Dec 20 to 25, 2010
I left the couple of days after the school session ended on December 17, 2010. All went well including my flight from San Francisco to Miami. I was warmly welcome by the immigration after asking where am I staying and how many days. I got the arrival stamp in my passport and met my pick up from City Discovery who took me to Cosmos 100 Hotel in Calle 100. It was a bit cold but dry that day. Wow! I Was in a 5 star hotel! jeah!
View of the lobby of the hotel from the 8th floor.
The room was apartment style with separate living room and bedroom. I walked for about 5 blocks upon after checking in. The hotel has a strong security - with private security with guard dogs at the main entrance, key-activated elevator, key-activated main entrance door to the guest rooms (8th floor), and key activated door to my room, of course. The city where I stayed is commercialized and it was the embassy area. It was quite far from downtown and La Candelaria (about 20 minutes including traffic), but I'm happy with the location.
The following day Dec 22, Fernando Garcia from Bogotravels came to pick me up for my first tour with him to the Monserrate Hill.
Monserrate Hill, Bogota 12.22.10
Monserrate Hill on the background, Bogota 12.22.10
Victor was the driver. Fernando was a great tour guide. He spoke English and still learning. He was a great tour guide. He told me what to expect and easy-going. He took me to Monserrate Hill. We took the train uphill and cable downhill. I had a great view of the city of Bogota and saw the colonial chapel on top of the hill.
Colonial Church built by Spaniards in the Monserrate Hill, Bogota 12.22.10
Inside colonial church in Monserrate Hill 12.22.10
Local foods in Monserrate Hill, Bogota 12.22.10
Fernando Morales, the cool local tour guide from Bogotravels in the colonial church in Monserrate Hill 12.22.10
This street goes to downtown Bogota from the Monserrate Hill.
Trip to the town of Zipaquira too about one drive from Bogota. It was a smooth drive tom the town and I felt the welcoming spirit of the people when Fernando, my tour guide took me to the a "tienda" in front of the big cathedral in the plaza. The food local snack made of corn soy beans was good plus a shot of a drink like "chicha" (sorry I don't remember the name of the drink). I don't speak Spanish but I survived!
In the Town of Zipaquira, Colombia...with colonial structures and cathedrals. I felt the spirit of the Christmas here! Jeah! 12.23.10
Local Colombianos and Colombianas in Zipaquira 12.23.10
Cathedral during colonial times in Zipaquira 12.23.10
The Salt Cathedral was the main destination in Zipaquira. It was amazing to see the salt formation on the walls of the cave and the curvings done inside depicting the Stations to the Cross in Christ's crucifixion. I appreciate it though I'm not a Roman Catholic but a Methodist.
Entrance to the Salt Mines and Salt Cathedral, Zipaquira 12.23.10
Entering the Salt Mine and Salt Cathedral. Statue of a salt miner next to me. 12.23.10
In the Salt Cathedral, Zipaquira. The light system was just amazing. 12.23.10
Amazing and so meaningful!
Mine wall is made of solid rocks and natural salt.
The Nativity scene inside the Salt Cathedral. It's timely. i was there during the week of Christmas.
Just for the sake of photo....Inside the Salt Cathedral. But I am really thankful to my Lord for a very safe and successful trip to Colombia. 12.23.10
Cross curved from the salt rocks inside the Salt Cathedral 12.23.10
Train within the park where the Salt Cathedral is located 12.23.10
La Candelaria, Bogota...A touristic colonial plaza with many hostels, local restaurants, night clubs, etc. I did not stay in this area. Hostels were not my choices but hotels. It's best to visit this during the day with a local guide which I did. 12.24.10
I am sitting in the middle of the road of the colonial town of La Candelaria, Bogota 12.24.10
La Candelaria, Bogota. It was cold that day! 12.24.10
One of the colonial alleys in La Candelaria...notice the Christmas decorations up in the middle of the alley between hostels and local residences.
Fernando Morales, my cool tour local tour guide, and I in a coffee nook in La Candelaria. I love Colombian coffee. 12.24.10
Old colonial church in La Candelaria, Bogota 12.24.10
Alchiras, local bread sticks, a treat from Fernando. Delicious! 12.24.10
Graffiti art work in La Candelaria depicting indigenous people 12.24.10
A 400+ years old colonial structure in La Candelaria, Bogota 12.24.10
La Candelaria, a colonial town in Bogota, Colombia. Indigenous Zipa used to wash clothes and do chores in this area where water source was from the surrounding mountains. 12.24.10
Tamal, a local special delicacy made of rice, meat, carrot wrapped with banana leaf. Lunch then tour in Monserrate Hill 12.22.10
Lobby of Cosmos 100 Hotel in Bogota, Colombia where I stayed
My breakfast in the hotel. I tried the Colombian breakfast (tamal and soup) the next day. 12.22.10
Colombian colon (US$1.00=1,750 colon). I was confused for a couple of days with their money with big denomination. I am millionaire in Colombia with the money they use! Hehehehe!
I try to travel light...not to forget my Water Audio waterproof head set, swim goggles and swim trunk...Jeah!
A piece of rock with salt from the Salt mine in Zipaquira 12.23.10
Unfortunately, the Gold Museum was closed for the holiday when we got to the gate. Overall, I had a great experience and tour in Bogota. All went well as planned.
Here are other resources that are nice to look at...
Salt Cathedral (not my video...found it on the Internet):
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/regions-places/south-america/colombia_saltcathedral.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmLkAt_xMpU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Cathedral_of_Zipaquirá
Zipaquira
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipaquirá
Colombia
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia
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