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

[love_the_life]

Intending to do much hammock swinging?

 

[JohnM]

Intending to do much hammock swinging?

I left PJM at home . She thinks I'm headed for a desperate and violent death here.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

This place is just so cool - er, the vibe that is - the weather is Singapore-like steam.

 

[JohnM]

Ate at hip La Cevicheria, a small(ish) place that could be a victim of its own success - but seems not to be. Top-rated in LP, Anthony Bourdain rave - you name it.

It was cool. A couple of house whites and reds made the wine list. No worries - the Chilean SB house white with the Ceviche Colombiano hit the spot perfecto.

I intend to come back tomorrow night for the Cerviche Peruiano...

Their homemade picante sauce is insane - as my late surgeon mate would say: "That will spot-weld your haemorrhoids!"

 

[JohnM]

OK, a stroll around old town this afternoon.









And another Botero!

 

[JohnM]

And some more.

 

[JohnM]

And from tonight.

 

[love_the_life]

The old town looks interesting; not so sure about those high rises in the distance but am sure they have their place somewhere.
The hot sauce looks well hot as well. Did it add a bit of fire to the dish?

 

[juddles]

A circuit on one of the coaches is fun - the inevitable commentary from the driver is unnecessary to understand - it is the feeling and sights. And I love Colombia because you can just ask the driver to "pull over" with his horse and you can jump down and grab a beer then continue with it. None of Australia's drinking-in-public laws here. But also no hooligans. Go figure!

 

[JohnM]

The old town looks interesting; not so sure about those high rises in the distance but am sure they have their place somewhere.
The hot sauce looks well hot as well. Did it add a bit of fire to the dish?

Fire!? A few micrograms blew the top off! It was insane.

 

[JohnM]

A circuit on one of the coaches is fun - the inevitable commentary from the driver is unnecessary to understand - it is the feeling and sights. And I love Colombia because you can just ask the driver to "pull over" with his horse and you can jump down and grab a beer then continue with it. None of Australia's drinking-in-public laws here. But also no hooligans. Go figure!

Colombians would have to be some of the most cheerful people I have ever encountered!

I walk around the streets in the entertainment areas here and feel GOOD - unlike in Northbridge, Carlton and the equivalent places in other parts of Australia. Like you say, mate, no f-wit hooligans.

 

[JohnM]

Spent some time this morning wandering around funky Getsemeni. It's old, but outside the walls of true Old Town. Lots of bars, backpacker hostels, street art.

 

[JohnM]

The policia burn around the place on trail bikes (universally the case in S America), often two to a bike.



Nicely-done exhibition centre with one of the ubiquitous yellow taxis - mostly Hyundais smaller than the pestiferous Getz. Taxis are universally clean and bright, inside and out and yet to encounter a surly driver.



Entrance to Old Town from the Getsemeni side.

 

[JohnM]

The massive Castillo de San Felipe, the largest fort built by the Spanish in any of their colonies. It was never overrun by any attackers.





Afternoon sun over old town from the fort. I should mention that old town Cartagena has been World Heritage listed since about 1991.



Went to Bocagrande today. It had one redeeming building - the heritage-listed Caribe Hotel built in 1941.

 

[JohnM]

Just across the street from my boutique hostal is the Charleston Santa Teresa hotel - in the Leading Hotels of the World group. Scoped the inside restaurant menu but felt that outdoors suits the vibe better here, especially as the monster thunderstorm this afternoon has cleared the air somewhat.

Some ceviche to start and the grilled langoustine to follow. Again, a Chilean SB fits the bill.

An excellent band, with a sensational violinist, filled out the Caribbean Nights groove. Top it off with some ostentatious weddings (at least three) in the vicinity using the horse-drawn carriages and it's a pretty cool final night in Colombia .

Still sitting taking in the music and using the free - and, as is very often the case here, password-free - WiFi at the venue. Try getting THAT in Australia...



Dang! The app is saying I'm not logged in or don't have permission when trying to upload more pics.

I'll post this then try again.

 

[JohnM]

 

[JohnM]

Live music is the go in many bars and restaurants. This band was in the bar on the ramparts just above and over the way from where I ate.



Poked my head inside the hotel. A bit too OTT for my taste, so glad I ate in the outside venue.





Spent a bit more time wandering, taking in the excellent eye candy and appreciating the absence of drunk yobbos. Chilled night.

 

[JohnM]

Full moon rising CTG-BOG this evening - through fuzzy 1A window on all-whY aircraft (seat chosen before I was aware of this LA Colombia issue )



Now in the LA lounge. Reasonable, but no Louis Roederer - only Argentinian Chandon sparkling (they have a massive operation at Mendoza - as noted in my Mendoza TR.). It's pleasant enough - rather light.

Lounge is the open type overlooking the duty free area and staring across at the AV lounge.



Overnight down to SCL, long layover tomorrow, then over to MAD tomorrow evening, with further connection to HEL.

BB, you still tuned in? Do you and Pushka want to run the book on lost luggage !

 

[Bindibuys]

Yes, still on this thread, also noting the delays/cancellations with DrRon's TR.
These things happen all the time, but ask any Dr/nurse what its like in ER on the full moon, same stuff, just more intense.

 

[JohnM]

Well, as I contemplate Colombia over a truly excellent Chilean SB (see wine thread for details) in the BOG LA lounge tonight, what do I conclude?

First, ignore all your friends and acquaintances who, if like mine, expressed terror at the tought of coming here - but have never been here . Also, put aside any of your own stereotypes because they are bound to be wrong.

Colombia is the cleanest country in S America IME (Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil). Minimal rubbish in the streets and next to no graffiti. Street art is common but it is often 'true' art (ie. birds, people - not abstract stuff.)

As previously mentioned, I have found Colombians the most cheerful people IME in S America. That is not to say Chileans, Argentinians and so on are unfriendly; rather those folks generally seem more dour than Colombians. An expression that I have heard a lot in Colombia, that I have not (at least noticeably) heard in those other countries is 'con gusto' which my pidgin Espanol suggests means something along the the lines of 'with pleasure'. I even got it from the guy checking BP/passport at the entry to security tonight! Juddles can probably elaborate.

I've already waxed lyrical about the mellow vibe overlying the groovy buzz in the bar/resto areas. It is just so nice to partake of that and not be concerned that some drunk (or worse) yobbo could suddenly stagger into you with unpredicatble consequences.

There is a high fashion consciousness that many young women work to beautifully exhibit, mostly without being too OTT. That further enhances the street scene! And, I hasten to add, I'm sure that ladies visiting could find some equally nice eye candy in the cool dudes with the dark Latin looks and style!

And of course, we must remember the sensational Botero sculptures - unique to Colombia!Q

As noted previously, the parallels of Colombia with Rwanda have astounded me. Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa - and would run a close second to Singapore - seriously! Far cleaner than Australia. And the Rwandans are a cheerful lot, too.

I'm not suggesting everything is perfect in either Colombia or Rwanda, but to me at least, it is a sobering thought that two countries that have been through so much have come out shining in so many ways.

 

[JohnM]

Hey BB, odds are shortening against lost luggage .