Let's mix it up and fill in some experience gaps: RTW 2015

[JohnM]

Up to Cerro de Monserrate (3200m) this morning on the funicular for the classic view of Bogota. There is also a cable car but that was not operating today.









Capitolio Nacional at pigeon-infested Plaza de Bolivar which was taped off for what seemed to be preparations for a police march-past.

 

[JohnM]

After lunch, a visit to the famed - and excellent - Museo del Oro (gold museum). It really brought home the deep cultural significance of gold way back in pre-conquest times. In contrast, the Spanish colonisers took a mercantilist view of gold as a store of value.

 

[juddles]

Did you see the Muisca raft in the museum? Fantastic item. I have contemplated taking it but security there is a "bit" tight. I discovered that on my first visit - I suffered one of those unfortunate coincidences / moments of foolishness that one has a few times in a lifetime. I was only in Bogota for the day to do a visa thing, so after I finished that stuff I had a couple of hours to kill before heading to the airport. So I went to the Gold Museum. Being during a week day it was very quiet - I got to do the music/light show in the round gold room all by myself, which was spectacular. But I think I lurked too long, and attracted attention of security. It was at that point I remembered I had two bottles of gold hair paint on me - (for a party - don't ask). Won't be making that mistake again

 

[JohnM]

Did you see the Muisca raft in the museum? Fantastic item. I have contemplated taking it but security there is a "bit" tight. I discovered that on my first visit - I suffered one of those unfortunate coincidences / moments of foolishness that one has a few times in a lifetime. I was only in Bogota for the day to do a visa thing, so after I finished that stuff I had a couple of hours to kill before heading to the airport. So I went to the Gold Museum. Being during a week day it was very quiet - I got to do the music/light show in the round gold room all by myself, which was spectacular. But I think I lurked too long, and attracted attention of security. It was at that point I remembered I had two bottles of gold hair paint on me - (for a party - don't ask). Won't be making that mistake again

I did - got a good photo with my camera, but not one with my phone. It is a beautiful item.

 

[JohnM]

Cerveza time!

 

[RooFlyer]

.... and siesta ready at the back!

 

[JohnM]

Flew to Medellin today. Arrived early afternoon and Juddles' offsider picked me up and took me to my accommodation in the hip Poblado area.

Mate, THANK YOU!

Spent a bit of time orientating myself and organising a 4h walking tour tomorrow morning.

Not much to eat during the day so figured a decent steak at an Argentinian-style parrllla was the go for dinner (ahem, really an excuse to satisfy my addiction to Argie Malbec .)

An excellent Catena Zapata (sensational winery to visit BTW). High altitude vineyard suggests Valle de Ucco. 13.5% and velvet tannins. The refinement of these modern Argie Malbecs is insane.



Plain, but very good carpaccio and bife chorizo. Pleasant outdoors on a balmy evening.

Dang! Pics are now refusing to upload. I'll post this and see if I can get some response in a fresh pane.

 

[JohnM]

 

[juddles]

John, which restaurant was that?

 

[JohnM]

Strolled back through central Poblado. Man, this place BUZZES like you would not believe! It would have to be the most concentrated nightlife precinct I've ever seen! And, guys, the eye candy is great .

Stopped for a cerveza chaser just up the road to wind up a very pleasant evening.











Life is just so brutal...

 

[JohnM]

John, which restaurant was that?

I'm almost embarrassed to say that it was a bit on the edge of Poblado and a hotel restaurant at that, but it was at the Dann Carlton. I spotted it this afternoon and just hankered for a steak and a good Malbec.

Poblado centro is fun but it is pretty casual stuff food-wise.

Mind you, I have managed to talk my way into a reservation at Carmen tomorrow night . It's very close by...

Bogota was great for the gold museum especially but Medellin tramples it into the ground on every other measure!

 

[juddles]

The Dann Carlton is one of the most respected hotels in town - no shame there! I get what you say about Poblado - caters mainly for nightlife rather than fine food - despite what my wife says, I DO know about that!! But the coffee shops she recommends are great for that. On the weekend we shall visit some places up on the higher ground - very good places to eat.

As for Carmen, they have GREAT wines. And a very pleasant restaurant.

 

[TomVexille]

Now I want a steak... :evil:

 

[JohnM]

This morning I went on a walking tour of the downtown area of MDE - thanks MrsJuddles for the tip on what turned out to be an excellent thing to do. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting MDE. Very informative about various sights and Colombian history - and of course the 1980s-1990s drug stuff that makes people recoil when you say you're going to Colombia. The tour has no fixed charge - you tip what you believe it was worth or what you can afford.

MDE was once regarded as one of the most dangerous places in the world to visit but it has pulled itself up to be an extremely vibrant place with incredibly friendly people and which is culturally and educationally rich. The famous Botero statues are quite amazing - and there are a lot more of them than what I expected. The guide explained that most Colombians don't really want to remember the conflicted elements of the past; rather they look to a better future. In this regard it reminded me of Rwanda, another place with a highly conflicted past from a similar 20 or so years ago that has risen way out of it - and which is another amazing place to visit IMO.

Harassment by hawkers is non-existent and the Metro is excellent with not a scrap of graffiti. The place is packed with people and buzzes with activity, gazillions of little clean bright yellow taxis buzz about. MDE is also recognised as a major fashion centre with many upmarket shops - as well as plenty selling knock-offs. Typical of many countries with Spanish roots, the people like to dress and groom sharply.

MDE is a lot more appealing than BOG. Not that there was anything wrong with BOG but MDE is fresher, more vibrant. Both cities sit in Andean valleys - as previously mentioned BOG is at 2500m, MDE at 1500m. It is evident that agriculture is very well-developed in the rich soils of the very scenic hills surrounding MDE. I'll be taking a closer look at this with Juddles and his family over the weekend .

What more can I say? Put away your stereotypes; this city and this country are sensational places to visit and open the mind.

I'll now post some pics from my phone using the app.

 

[JohnM]

In the plaza near the main government buildings.

 

[JohnM]

A lovely large plaza across the way in front of the very large library.

 

[JohnM]

Shopping street scene, old justice building converted into a shopping mall.









Church in front of which the prostitutes hang out.

 

[JohnM]

Botero statues!











Sensational stuff!

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, this is an eye-opener. I love the statues, thanks for all the photos.

 

[JohnM]

More Botero.