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Colombia Trip
  • Jeremy McCartin
  • Jeremy McCartin

Colombia Trip

Visiting our Family in Colombia Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 20, 2023
    Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Leaving for Colombia

    June 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    **This is a repost of the 19 June footprint**

    Off on our trip to visit family in Colombia. First flight is to Sydney. Then to Santiago. Finally to Bogota. Roughly 27 hours. Nina realised something was happening yesterday. The shopping bags are a care package for Dean of Aussie food and drink. See you on the other side!Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Travel & Arriving in Bogota

    June 20, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    First main leg was Sydney to Santiago (12 hours). We all enjoyed the Qantas lounge and the flight was very comfortable. One person maybe had a bit too much vino but we survived. We had about 5 hours in transit in Santiago, Chile 🇨🇱. The final leg was to Bogota, Colombia 🇨🇴 (6 hours). We cleared Customs about 10:30pm. Family met us at the airport and we had a wonderful welcome. Dean's Aussie care package arrived intact. Have had a decent sleep overnight and can't wait to get out and explore... once the teenagers wake up!Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Wednesday in Bogota

    June 21, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We are spending Wednesday and Thursday in Bogota. Miguel and Christina are hosting us in their beautiful apartment. Everyone woke up on Wednesday morning not feeling too bad and got through the day.

    After breakfast Claudia and Dean came over and we had a look around the apartment complex. After lunch we walked to the Parque El Country, which is an old polo field now used as open space. Bogota is very densely populated so any park is welcome. Dean's local AFL team (the Bogota Bulldogs) train here.

    We continued walking to the Unicentro Shopping Mall where Liam bought shoes and Georgia had ice cream. After we got back home and changed dinner was at Carnaby Street Pasaje Gastronomico which is like a food court (but a good one).

    Later we watched on TV the Colombia v Panama women's football friendly and went to bed about 9:30pm.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    13

    Dean's Workshop and A BBQ

    June 22, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Thursday morning and we all were up feeling pretty normal. Some went to the gym with Miguel and I started on Duo Lingo - better late than never!

    Dean and Claudia arrived and we all went to his workshop to help move out a Toyota Landcruiser and see his project Beemer (a 3 series with a 6.2 litre V8). After that we had a magnificent chicken lunch and walked to Dean and Claudia's apartment.

    Another walk to get beef, sausages (Argentinean - yum) plus salad for a BBQ at Andy and Natalia's place. We had a great time chatting with everyone and discovered Georgia has a talent for pouring tap beers (rules go out the window here). The boys started to get a bit tired so we headed home.

    Tomorrow (Friday) we are driving to Villa de Leyva for a weekend at the family home there.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    3

    Off to Villa de Leyva

    June 23, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    We left Bogota about 9:30am, heading for the family's house at Villa de Leyva. Nice to have a reminder of Colombian crazy driving on rural roads. On the way we visited the Puente de Boyacá and Simón Bolívar monument. More info here:

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puente_de_Boyacá

    Lunch was in Santa Teresita and we arrived at Villa de Leyva. The house is very comfortable. We managed to have a swim and dinner in town. Tomorrow we will hit the town properly.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    2

    Saturday in Villa de Leyva

    June 24, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    On Saturday morning (after some handball drills) we headed into the centre of town to explore, shop and have coffee. The huge cobbled Plazor Mayor (town square) is full of marquees and other crap for a cycling event - so those pictures have been ripped off the internet.

    The town was founded in 1572 with narrow cobbled roads radiating out from the Plazor Mayor. There was little development over the centuries so virtually all of the Colonial architecture was preserved. The town was declared a national monument in 1954. The surrounding landscape is spectacular and in the valley many dinosaur fossils have been unearthed. (Wikipedia)

    The town is very touristy by Colombian standards but is not in any way ruined by it. There are lots of courtyards with cafes, bars and restaurants.

    We went back to the house for lunch and had Nancy's delicious Aijaco which is a chicken soup served with maize (corn), rice, avocado and capers. Once the food coma wore off we had a swim.

    Dean and I lit the bbq and we had snags in bread (pan) for dinner, played music and some waited for the Collingwood game to start. Tomorrow we head back to Bogota. This really is a special place.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Return to Bogota

    June 25, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    A travel day today, not much happened apart from experiencing our first Colombian traffic jam - surprised it took this long to be honest. We are back in Bogota and here until Tuesday morning, when we fly to Cartagena.Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    11

    Exploring Bogota 1

    June 26, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After a bit of a sleep in and gym session we walked to the nearby Exito which is a massive retail store selling nearly everything! Dean and Harry met us there. The teenagers got some clothes and we all had lunch from the food trucks.

