Nov 2018 – Mar 2019

South America

November 2018 - March 2019 Read more

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Trip start
November 23, 2018
skip's retirement travel South America
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- Day 2
- Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 12:57 PM
- 🌧 12 °C
- Altitude: 3,027 m
- Colombia Laguna Guatavita 4.977506, -73.774364°58’39” N 73°46’28” W
Cacique de Guatavita
November 24, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
This is where the myth of El Dorado began. Indigenous tribes gave offerings into this lagoon that was filled to the top. The Spanish tried to drain the lagoon by excavating one side, hence the gap. They lowered the water level 60 meters but didn't get to the bottom. The second pic is in the ceremonial lodge while the 4th pic is a larger regional shot.
They don't know for sure how this was formed, but the best guess is that it is a collapsed salt dome.Read more
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 10:00 AM
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 2,670 m
- Colombia Zipaquirá 5.01994, -74.00965°1’12” N 74°0’35” W
Catedral de Sal
November 27, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
The Salt Cathedral is an old salt mine tha the miners carved into a spectacular cathedral with the stations of the cross. The stations of the cross come first, with each using an empty cross for Jesus and abstract carvings for the rest of the scene, all in the native salt. Then an angel in the labyrinth at the entry to the cathedral. Then the nativity nave, the life nave with the central carving of the creation. And the tree of life, using native people, honoring them and their culture.Read more
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 2:14 PM
- 🌧 14 °C
- Altitude: 2,742 m
- Colombia Puente Boyacá 5.45196, -73.427765°27’7” N 73°25’40” W
Puente de Boyaca
November 27, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Bridge and park at the decisive battle for Colombian Independence. The large statue is Simon Bolivar. The rock with the plaque honors the help provided by the British army on winning the battle
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 5:35 PM
- 🌧 16 °C
- Altitude: 2,161 m
- Colombia Quebrada La Colorada 5.63425, -73.522935°38’3” N 73°31’23” W
Villa de Leyva
November 27, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
A colonial town north of Bogota. First is the Plaza Mayor, the town's main square. This is looking from the door of the Hospedería (hotel) where I stayed. The second is inside the Hospedería. The next 2 are typical street scenes of the colonial town, still with the stone paved streets. The last pic is not of Villa de Leyva but is of a nearby town showing a bit of the surrounding area.Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 10:27 AM
- 🌧 18 °C
- Altitude: 2,129 m
- Colombia Quebrada La Colorada 5.63503, -73.536725°38’6” N 73°32’12” W
Casa Terracotta
November 28, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Extraordinary house built of terracotta. The clay was placed by hand the fire in place, if I understood the Spanish description. The also said that the conical design had seismic benefits. In pic 3 you can see a built in barbeque and table with seats. Lots of other interesting details, like the handrails at the stairs are wrought iron snakes.Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 10:42 AM
- 🌧 18 °C
- Altitude: 2,103 m
- Colombia Villa de Leiva 5.63706, -73.558685°38’13” N 73°33’31” W
Pliosaurus
November 28, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
The fossil museum is on the site where a Pliosaurus was found. It is left in situ with the museum built around it. This area was an inland sea at the time, so finding a marine dinosaur is not that big a surprise. I liked seeing it in place.Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 11:23 AM
- 🌧 19 °C
- Altitude: 2,103 m
- Colombia Quebrada Los Apisos 5.67234, -73.585895°40’20” N 73°35’9” W
Monesterio Santo Ecce Homo
November 28, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Dominican monastery from the early 1600s. First the cloister, then the church with a close-up of the altar screen. The 4th pic is of mass being said. It is a mannekin facing the altar. Most interestingly is that the altar piece is original, missing only the good overlay. This monastery also shows the local native Muisca culture. Pic 5 captures some of the artifacts plus old paintings of Muisca leaders from the time of the conquest. The last pic is a native art crucifix.Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 12:24 PM
- 🌧 18 °C
- Altitude: 2,084 m
- Colombia Quebrada Tintogue 5.65397, -73.589925°39’14” N 73°35’24” W
Viñeda ain Karim
November 28, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Colombia Is not generally known for wine, but this valley near Villa de Leyva has a unique microclimate that allows for viniculture. I didn't take the tour as it is only given in Spanish, and my language skill isn't up to that yet. However, I did taste the wine, and it is quite good. Try it if you see it.Read more
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- Day 8
- Friday, November 30, 2018 at 10:08 AM
- 🌧 17 °C
- Altitude: 2,104 m
- Colombia Río Arriba 4.6384, -75.5194°38’18” N 75°31’8” W
Cocora Valley
November 30, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
A beautiful valley in the Colombian rain forest. I wasn't able to get a good picture of the valley as a whole as a sense fog settled in as we approached the ridge from where I could get a picture. The last 2 pics are about the Wax Palm tree. In one I'm planting a seedling to help recover the species that was seriously reduced, in part because the need for palms for Palm Sunday was greater than the species' ability the produce them. Also due deforestation: there wasn't enough cover for the young trees which need shade for about 15 years. The last pic is a Wax Palm, probably 200 years old or so.Read more
