

2006-05-26T17:16:00.000+01:00

The town of Banos

Land slide prevented Devils Nose train journey

2006-05-25T23:01:00.000+01:00

Rio Bamba is where the Nariz del Diablo - Devils Nose train starts from. It is famous for its switchback tracks and being able to sit on the roof of the carriage. Unfortunately it was not working when we went. So Ian and I enjoyed a Italian meal with Kate who we had met in Quito, and then she did some Reiki on us - very relaxing indeed!

The Capital - Quito

2006-04-30T23:03:00.000+01:00

In Quito we stayed for 5 nights at the Secret Garden Hostal. Although more expensive then we were used to, and you got stung by the 12% tax not only on top of the room price (which we were aware of) but also on all the food too, it did actually have a great atmosphere, beautiful top floor terrace overlooking the lights of the Old Town, really nice food for breakfast and dinners, and we got to meet heaps of travellers (that in hotels, we do not always get to do). Visiting the Basilica is a must, and climbing all the way up the clock tower. We took a day trip to climb Volcan Guayua Pichincha which is 4871 mtrs high. Unfortunately it was misty at the top and we were unable to see inside the 1km wide crater. But it was a good day out, and we managed to cross Rebeccas path once again (7th time in 8 months), so she came along. Visiting the Centre of the World - La Mitad del Mundo (not the other commericalised one, but the small one next door - where the actual correct equator line is, was really interesting. It does really work - if you pour water down a sink on either side of the equator it flows different directions and right on the line, it goes straight down. We did various different tests. I was a champ at balancing an egg on top of a nail - in quite good time - which meant Ian had to practice for ages, so that he could say that he did it as well!

2006-04-30T17:13:00.000+01:00

The group of us that went to the Volcano from the hostel in Quito

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Me and Rebecca at the top of Volcano Guagua Pichincha, near Quito

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Ian using a blow gun (of which I must point out that I managed to hit the target the first time!)

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My balancing of an egg on the end of a nail display - only 2 out of the 4 of us were able to do it!

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Watching the water down the drain on the southern side of the equator. This is Kate who then travelled with us to Rio Bamba

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Ian on the correct equator line, discovered by the technology of GPS!

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The incorrect equator line - determined by a Frenchman, but only out by approx. 240 mtrs!

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An arty shot from the hostel terrace overlooking the city lights

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The Basilica in the Old Town of Quito

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After climbing up the inside of the Basilica

Our first town in Ecuador called Otavalo

2006-04-26T23:04:00.000+01:00

Otavalo is reknown for its Saturday market. It is 95 kmns north of the capital of Quito. We managed to time it quite nicely, as we crossed the border from Colombia, to stay a night and walk around the HUGE market. Although interesting, the things being sold can also be found in Peru and Bolivia.

Ecuador - some info.

2006-04-24T22:51:00.000+01:00

Ecuador is the size of New Zealand and has some of the worlds most varied geography, due to the shifting tectonic plates, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It also has many more plant and animal species then much larger countries, due to the tropics. Ecuador has beaches, the Andean summits, the rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. The centre of the earth, being the equator, runs straight through the country. Since the year 2000, the US$ has been used as the countries economy. It is a poor country that exports its oil and bananas, and sees an unfair distribution of wealth. One example of this, is that the money made from tourism in the Galapagos, not a lot is put back into the islands and its growing communities.

