Bogota

In order to have a nice and safe start we stayed at the recommended Hotel De La Opera. Its right in the middle of the old town and you are within 5 minutes walking distance to the most important places. The hotel itself is very comfortable, has good service and not to forget: internet connection for free.

From here you can also book different trips around Bogota. We did a trip to Villa de Leyva and Raquiera with Don Luis. You can book it very easy at the reception. Unfortantely the service team doesn´t speak Englisch that well, so we where more than glad to have our very good friend Paula with us, translating and organising everything. 1st lesson in Bogota: Come here only if you speak Spanish or if you´re with someone who does. And, always take a cab, plus, be sure you order one by the cab central station. Thus, at least this station knows in which car you jumped and where did you want to go. On Sunday we went to the Gold museum. Really impressing. It is small and you can make it in 2 hours.

Are you finally in Colombia, you need to taste the food. There is a possibility at every corner. Our advice: Andres Carne De Res. It is a bit outside of Bogota. You can take a bus. The trip is about 45 minutes. Or taxi again. The restaurant is amazing. Typical colombian food. But the best beside all these huge steaks, potato´s and salats starts around 8 o´clock: Party on Wayne. Everybody starts dancing and celebrates the night together.

Ibague

After we left Bogota, we moved forward to Ibague. You can fly there (1 hour) or take a taxi. Its not a normal taxi, its more a Van. It goes from the main bus station of Bogota and is called "Velotaxi". They can take on 8 to 9 people. What to expect? Music, a lot of it, fast driving style and maybe some new people with the same intentions. It takes 3 hours to Ibague and you can see the great landscape. Also you will notice the difference between Bogota time by time. As you go to Ibague you go more down south, and the rainy cold weather will change into hot and dry.

Ibague itself is hot, very hot. There is not much to see, but for us this was a special stop. We could meet Estibalitz, which became her child just 10 days before we arrived. Also we had the great opportunity to meet Paula´s parents and to get a visit in the coffee factory of her father. Very impressive. You could see everything, from the arrival of the coffee until the roasting for testing. Just great and an unforgetable experience.

Video

There is a video on "YouTube", which shows you the good sites of Colombia, as we have seen them. Take your time and have look at it.

Where to get and use Money?

You´ll survive with your credit card. All the tv-campaigns where right, it works everywhere in the world. Even in Leticia it was no problem to get money from the ATM. If you wanna get 300.000 colombian Peso, they will charge you round about 5€.

And please! Don´t change money on the street. In the city centres you´ll be asked very often. The trick: The one who changes you the money, will give you a little bit less than the deal was. If you then ask for the rest of the money he´ll say: "oh yes, sure, sorry." Right in that moment, when he adds the money, he picks the big money (sorry for the bad english) out of the pack. Before you got to know, he´ll be far out of your reach and if you complain, you´ll have a nice time by wondering how many of his friends have been standing around you. You can imagine what comes next.

Leticia

After we had another night in Bogota, we went on to Leticia. You can fly there once a day with Aero Republica. But don´t expect to get off at time. There are delays. Hey, its Latin America. It can happen, that if your flight is scheduled for the morning, that you actually get off in the afternoon. Don´t panic, its normal. There are people that panic and tell stories like you can only fly to Leticia and land there until 2PM or that it is normal that flights are cancelled. All bullshit. Stay calm. You will get there.

The landing is something special. Cause you won´t see the airport or better bus station until the actual landing. Its amazonas, its rain forest everywhere you look at. You get a warm welcome, by hot air, high density and nice people. If we talk about people you have to see (and you will) Kapas. He is well known from the TV-Ad for the Amazonas. First you will be freaked by his look, He is a tall guy, in the sixties, white or blond hair but very lusty. He speaks by a strange dialect and fits in there perfectly. Don´t hesitat to go with him. He´s ok and something like a masqot of Leticia.

More coming soon...

Parque Natural Amacayacu

From Leticia we went with the Speed Boat towards the "Amacayacu" National Park. You can book ther trip at the Decamaron (transfer included). It takes you 2 hours, but only because you stop at every possible step. It pays off to be there a bit earlier. Then you will be able to get two seats next to eachother. The boat will become full, trust me.

If you are finally there you´ll be amazed. We did not expect so much comfort within our lodge. The friendly park crew welcomes you and you will be able to get a "shower", which means that they take you to the pool. Pool means Amazonas. We walked 5 minutes and stopped at a little sea, which has been the official pool. Don´t think, just jump. Its refreshing.

cookies, but not much more. And don´t be surprised if you don´There are also dorm rooms available. Electricity is there from 9 to 6. The park has its own aggregators. Breakfast is at 8 in the morning. And be there! Its not a hotel, but its made with lots of love. If you
didn´t make it, there will be some kind of shop
where you can by some drinks andt have internet access there.

People here are very much alike and you will have your peace as much as it is easy to get in contact.

What should you do around there?

More pics you can find here

Departure - Patience and Tax

If you fly by airplane be at the airport in advance, approx. 3 hours before. You´ll need that time. There are several security checks. Also, be aware of the airport tax on international flights out of Colombia. It is US$28 if you have stayed up to 60 days, and US$45 if you stayed longer. You can pay in US dollars or Peso, but not with credit card.

In order to save that money you just take your passport and go to the counter of your airline. They will give you a stamp. If you have this stamp you´ll pay no tax. We don´t know really why, but it works, and by the way, it worked for everyone. Just have a look where people cue at an airplane counter, if they get stamps, go there.

How to make money on the streets?

Or what can you bring up to impress car drivers? After some days in Bogota you´ll be amazed from what you can expect on every other crossroad. Here some examples:

1. A little play on stilts
2. selling candy
3. selling umbrellas
4. Breakdance
5. beggin´
6. selling newspapers
7. selling food (arepas etc.)
8. cleaning front shields
9. pantomime
10. ...

If anyone can add something to that list, bring it on!