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- Day 9
- Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 4:01 PM
- 🌧 24 °C
- Altitude: 1,474 m
- Colombia Calarcá 4.51838, -75.640384°31’6” N 75°38’25” W
Recuca
December 1, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Coffee farm and culture site. First is the coffee flower. The beans on a drying rack. Then 4 platters of beans, one raw, one dried, one with the inner shell removed (standard form for export), and finally roasted beans. The 4th pic is a small, home size roaster with a tray of just roasted beans, still hot. A barista making coffee in the traditional manner. Finally, some coffee trees.Read more
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- Day 10
- Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 3:25 PM
- 🌧 24 °C
- Altitude: 1,560 m
- Colombia Calarcá 4.54649, -75.636564°32’47” N 75°38’12” W
Botanical garden and butterfly farm
December 2, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Located near Armenia, the botanical garden preserves native Colombian rainforest and works to protect and propogate endangered species. The last 2 pics are of the butterfly farm, located within the botanical garden. First the building from above, shaped like a butterfly, and then one of the dozens of species found here.Read more
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- Day 10
- Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 3:36 PM
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 1,338 m
- Colombia Puerto Espejo 4.50705, -75.714914°30’25” N 75°42’54” W
Armenia, Colombia
December 2, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Central city of Colombia's coffee region. I didn't stay or spend any time in the city proper. I stayed at a small hotel tucked in the forest. The pics are all at the hotel, first the building, then the view from my room and finally my occasional breakfast companionRead more
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- Day 12
- Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 9:00 AM
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 1,543 m
- Colombia Parque Lleras 6.21157, -75.569986°12’42” N 75°34’12” W
Medellín
December 4, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
City of Pablo Escobar. Now a lovely and progressive place, moving forward rapidly now that the drug wars seem to be over. First an overview. Then a couple of street scenes, the plaza of lights and a couple 17th century churches.Read more
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- Day 12
- Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 9:46 PM
- 🌧 17 °C
- Altitude: 1,681 m
- Colombia Loma Genaro Sierra 6.24672, -75.626096°14’48” N 75°37’34” W
Comunna 13
December 4, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Neighborhood 13. A poorer part of Medellin that is making efforts to improve. It is an area filled with really good street art, at least one really good small restaurant (Berracas de la 13) and people working for empowerment. It amazes me that this is the neighborhood that the FARC took over during the civil war and was ravaged, especially when a couple Blackhawks attacked. I was taken there by my guide from the morning who is one of the people working for empowerment. Great day.Read more
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- Day 12
- Tuesday, December 4, 2018
- ⛅ 25 °C
- Altitude: 1,466 m
- Colombia Quebrada La Monoga 6.27159, -75.567786°16’18” N 75°34’4” W
Medellin Christmas lights
December 4, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Medellin has been setting up extensive Christmas light displays for over 50 years. This year the theme celebrates the biodiversity of Colombia, which happens to be the 2nd most biodiverse country. This is only a fraction of my pics, but they speak for themselves. Spectacular.Read more
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- Day 13
- Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 1:21 PM
- 🌧 19 °C
- Altitude: 2,003 m
- Colombia El Peñón de Guatapé 6.21971, -75.179246°13’11” N 75°10’45” W
El Peñol
December 5, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Large monolith near Guatapé. Pablo Escobar's villa is supposed to be near here. No, I didn't see the villa, but yes, I did climb up the 700 steps. I needed a rest when I made it. Then took pictures around the 360 degree view. And walked down the 700 steps, only to then walk several kilometers to Guatapé.Read more
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- Day 13
- Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3:18 PM
- 🌧 20 °C
- Altitude: 1,894 m
- Colombia Guatapé 6.23385, -75.161596°14’2” N 75°9’42” W
Guatepé
December 5, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
A formerly agriculture small town, but not becoming a tourist destination since the building of the nearby hydropower dam and lake. The painted carvings along the lower part of the facades are called zocolos. Guatapé is famous for them. Some call this the most colorful city in ColombiaRead more
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- Day 15
- Friday, December 7, 2018 at 7:00 AM
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: 15 m
- Colombia Iglesia San Roque 10.42263, -75.5445410°25’21” N 75°32’40” W
Cartegena
December 7, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Beautiful but hot Caribbean city that was where the Spanish treasure fleets left South America for Spain. Most new tall buildings are white and along a spit of land enlarge by landfill. The Old City, inside the walls retains it's historic character. The first pic looks across the bay towards the newer area along the coast. The second pic is the clocktower that is a symbol for Cartagena. Then a section of the city wall and the Old Town at night. I was here for the festival honoring Maria where many candles are lit; there is a procession and dancing in the streets in traditional dress.Read more