    We walked south along Avenida Carrera 9 and cut across to one of the older Bogota neighbourhoods around Parque de Usaquen where there is a nearby outdoor market. Dean suggested we have afternoon tea at Archies (very nice tiramisau) then we backtracked to the El Irish bar, which has an excellent local version of stout.

    The plan had been to visit Monserrate which is a viewing spot over the city but the fernicular doesn't run that late in the day (apparently). So we headed back to the apartment for an early night as we all are flying to Cartagena tomorrow morning.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    2

    Cartagena - Arrival & Exploring

    June 27, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Up early and after an entertaining ride in morning Bogota peak hour traffic we boarded our flight to Cartagena. I had some spectacular views of the Colombian landscape and Cartagena from the plane. Stepped out into 32 degrees and 80% humidity which was a bit of a shock at first.

    Cartagena is a large metropolis which even has a Gold Coast style strip of high rise apartments. We are staying in the old part of the city which was founded in 1533. This area is surrounded by a city wall and towers. The streets are very narrow with Colonial architecture and the odd shady square.

    Our accommodation wasn't ready but we could get changed and leave our bags there so we went for a walk along the wall and around town, had lunch and got back about 2:30pm.

    Everyone had a dip in the pool and relaxed for a bit. Then we got ready for our special dinner (more on that later).    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    1

    Drinks & Dinner in Cartagena

    June 27, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Tuesday evening and a special dinner was planned at Cande, which is one of the best restaurants in Colombia. For pre-dinner drinks we went to Cafe Del Mar and had cocktails while the sun set.

    Dinner was fantastic - we all had seafood and it was divine. Thank you to our Colombian family for organising such a special night!Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Visiting the Fort

    June 28, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    On Wednesday after breakfast we headed to the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, which is a fort built in 1536, located on the Hill of San Lázaro overlooking the city. It is about 50 metes high. Inside the fort is a maze of passages. There are eight batteries each able to cover the other. Might mention it was a tad hot as well!

    After lunch we went for another wander around the old city and found a wonderful shady street lined with paintings - like an outdoor art gallery.

    It was hot so we relaxed back at the house for the afternoon. Claudia and Dean had organised a surprise for the evening which was very exciting...    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Return to Bogota

    June 29, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Thursday morning in Cartagena and an early morning walk to the beach (in 29 degree heat) so we could put our toes (and bodies) in the Caribbean Sea. Goodbye Cartagena, you are an amazing, historic, hot, chaotic but charming place.

    Now we are back in less warm Bogota with a pile of washing and time to rest. Off to Monserrate tomorrow and preparing for the big footy game on Saturday!    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    1

    Exploring Bogota 2

    June 30, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Today we headed to Monserrate, which is a 3,152 metre high mountain overlooking Bogota (which already sits at a 2,600-odd metre elevation). You can climb 1,000 steps to get up there or take the fernicular. We chose the latter. There is a church and shops at the top of the mountain.

    The views from the mountain across Bogota are spectacular.

    Then we headed into the old part of Bogota, stopping off at the Cranky Croc which is a hostel/hotel owned and run by Dean's mate, Andy. In the old part of Bogota there are narrow streets and Colonial buildings.

    We had a very delicious and authentic Colombian lunch at Origen bistro and wandered down to Plaza de Bolivar which is the main square of the city. Nearby is the Colombian House of Congress and Official Residence of the President.

    It was great to see the old part of the city and we will get back there next week. Tomorrow, the womens and mens Bogota Bulldogs AFL teams are playing, including our kids. So an early night tonight!    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Aussie Rules Footy in Bogota

    July 1, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Today was a special day. Women's and men's Australian Rules Football matches had been organised. We headed north to the ground (a soccer pitch) on the Transmillenio. Most of the footy teams are locals and games are played once or twice a month.

    The women played first and Georgia kicked 2 goals and won player of the day! Sonya even got to use her trainer skills.

    I was roped into umpiring the men's game and Patrick and Liam played in the team with their uncle Dean. The game was close and the Colombian's showed off their skills.

    A Colombian AFL team will be at the international carnival on the Sunshine Coast next year - think we might head up there.

    Later we spent some time at the El Irish pub near home for the post match drinks and awards. Everyone is tired but happy from a fantastic day.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Finca Camperdown in San Juan de Rioseco

    July 2, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    This morning we left Bogota and headed west to Dean and Claudia's finca ("country house") located near the town of San Juan de Rioseco. They have named it Finca Camperdown in tribute to Dean and Sonya's parents and grandparents.

    The landscape is amazing and so lush. Views from the property are down into the Magdelena River valley which is the largest river in Colombia (over 1500 km long) and of massive mountain ranges.