History of Colombia

2006-04-16T23:40:00.000+01:00

Colombia was named after Christopher Colombus, although he never set foot on its soil. It was 1499 when it was discovered that the Indians had treaures of gold and stones, and it gave way to the myth of El Dorado, a mysterious kingdom abundant in gold. The Spaniards were obsessed with the myth, although they did not find anything. The Indians were believed to have a ritual of making offerings of gold into sacred waters, but also the Spaniards found very little in the lakes. It was in 1564 that a colony was formed, of indigenous communities, Spanish invaders and African slaves who worked the mines and plantations. It was actually during the 16th and 17th centuries that the African slaves surpassed the indigenous people in numbers. It was 1819 that Colombia won its independence, however, due to political currents in the 19th century the country experienced 8 Civil Wars, and in 1885 alone there were more than 50 anti government insurrections. In 1899 the Liberal revolt turned into a full blown civil war, with 100,000 dead as a result. Of course the USA became involved in 1903, taking advantage by creating an independent republic, which seems to have created relative peace until 1948 when the struggle between the Liberals and Conservatives broke out - La Violencia - with a death toll this time of 300,000. It was one of the bloodest conflicts in the western hemisphere, comparable only to the Mexican Revolution and the American Revolutionery War. In the 40s and 50s there was generations of hatred and mistrust against an opposing political party that the rapes and murders, particularly in the rural areas began. And some groups of Liberal Guerillas began to demonstrate a dangerous degree of independence. It was 1953 when both policital parties supported a military coup to retain power and pacify the countryside. It was the only military intervention the country had experienced in the 20th century. The 2 leaders signed a pact to share power for the next 16 years, alternating the presidency every 4 years. This however repressed any political voice of the people, and there was the emergence of perhaps a dozen different guerilla groups, each with their own ideology and political and military stategy. You may have heard of FARC, ELN and M-19. The FARC was founded in 1964 as a military wing of the Communist Party, being pro Soviet. ELN was founded the following year by urban intellectuals inspired by Fidel Castros communist revolution, orginally pro-Cuban, but later became a hardline Christian Marxist group headed by former Spanish priests. Originally supported by Moscow and Havana they both relied on extortion, robbery and kidnapping to finance their struggle. Heavily involved in drug production and trading, they have largely lost their ideological and political goals. In 2002 the USA and EU included them on their list of terrorist organisations. Colombia is the worlds largest producer of Cocaine, controlling 80% of the global market. The 80s were the boom years led by Pablo Escobar. He was elected to congress in 1982, and by 1983 he was estimated worth was US$2 billion, making in one of the richest criminals. In the same year the government launched a campaign against the drug trade. The cartel bosses offered to pay Colombias entire foreign debt - US$13 billion. But when it was turned down a war broke out in 1989, with the cartel responding violently. While the government tried to catch an escaped Escobar, other drug cartels managed to diversify into opium, poppies and heroin. In 1995 the cartels largely dismantled. In 1998 the Independent Conservative government gave the FARC a 42,000 sq km demilitarised zone the size of Switzerland. But when they tried to reclaim it again in 2002, the FARC was well established. The current President Alvaro Uribe is an Independent hardliner. In 1983 his father was assassinated by the FARC, he has survived 15 assassination attempts on his own life, before his post, including 3 serious attempts during his actual presidential campaign. He is strong anti guerilla! NOW: There is heavy military presense on the roads, with check points at least every 5 kms. A lot look quite young and they carry huge guns. The guerillas have been pushed into the deep jungle of the east. However the military are not large enough, so there is a private para-military that helps keep order. However they have been likened to the guerillas at times. We heard though that farmers are willing to give the para-military money to protect them. We did not have any problems, we did not have our bags searched at all, and our buses were only stopped on a couple of occasions to check IDs. However the military will randomly stop cars and vechiles to search and check IDs. There seems to have been big changes since the current president was elected.

