I have wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands about as long as I can remember. Studying them in geography class they always held a certain almost mystical allure for me. Later, when I read Origin of the Species and studied Biology, my interest increased, although relegated to life’s back burner. When I first decided to […]
I recently spent a day and a night in Cali, Colombia, on my way south to Ecuador. Cali is Colombia’s third largest city with a population only slightly less than Medellin. However, it was Holy Week and the town felt rather emptied out as the locals head to the beaches and mountain towns to vacation. […]
Into the Mountains and Manizales I arrived in Manizales rather late due to rain-related road delays. Fortunately, I was able to get a bed at my residence of choice, Base Camp Hostel. Manizales is a university town in the mountains. About 100,000 of the 400,000 residents attend one of the multiple universities. Manizales has a […]
A very big rock, a beautiful lake and the challenges of traversing a very wet Colombia Did I mention the rain? After three months of no rain, I arrived in Medellin. It was beautiful for three days. After that it rained every day and still does. It rained every afternoon and almost every night. […]
Happy Eater, Last Day of Passover, Wrapup of Semana Santa, and any other celebratory reason you might have! I just spent a 22 hour bus travel marathon from Cali to Quito. I left Cali at 10 p.m. and actually managed to sleep almost all the way to Pasto near the Ecuadorian border, arriving there about […]
I recently spent just over two weeks in Medellin, Colombia. When I arrived from Cartagena, I had no idea that I would be there more than a few days. However, a cracked tooth and the loss of my hard drive altered my itinerary, for the better I think. Both were repaired exceptionally well and […]
It was my last morning in Cartagena. I had been eyeing this building for days and had determined early-mid morning would be optimal light. So I walked over from the hotel and found the requisite shotgun toting guard at the door. For 10 minutes, I repeatedly tried to explain to him that I wanted to […]
During my travels in Central America I have hiked and climbed several volcanoes. Toward the end of my stay in Cartagena I visited Volcun Totumo which at roughly 18 meters high is by far the shortest to date. We booked the trip through our hotel and the cost was US$14 per person. This included round […]
The Old City of Cartagena at Night As the sun sets on Cartagena, Colombia, the lights come on and give this beautiful city an entirely different look and feel. La quinta por favor (check please). Let’s go for a stroll. Walking back toward the old city entrance we get our first glimpse of the […]
I recently spent five days in Cartagena. Cartagena was founded in 1533 and was rebuilt in 1552, folowing an extensive fire. It quickly grew into the primary Spanish Carribean port and was the storehouse for plundered Peruvian gold awaiting shipment to the Spanish Crown. Following numerous seiges including one by Sir Francis Drake, Spain began […]