    It is a long weekend in Colombia so we will be here until Tuesday. Liam and I got the fire going (Dean fired it up with his leaf blower) and Patrick found out using a machete is not as easy as it looks in the movies. Tomorrow we will explore the surrounding area.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Working Bee at Finca Camperdown

    July 3, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    We awoke this morning to a bit of a white out which eventually cleared. Liam sat an exam for school and then Dean got everyone motivated to have a working bee around the finca. With a bit of mowing, hedge trimming, line trimming, leaf blowing and clean up the property looks great!

    There is a festival in town so that was avoided. Instead we headed to a local viewpoint named the "Curva del Angel" which was (again) spectacular.

    We had lunch at a local hotel where I had vegetables for the first time in a while. On the return leg we went through the town again (still crazy) and returned to the finca. Claudia and Georgia were on fire duty tonight and did a great job!

    We are returning to Bogota tomorrow. On Wednesday we are flying to Medellin.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Return to Bogota

    July 4, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Today (Tuesday) we travelled back to Bogota from Finca Camperdown, stopping briefly in the nearby town of San Juan de Rioseco where the long weekend festival had finally ended - although a few locals were still going (day 4)!

    It was nice to wind down back at Miguel and Christina's place and get ready for our flight to Medellin tomorrow.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    Arrival in Medellin

    July 5, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    After another entertaining spin in Bogota traffic we made it to the airport and hopped on a plane to Medellin.

    Medellin is the 2nd largest city in Colombia, set in a "bowl" with steep mountains all around. Tomorrow we will explore the city and on Friday visit nearby historic Guatape.

    We had a delicious lunch at Asados Exquisitos, including the local favourite dish Bandeja Paisa which is pork belly, blood sausage, chorizo (sausage), minced meat, rice, beans, a fried egg, fried plantain, avocado and a small corn arepa. (I had a steak.)

    After check-in we had drinks on the hotel roof terrace and later met some local friends of Claudia and Dean for dinner. It was a great introduction to the city... and hopefully we can burn it off exploring tomorrow!    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    1

    Exploring Medellin

    July 6, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    After a hotel breakfast we caught a taxi to the start point of our bus tour of Medellin which Claudia had organised. This was absolutely the best way to see the city and major landmarks.

    The first thing that strikes me about Medellin is how green it is - almost everywhere there are trees planted and the near constant shade is very welcome. The city definitely feels more hemmed in by mountains compared to Bogota.

    We had lunch at a very flash shopping centre where the teenagers finally sampled Colombian KFC (verdict - tastes the same) and continued our bus tour.

    For dinner and drinks we went to a corner bar near the hotel and Trav from Gringo Tuesdays joined us. Tomorrow (Friday) Claudia has organised transport to the historic area of Guatape and then an evening flight back to Bogota.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler
    1

    Guatape

    July 7, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    After the rock it was a short drive to the lakeside town of Guatape. When Sonya was here in 2015 this was a fairly small, quiet place. Like all the shops and restaurants at the base of the rock, it has expanded massively.

    The town still has some charm with a lovely main square and colourful buildings, many with decorations on the outside showing the type of business. The area along the lake front has been renovated and after the teenagers had fun on the play equipment we had a beer on one of the boats to toast Patrick turning 19. (Georgia had lemonade.)

    It was a great day and huge thanks to Claudia for organising the transport. We left Guatape for Medellin airport and after a delayed flight to Bogota and entertaining ride in a barely roadworthy van with seats ("taxi") we were back at Miguel and Christina's place.

    Our last weekend will be spent in Bogota and we fly home late Monday night local time.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    La Piedre del Penol

    July 7, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Happy 19th Birthday Patrick!

    We left Medellin this morning and headed towards the lakeside town of Guatape. But first we visited La Piedre del Penol, which is a huge granite rock about 200 metres high. There is a staircase with about 650 steps so naturally we climbed to the top.

    Of course, the view is spectacular. The lakes and landscapes are in part the result of dams which also provide hydro electricity (Colombia is heading towards 90% of their electricity from hydro).

    We decended the rock and had lunch, then continued on to Guatape itself.    Read more

  • Jeremy McCartinColombia TripTraveler

    National Museum and Dinner

    July 8, 2023 in Colombia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Saturday morning and Claudia, Sonya and I caught the bus to the National Museum of Colombia which is located in a former prison close to the downtown area. The Museum is fascinating, very comprehensive and does not shy away from the difficult history of the country.

    The teenagers went to Bogota Bulldogs football training with Dean and had a Ramen lunch afterwards!

    We had a special dinner for Patrick's birthday at Andres DC which is one of the best restaurants in Colombia. The restaurant is over 5 floors with amazing food, performers, music and dancing. We were joined by Harry and Carolina and it was a wonderful evening... might be some sore heads in the morning!    Read more

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