Heading down the west side of Colombia

2006-04-12T20:25:00.000+01:00

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia. Apart from a quick look around the centre of the city and the Artist Boteros robust sculptures in public view, it rained, so we spent most of our time at the really good set up Black Sheep Hostal - run by a Kiwi. On recommendation we then stayed out of the city of Pereira at Finca Villa Maria (finca meaning farm), that grew coffee and bananas. Unfortunately there we no other guests at the time, as the staff were abit scared of talking to us with our limited Spanish. But the place was beautiful, loads of plants and flowers that attracted the birds, especially Hummingbirds, and a baby tucan. We spent much time by the pool, and taking a walk in the hillside. The city of Armenia has Parque Nacional Cafe, which is a coffee theme park, which houses a museum, amusement rides, and a day full of activities. It was the Easter weekend that we went, so we were not prepared to stand in the huge lines to get on any of the rides. It was still an enjoyable thing to do though. We also visited Valle de Cocora where the wax palm trees are found (best place in the world apparently). They are able to grow above 2500 metres in altitude, grow up to 60 metres, and have a life span of 200 years. The town of Cali is famous for its beautiful women, sport and salsa music. It is the 3rd largest city in the country. We visited the Museo Arqueological Le Merced, which was a former convent. We also took in the popular Juan Chitos nightclub, and danced until 6am. Now that hardly ever happends. Being the only Westerners we created some attention. Popayan is one of Colombias most beautiful colonial cities. Due to the Easter weekend, there were parades of tiny children dressed in costume carrying the 12 stations of the cross, through the streets. Very cute! It is from here that you can visit both San Agustin and Tierradentro, two very important archaelogical sites, for statues and underground burial chambers. We were lazy and decided not to visit them. The 5 odd hours and dirt roads did have a lot to do with putting us off the once enthusiastic idea. We stopped in the city of Pasto to visit the volcano and lake. Well the Volcan Galera at 4267 mtrs is currently active, so we were unable to climb it, and I was unwell, so Ian went to the Laguna la Cocha on his own. He did a boat trip to the island, and thought it would be one of those lovely, quiet places to stay for a few days, but is not mentioned in the book, so you would not think of doing any more than a day trip. At the border crossing town of Ipiales there is a beautiful church to see. Santuario de las Lajas is a neo-gothic church built on a bridge spanning a deep gorge over a river. It was erected to commenorate the appearance of the virgen in the 18th century. The back of the inside of the church is the rock wall, there are loads of plagues along the alley stating miracles that have happened to people, and old and used crutches and braces that have been left. Quite spectacular. It is literally the only thing to do in the town, so we did this on our way through to Ecuador.

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More examples of Artist Botero work, in Medellin. This bird was destroyed by a bomb. So they left it there and put up another one.

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An example of Artist Botero work, in Medellin

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Going for our walk amongst the coffee plantation

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The farms pool

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The Coffee Farm. Relaxing in the hammock

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The Coffee National Park. Ian scaling the climbing wall

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The Wax Palm trees

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Easter Weekend Military road safety talk on our bus

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The Easter (Semana Santa - Holy Week) parade in Popayan

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The church near the border town of Ipiales

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The many miracles have been noted here

The Amazing Colombian Hospitality

2006-03-25T22:41:00.000Z

ONE: At our hotel in Barichara we met a Colombian guy Richie, his American wife Annie, and their American friends who were holidaying and paragliding around the mountains. Richy invited us to his farm 4 hrs further north, which we stayed at for one night. Not a farm though. 5+ acres overlooking a great view and a fantastic house that accommodated 9 of us last night. The maid came to clean and cook us breakfast. They were lovely. TWO: Now we are getting a lift with Juan Carlos - the friend / architect that is designing Richie and Annies new house, and who stayed up to the very early hours of this morning drinking with Ian - all the way to the coast of Santa Marta, which is about 9 hours away. He is going on a working holiday. It was either this or an overnight bus. So we are taking a couple days and sharing the petrol costs. Great spending time with locals, as we are getting great tips on things to see and do, and learning more about the country. THREE: In Armenia we went to find the largest wax palm trees in the world. Had to take a bus for an hour and then walked most of the 10 kms until we got a lift from Marcos and his sister, who live in Armenia. He then drove us back, all the way to the city, invited us to his house for coffee, and then we cooked dinner together. He had some little English, but we practised our Spanish heaps, and it was really the first time that I have practised my Spanish over and above the regular sentences that I know about myself, family, travelling etc, and had to try and put together new sentences - hard, a little frustrating, but good for me. This is the 3rd time in Colombia that we have come across such amazing hospitality!