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- Day 16
- Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 8:00 AM
- ⛅ 25 °C
- Altitude: 24 m
- Colombia Castillo San Felipe de Barajas 10.42255, -75.539310°25’21” N 75°32’21” W
San Felipe
December 8, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The hilltop fortress protecting Cartagena. Started in the late 16th century and expanded in the 17th. Never captured. The first pic looks at the fort from a distance. Then some pictures of various parts of the fort. The bell was the alarm when enemies were sighted. The last pic is of the barracks, now a series of shops.Read more
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- Day 16
- Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 10:19 AM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Colombia Isla Barracuda 10.18361, -75.7213310°11’1” N 75°43’17” W
Isla del Pirata
December 8, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
There is a number of small islets off the coast of Cartagena, many of which have been developed. Isla del Pirata Is one of them, reached only by speedboat once a day. The first pic looks at the island as we approached. Then several pics on the island. The fifth looks down into the clear Caribbean water on a school of small fish. And I couldn't miss a picture of the mermaid.Read more
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- Day 18
- Monday, December 10, 2018 at 9:26 AM
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 25 m
- Colombia Playa del Centro 11.24074, -74.2101411°14’27” N 74°12’37” W
Santa Marta
December 10, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
First city founded by the Spanish in Colombia, 1525. Great seafood. The first pic is the cathedral, not original but on the site of the first church in Colombia. Then a couple pictures of the farmhouse where Simón Bolívar died of TB, followed by a monument to him. Then a small fishing village and the coast. This area is the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, said to be the highest mountains in the world that are directly on the coast.Read more
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- Day 19
- Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 8:39 AM
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Colombia Posadas San Rafael 11.28121, -73.9146711°16’52” N 73°54’53” W
Tayrona National Park
December 11, 2018 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Seaside park, preserving a section of coastal South American rainforest. The last pic is from lunch at the restaurant at Cabo San Juan, a 2+ hour hike in (and another 2 hours back out again). There is no road access. So all supplies are packed in on horses. Temps well into the 90s, but a sea breeze came up, making the climate balmy for the walk back. The rest of the pics are random shots of the park.Read more
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- Day 22
- Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10:56 AM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 2,804 m
- Ecuador Quebrada Alcantarilla -0.193038, -78.4967860°11’35” S 78°29’48” W
Quito
December 14, 2018 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Political capital of Ecuador that sits above 9,000 feet. The first pic is the main square, one side of which is the cathedral (2nd pic). The winged statue is not an angel. It is a statue of the Virgin by an artist who signature is adding wings. (Although right now before Christmas it would be easy to see this as the angel Gabriel.) The 4th pic is the Franciscan building of monastery, church, school and more They developed the artisans school for the indigenous folks. Then a street scene and finally the central market. I really enjoy these markets with all their glorious chaos and messiness. So much good stuff to see and try. One thing missing is church interiors as they don't allow photography. I really wanted to get a pic of the Jesuit church as it is almost entirely finished with gold.Read more
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- Day 22
- Friday, December 14, 2018 at 3:19 PM
- 🌧 17 °C
- Altitude: 2,472 m
- Ecuador Quebrada Cangahua -0.002354, -78.4558110°0’8” S 78°27’21” W
The Middle of the World
December 14, 2018 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Site north of Quito on the equator commemorating the French geophysical expedition in the 18th century locating the equator (monument in the last pic), and more. The site includes a number of exhibits of some of the unique geophysical effects of being on the equator, including balancing an egg on the head of a nail. There are also displays of Ecuadorian culture, flora and fauna.Read more
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- Day 23
- Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 6:35 AM
- ⛅ 3 °C
- Altitude: 4,884 m
- Ecuador Faldas del Cotopaxi -0.665552, -78.4448240°39’56” S 78°26’41” W
Cotopaxi National Park
December 15, 2018 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
Cotopaxi is an active volcano that behaved while I was there. The park surrounds the mountain. I got lucky in that the mountain that is usually hidden in clouds became visible while I was there, even though we started our walk in a light rain. The path we walked goes around a wet alpine meadow/lagoon that sits above 12,500 feet. The last 2 pics are of Andean Teal and a raptor whose name I can't recall.Read more
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