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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.  …

“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 …

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 …

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 …

My new travel with pace mantra is working wonders.  I’m out of the door by 9am and on a bus to Salento with the kind of speed where you know you’ve not dressed yourself properly.  It’s a glorious day and freeing myself from the shackles of drink has me bouncing along like a fourteen year …

I have no idea where I am when I open my eyes.  Then it dawns on me I’ve got to be up to look around a coffee plantation.  Finally I’m doing some touristy stuff.  The cold shower doesn’t dampen my spirits, because I don’t get in it.  I’d rather smell for the day. I’m picked …