2006-03-24T01:10:00.000Z

Dinner at Marcos house in Armenia, after we visited the wax palm trees

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Where Richie and Annie will be building their new house. What a view!

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Juan Carlos drove us the 9 hours to get to the Caribbean coast of Santa Marta

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Richie and Annie invited us to their house to stay the night

Carribean Coast of Colombia

2006-03-17T23:20:00.000Z

Arrived safe and sound in Santa Marta 2 nights ago, (stayed the first night at a friend of the guy who drove us here, so accommodating, we had a maid cook us breakfast the next morning, and now we are in a small town on the beach called Taganga, near Santa Marta (5kms), on the north coast of Colombia, on the Carribean sea! It is a small lfishing village. We are ready for the sun, sea and sand and of course seafood, and Ian is off diving tomorrow. Saw Rebecca this morning and she is off to learn how to scube dive for a couple of nights, so will see her then. Will be staying at the same hostel. We are on the top floor overlooking the sea, and have a hammock outside our door. Only paying 36 pesos, which is GBP4.50 each. It is basic but clean and nice, and the food at the attached restaurant is lovely. A number of Australians here, and most people have ended up staying a lot longer than first planned. Last night we met an 81 year old woman from Canada, who has been living in Mexico for 31 years, and she is travelling around on her own, independantly! She was talking about taking overnight buses and all. She was leaving today so gave us her specific Colombia guide book, which was great because we have one for all of Sth America, it can be abit light on information. We keep meeting all these old people travelling who hardly look their actual age. My theory is that this is because they are still travelling loads! Just stayed for 3 nights in Tayrona National Park (still on the north coast). It is set on the jungle covered coast, with some sandy beaches, set in deep bays. Slept in hammocks, which were only GBP1.50 each a night. Very relaxing. Sunbathed, swam and read. Also walked inland and uphill to Pueblito, which is an archaelogical remain of a pre-Hispanic town, where you can see the foundations of houses and stone paths. One of the largest pre-Colombian towns discovered in the Americas is Cuidad Perdida - The Lost City. It was built by the Tayrona Indians on the northern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. During the Conquest, the Spaniards wiped out the Tayronas and their settlements disappeared without a trace under lush tropical vegetation. It was not discovered until 4 centuries later, until 1975. It is at an altitude of between 950 mtrs and 1300 mtrs, and there are 150 terraces, most of which served as foundations for the houses. After much consideration we decided not to take the 6 day hike to see the Lost City, merely because it took that long, and we wanted to be able to explore as much as Colombia as we could in 7 weeks. Some of you may remember the kidnapping of 15 tourists from this trek 2 years ago, where a young British lad ended up escaping, and then some time later, they were all released. Apparently now the trek is considered safe. Ian had some trouble with his teeth whilst scuba diving, so he ended up having heaps of work over 4 days, including some root canals, in our next coastal town of Cartagena. We stayed in the walled part of the old town, and spent many nights at the San Pedro restaurant, spending more than we should, but one of these times was for Katies (UK) Birthday, who we had met in Taganga. We visited the Museo Fortification and learnt about the town being a strong hold for treasures, the development of the walled city, and about the pirates who successfully and unsuccessfully penetrated the city walls. One of these pirates was the Englishman Sir Francis Drake, on orders from the Queen. So does this make him a pirate, because this is certainly not what he is remembered for! We spent 5 nights on Playa Blanca(beach), in hammocks again, which was actually better than staying in the city. It is really remote and basic, only reachable via boat (or bus, boat and motorbike - which is how we got there initially). Highly recommended. We stayed at a backpackers called Wittenburgs, run by a French man. Ate lots of fish and fried bananas, and swam, sunbathed and read. It was great!

