Author Archives: Stoo

  • Journey to the centre of the world

    Hangover nonsense in the morning as usual, so we’re not in a fit state to do anything.  We’ve managed to accumulate two English girls who want to visit the centre of the world today.  Apparently with Ecuador right on the Equator, you can visit latitude 00,00,00, and get your passport stamped to say you were …

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  • Ecuador!

    Today is a total write off.  I’ve yet again attempted to cross a border when there is a holiday going on.  As ever leaving a country is no problem, especially as most would be glad to see the back of me.  Getting in is a different matter. Border crossings for me have always been unnerving …

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  • Dog burger

    This traveling quickly malarkey does have its drawbacks.  I’m falling massively behind in my writing, demonstrated by the fact that I’m attempting this entry nearly a week later.  I will apologise if the accuracy is sketchy.  Also I seem to be on a bus more often than not, which is not a pleasant experience.  The …

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  • Shake, rattle and roll

    Little do we know we’re going from the sublime to the ridiculous that almost makes the purity of yesterday obsolete.  Waking early, we both make the executive decision to go right back to bed.  Partly due to how tired we are, partly due to a sore saddle arse.  We’re walking like John Wayne to breakfast …

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  • A near perfect day

    Stupid o’clock for the bus to San Augstin in the morning and with a bit of luck we’ll run into the girls again.  By girls I mean Dani.  What we’re not prepared for is the utter ridiculousness of the road conditions.  Everywhere I’ve been so far in Colombia I’ve managed to get there via decent …

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  • Palm Sunday…

    Today see’s the beginning of the week long easter festival of Semana Santa (Holy Week). This being a particularly religious part of the world, they really go to town with their celebrations.  People come from all over the world to witness the processions, services and parades, all centred around the passion of the Christ.  We’re …

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  • Three bottle of rum and a breath of fresh air

    I’ve got chipwood in my mouth as I wake to the dulcet tones of Mancunian accents, as the hostel buddies from last night are preparing to leave. For a few minutes I contemplate staying in Cali to simply recover from my nocturnal escapades, then it dawns on me that I would be staying in Cali.  …

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  • A Swede!

    “Cali has an edge” claims the Lonely Planet.  If it does it’s the only thing it’s got.  We take a dander into the ‘old town’ and discover a sweaty, smelly, dirty, polluted, vehicle infested city centre with maybe two decent looking buildings.  There is nothing here.  It’s going to take some serious persuading from the …

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  • Waxy palms…

    With the best of intentions I set my alarm for 6.30am.  I’ve heard that the trek to the Valle de Cocora is best during the morning, as it’s most likely to rain over lunchtime, with you returning like a drowned rat.  Alas I’m still in my pit at 10am, mainly down to the incredibly comfortable …

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  • The devil makes work for idle thumbs

    I’d managed just under a week of no boozing when all of a sudden I find myself awake at 3am trying to build a bonfire in the middle of a field by a hostel with an Aussie, a Canadian, an Irish and an English girl.  It had to be some kind of joke.  I have …

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