Leading source of the world‘s emeralds ( supplies about 70%) and renowned for the coffee world’s second richest biodiversity, lush highlands, and tropical seaside resort – the energy and liveliness of locals underscores why Columbia is known as the land of the the rhythm.
Landed in Bogota first day was sheer jet lag and will be ending the trip in Bogota so will leave the best for the last.
Zipaquirá Cathedral – A Mine Of Light and Salt
Beautifully carved in Salt, this monument is unique in that it is 180 meters underground and the cathedral is broken up into 14 small chapels connected by tunnels. Each chapel represents the stations of the cross, or Jesus Christ’s last journey before crucifixion. There are spots to kneel and pray at each station.
Each chapel illustrates an event of Jesus’ last journey and is a creative interpretation of the architect.
Artist’s interpretation of Jesus in the centre, two women on the side
All carvings in rock salt
At the bottom, the cathedral opens up to reveal 3 naves representing birth life and death of Christ
Tree of life carved in rock salt
We drove to Villa de Leyva, a touristic colonial town which has preserved much of its original colonial style and architecture: the streets and large central plaza are still paved with cobblestones.
Just outside this lovely town where time stands still is Casa Terra-cotta Designed by architect Octavio Mendoza Morales. this 500 square metre structure is believed to be the largest work of pottery in the world. It’s A fully functioning home where the architect and his family once lived.
It is fascinating to wander through the house and marvel at all the curious and quirky elements, like its strange shapes, textures and furnishings.
Afternoon visited handicrafts village Raquira and shopped till I dropped
The Tatacoa Desert in central Colombian is a popular draw for the surreal desert landscapes, incredible stargazing, and sense of isolation.
The Tatacoa Desert has two distinctive colors: ocher in the area of Cuzco and gray in the Los Hoyos area.
The area is heavily eroded and made up of canyons-shapes are created on clay surfaces, creating labyrinthine gullies in the landscape that can reach 20 meters deep.
The fauna and flora make this place distinct and different from the previous canyons I have seen. Take a look.
Almost like a picture postcard
San Agustín Archaeological Parks one of Colombia’s most important archaeological sites, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It the largest collection of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures. Ancient ceremonial and burial sites are scattered over an area of roughly 250-square-miles. There are 600 known statues and at least 40 monumental burial mounds dispersed throughout
The details of the civilization which abounded here remains a mystery. the earliest remnants of their culture date back to 3300 BC, and these archaeological sites were abandoned around 1350 AD
The pits in the foreground are burial sites. Burials included pots pans food and pots with gold for the next life
We have a cozy group of 4 – with our tour and local guides.
One of the most important sites of San Agustín Archaeological Park is the Ceremonial Lavapatas fountain. This is a set of carved rocks on the bed of the creek . The channels that carry water up to three ponds are silhouettes of snakes and lizards. It is estimated that this fountain may have been related to cults , religious rites and birthing.
Looks like a skull complete with eyes, nose , teeth and chin.
Santiago de Calior Cali, is the third largest city of Colombia.
Famous for their obsession with salsa, Cali is considered the salsa Capital, dancing to the rhythm of these infectious beats is a way of life. Cali became the drug capital after Escobar’s shootout death around 1992-1998, and had its heydays. The Rodríguez brothers virtually ruled the city and controlled Colombia. Stories of their extravagance s bound. Ala Narcos season 3. City has unfortunately not recovered, high unemployment, poverty and now Venezuelan refugees compound city problems.
Known for its Gothic style, La Ermita Church is the quintessential postcard image of Cali
Street art/ graffiti in Colombia , is fast becoming world-famous for its quality, diversity and the fact that it is legal in many parts of Colombia.
Common topics include social commentary, historical characters, cultural heritage, and a reflection about how we relate to nature in modern times. Did a walking tour in Cali.
Gabriel García Márquez won Nobel prize for literature
Social messages against domestic violence. Abused women being sowm back and repaired in a sense. Touching!!!
Social leaders who were killed in the past couple of years
The highlight of Cali and my trip so far was our visit to a salsa club. Just amazing to see 100 couples swaying harmoniously absolute fluent body movement very graceful to watch. Loved every bit of my time at the club
Hopelessly trying!!!!
Has become my favourite juice cross between strawberry and blackberry
Lulo favourite combination of lime and rhubarb
Next was Tairona a relatively unknown nature reserve in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains . The landscape is lush and tropical, you reach the eco lodge after a 10-15 minute boat ride in the San Diego river as mountains rise up overhead.
The ancient Tayrona civilisation once lived here and the ruins of their settlements remain to this day, with houses arranged around terraced stone circles according to social hierarchy. There’s also a reconstructed Tayrona home and a small and informative museum.
Very lush and green
Concentriccircles on which the indigenous tribe of Indians built their home
Eco hotel where we spent night
The foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the highest coastal mountain in the world, plunge into the sea forming beautiful bays and coves with their sandy white beaches surrounded by mangrove swamps, bushes and forests. This is Tayrona National Park.
Total hike depending on which beach you go to is between about 4 hours . Did half on horseback
Cartagena is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a historic city of superbly preserved beauty lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls. Cartagena’s Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site – a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and lovely boutiquey shops displaying most beautiful artifacts which mostly the pocket shuns from!!!
It’s one of finest examples of preserved colonial architecture in the Americas, packed with churches, monasteries, plazas, palaces and mansions . Loved it my favourite city so far wish had an extra day
Clock Tower
The Walls of Cartagena, to defend the city from possible pirate attacks, from which you can watch the sunset over the Caribbean Sea.
