Colombia,
3 weeks

It's probably the best selling tour of Bogota, but it's really good. In 5 hours you get to know about the city, it's people and Colombian history, food and culture. The guide told us about how drugwars and FARC influenced daily life and how optimistic the Colombians are about the future. Loved it!

Tip!

Don't forget to put on sunscreen :)

The story goes that graffiti was forbidden, until Justin Bieber sprayed the Canadian flag (with a weed leaf in stead of the maple one) on one of the building on Avenida del Dorado. Accopanied by Colombian policemen. Since then, local graffiti artists paint the most beautiful and bizar art works on buildings along one of the busiest acces roads of Bogota.

Some of the best examples of gold-work survived the plundering by the Spanish in pre-Colombian times. The museum has 6000! pieces on display. Enjoy the bling.

OK, you have to make your way through the swaps to get to this little village in the rainforest. But it's a wonderful place to learn about the traditions of the Ticuna community, meet the family monkey! and to listen to the sounds of the forest (hammock-style).

Tip!

Get off at stop Santa Sofia (direction Puerto Narino).

Have your own "Me Tarzan, you Jane" experience! Flesh eating plants, illuminating mushrooms, tarantula families, anacondas...

Tip!

Looking for undisturbed jungle? The more days you book, the deeper you go into the jungle.

In the Amazone, people live and work on the river. The boat dock is a wonderful spot to get familiar with the Amazonian culture, before you hit the Big River and the jungle.

Tip!

Visit Parque Santander, 5 minutes from the dock between 17.30-18.00 hours. Hundreds of parrots lands on the trees for a good night sleep.

Want to relax after a stenuous trek? Visit this colourful, but very sleepy village at an inlet of the Amazone. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, there's music everywhere and the sunset over de river is exceptional. And you can spot pink dolphins at one of lakes nearby!

Tip!

Get over to Calle 6 from 18.00 hours to get some delicious BBQ fish and chicken

I thought this place was out of this world and for a moment believed it could be the perfect hide away for aliens ;) The desert is not extremely large, but it offers enough different landscapes and activities for a few days’ worth of exploration. Plus, it’s one of the best places on the entire continent for stargazing, due to the near-total lack of light pollution.

Tip!

Visit the observatory after sunset for a one-on-one with the Milky Way.

The largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America stands in a wild, spectacular landscape. Gods and mythical animals are skilfully represented in styles ranging from abstract to realist. Next to an outstanding archeological parque, you can find them on plains, cliffs, in the middle of grassy fields. It takes about 3 days to see all of the statues.

Tip!

Look out for the one that looks like a penguin, but is actually an eagle...

Once a week the Guambiano indians, young and old, go to Silvia's market. They are considered one of the most conservative indigenous people and wear beautiful blue-purple scarfs and ponchos with bowler hats to top it off. At the market they buy and sell fruits, vegetables, meat and traditional medicine. Around the plaza, you'll find typical "chiva" buses lined up to transport everyone back to the mountains.

Tip!

Visit the market on Tuesdays to see this timeless scene.

The Aurora cable car provides incredible views of the west of Medellin and a view into the different aspects of its society. The cable car floats over the hills and some of the poorer areas of Medellin. It passes favelas as well as new government housing projects. When you're interested in visiting a favela, I recommend Comuna 13. Formerly Medillins most dangerous neighbourhood, but due to urban renewal rejuvenated. I walked up the barrio's hill until it didn't feel safe anymore.

Tip!

Don't be a hero, listen to your gut when visiting a favela.

In this breathtaking valley you find the Colombia's national tree: the wax palm. It's the world longest palm tree, to be found at 2500-2800 meters and gets up to 60 meters tall. This palm only grows here (in natural circumstances) and there are hundreds of them!

Tip!

The most spectaculair view is from Finca La Montaña.

Full-figured, big-boned, chubby, voluptuous, or just good old-fashioned fat, however you describe the sculptures of Fernando Botero they are definitely larger than life. You'll find most of the bronze sculptures at Botero Plaza.

Salento shows, Colombians aren't afraid to use colour. I am not getting into the colour schemes, though... Salento is quite a touristy village, but nice as a base to trek through the green Andean mountains, visit a coffee plantation and expore the Valle de Cocoa.

You cannot imagine a bigger contrast. 10 kilometers from rich Cartagena lies Isla Tierra Bomba, where 12.000 African Colombians live in poverty. There's no water of medical facilities.

Tip!

Indulge on fried fish at a beach shack, just behind the fort San Fernando.

This market is not for beginners. It's filthy and obscure, a wrong turn in the mazes of Bazurto would prove harmful. But it's bustling and enthralling, an assault to your senses! The chaotic market seems to stretch on forever in every direction, offering everything from parrot fish to clothes. No tourists here!

Tip!

Don't wear juwellery, I had someone pull on my necklace...

You've found paradise. Enough said.

Tip!

Cartagena based Blue Sailing is a reputable company.

Cartagena's city centre to me comes across as an amusement park, with hip restaurants and over expensive shops. So not the Colombia I've seen in the rest of the country. The bohemian Getsmani neighbourhood still has some authenticity left. Its has artsy streets and a vibrant nightlife, although it is the domain of backpackers. In the next years I am afraid, it probably will evolve into the next amusement park.

Tip!

Try the food stalls at the atmospheric Plaza de la Santisima Trinidad