2006-03-16T01:02:00.000Z

Ian having a foot rub at Playa Blanca

2006-03-15T01:03:00.000Z

A night out in Cartagena. From the right and clockwise, Ian and myself, Katie (UK) - her birthday and Adrian (Oz).

2006-03-15T01:01:00.000Z

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. Built in 1657 these defensive walls have underground tunnels and galleries.

2006-03-14T01:00:00.000Z

The beautiful view from our room in Taganga

2006-03-14T00:59:00.000Z

Tayrona N.P. finding the archeological remains of a pre-hispanic village

2006-03-14T00:58:00.000Z

Tayrona National Park. We slept in hammocks under the buildings on the left

2006-03-14T00:57:00.001Z

Ian experiencing the local seafood treat from the street vendors in Santa Marta

2006-03-14T00:57:00.000Z

The fishing village of Taganga

Some Colonial towns in Colombia on the east

2006-03-13T23:23:00.000Z

Villa de Layva which is 4 hours north of Bogota, is a trendy weekend retreat for Bogota people. It is a small colonial town untouched by the 20th century. We have been making our way up north from the capital of Bogota, stopping in a few colonial towns - cobble stones and white washed houses. El Fossil is a museum with a reasonably complete fosil of a baby kronosauras - a 120 million year old prehistoric marine reptile, vaguely resembling a crocodile, of 7 mtrs in length. We also visited Casa Museo de Luis Alberto Acana, where this painter, sculpture, writer and historian lived the last 15 years of his life, and featured his works. The other place we visited was El Infiernito, which had cylindrical stone monoliths sunk vertically into the ground, dating back to the early centuries AD. The Indians were able to measure the length of the shadow and determine the season of the year, and therefore, be able to plan their agricultural needs accordingly. Another colonial town further north is Barichara, set amid hills on the rim of a canyon. We walked downhill along an old Spanish trial to the small town of Guane, and visited the fosil museum. Thankfully we managed to get rides on motorbikes for the return trip, as it would have been a long and sweaty uphill climb.

2006-03-13T00:53:00.000Z

Monoliths - somewhat falic

2006-03-13T00:52:00.000Z

The pre-historic marine reptile

2006-03-13T00:51:00.000Z

The Colonial town of Villa de Layva

2006-03-13T00:48:00.000Z

Ian in the Colonial town of Barichara

Bogota - Colombia

2006-03-07T18:43:00.000Z

We took a boat journey from Peru to the Colombian town of Leticia, also in the jungle. It took about 9 hours and was uneventful, apart from some military bombing exercises on the river, that held us up for a little while. Ian had a bad tummy here, so we did not venture far. Being the wet season it did rain for some part of each day, and was extremely hot. Being the furthest town south in Colombia, the only way out of the jungle is to fly. We flew to the capital of Bogota. We spent some time in the capital of Bogota seeing the Gold Museum, which holds more than 34,000 gold pieces from all the major pre-Hispanic cultures, Santa Clara Church Museum, whose walls are totally covered by large framed paintings, and the Donacion Botero Art Museum. Botero is a famous Colombian painter and sculpture, who specialises in large robust people. This museum also had some rather interesting paintings of Picasso - of which I would not have passed Year 12 Art by copying him! Who decides what art is actually good!! Cerro de Monserrate is 3160 mtrs and overlooks the city. It is a mecca for pilgrims who visit the statue of the fallen christ, dating from the 1650s, and to which many miracles have been contributed. Bogota is about the same size as London. Felt alittle dodgy at night so did not venture far, or just took a taxi. Zona Rosa was the night spot, so we had a night at the Irish Bar. Heading north via the salt mines in a town called Zipaquira, we visited the Salt Cathedral, which is found in the heart of the mountain, underground. It is 75 mtrs long, 18 mtrs high and can accommodate 8400 people. It was really interesting.

2006-03-06T00:51:00.000Z

The Salt Cathedral