Blistering hot in the middle of the day in the middle of the road
Every city in Colombia has a Simón Bolívar square. Simón was a Venezuelan military and political leader who led the independence of what are currently Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama from the Spanish Empire.
Palanquera women a national icon of Columbia make money from posing for curious tourists
This lane residents decided to decorate on their own . They seek voluntary contributions from tourists
Right across from my hotel, Our cute boutique hotel
Courful bar
Medellín is Colombia’s second largest city and is nestled in a Valley of the Andes Mountains
Once considered one of the deadliest cities in the world,( thanks mainly to Pablo Escobar)Medellín has undergone a transformation over the last fifteen years. even today quite violent in parts , is considered HQ of para military who according to some have killed 4 X that of the guerillas.
Plaza Botero – Botero is a famous artist from Medellin known for his drawing and statues of oversized people. This plaza is home to 23 Botero sculptures
Comuna 13
This area was once considered one of the most violent parts of World: was a pivotal center for paramilitary, guerrilla, and gang activity. Its geographical location close to highway became ideal for crime providing easy transportation of guns, drugs, and money.
Two govt operations complete with Over 1,000 policemen, soldiers, and aircrew in helicopters attacked the area (comprising of roughly 100,000 inhabitants) . The situation is still tenuous but better a tourist stop with many tours
The focal point of a trip to the comuna is the area around the escaleras electricas, the outdoor escalators that provide access to homes that were formerly isolated from the city below
Late evening view
Very unique creative street art power of govt depicted by hand throwing dice dates of two operations toppling the entire neighborhood
Guatapé
Guatapé is located in the outskirts of Medellín, bordering a reservoir created by the Colombian government for a hydro-electric dam.
Town of Guatapé is considered the most colorful town in Colombia.
Each house/ building has tiles along the facade’s lower walls in bright colors and dimensioned images. Many of the tiles are tied to the products sold by the shops, or the cultural/ religious beliefs of the house owner.
The focal point of visiting this town is El Peñon , a 200m-high granite monolith . A brick staircase of 700+ dteps rises up through a broad fissure in the side of the rock. From the top there are magnificent views of the region, the fingers of the lake sprawling amid a vast expanse of green mountains. The views of the artificial lake as u climb the 700 odd steps is literally a piece of heaven. Take a look
One of the most mesmerizing and picturesque attractions I have been to!!!
With its steep and windy streets and bright colors, Guatapé town is ridiculously gaudy and photogenic, but it’s the zocalos the bottom of every building with fresco-like 3D panels called that make it distinctive. Take a look.
Colombia is a very green country. Through the three weeks of travel was always surrounded by the Andes mountain range. The elevation and temperatures provide ideal climate for growing coffee, world’s third largest coffee producer. We visited both A coffee plantation and a cocoa plantation . Both places had lovely haciendas – large estate or plantation with a spacious house where we spent the night.
Ripe cocoa beans ready to be picked
Cocoa plantation with the seeds
Harvested beans ☝️are dried and then pounded . Depending on size of operation it is manual or electric . Most cocoa farms in Colombia small organic and pretty manual
Cocoa plantation relatively new for Colombia
Small coffee fruits spear after two years of landing , give fruit for about 20-25 years
Ripe red beans ready to be picked. Once beans turn red have to be picked in 15 days
Coffee is sorted by grade and dried
Intrestingly the main process in coffee which gives the aroma i.e. Roasting, is done by individual countries based on preferences
Just have a look at the variety of flowers in the coffee plantation hacienda hotel
Hiking in Colombia’s Cocora Valley, just outside the pretty little town of Salento is a spectacular trail that takes one to a cloud forest, jungle, farmland and, to top it all off, the tallest palm trees in the world. The wax palm, Colombia’s national tree, grows up to 197 feet in height
This breathtaking area of Colombia is surrounded in emerald green hills and dotted with– the wax palm.
Covered by mist at the top with my Colombian tour leader
And the last the capital…..Bogotá is Colombia’s engaging and vibrant capital cradled by chilly Andean peaks.The city’s cultural center is La Candelaria, the cobbled historicdowntowb Which is home to museums, restaurants, hotels and bars, amid 300-year-old houses, churches and convents. Nearly all of Bogotá’s traditional attractions are here, radiating from Plaza de Bolívar, Justice palace , parliament and presidential mansions . Not to miss the Museo Botero, showcasing Fernando Botero’s art, and the Museo del Oro, displaying pre-Columbian gold pieces.
Monserrate (named after Catalayn mountain Montserrat spain and Barcelona visitors may recall)is a hill that dominates the city with a where there is a church (built in the 17th century) with a shrine. can be accessed by aerial tramway, a funicular or just trekking.
Street art above 4 pics
Colombian Parliament House
In 1985a guerrilla group stormed Colombia’s Palace of Justice and held all 25 of the country’s Supreme Court justices and hundreds of civilians hostage. … Over the next two days, the Colombian army mounted an operation to retake the building and free the hostages.
Gothic Catholic temple from the early 20th century with a unique striped paint scheme.
Fernando Botero is a Colombian figurative artist and sculptor. Born in Medellín, his signature style, people and figures in large, exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism or humor, depending on the piece.
Botero’s sculpture at entrance
Gold Musuem
The figure refers to the ceremony of the legend of El Dorado. It represents the ceremony of investiture of the Muisca chief, which used to take place at Lake Guatavita.[1] During this ritual, the heir to the chieftainship (zipa) covered his body with gold dust and jumped into the lake along with gold offerings and emeralds to the gods.
Adios Columbia . Lo pasé muy bien. Gracias
