Smiling faces. Ever ready to help me. This is how I would describe people of Colombia in continent South America.
Though I could not grasp their Spanish, but I was grateful for their cheerful gestures. And their spirit of trust made me adore them. I was so amazed when my hostel did not accept payment while check in, telling me that they will charge the total amount at the time of check out only. I have traveled worldwide but never had experienced that before. Similarly for all the sightseeing tours, I took to travel in interiors of Colombia, the local travel agency did not charge in advance and took the payment on completion of tour. This experience made my travel to Colombia so unique.
After happiness quotient, now I am talking about my walking spree in Bogota and some intense moments of photography. Green and serene, with scenic hilly backdrop, Bogota is the capital of Colombia. Pleasant weather but unpredictable. One moment raining, other moment sunshine, such was my experience in beautiful Bogota. Sometime it used to get so cold, making me shiver. All the time I carried umbrella and light jacket, as was never sure of moody weather. But I enjoyed fully my long walks in woods. And equally unpredictable like Bogota weather as I had no specific plans for my walks. Just did all walks on instinct choosing unusual trails, anywhere and everywhere.
I did Bogota sightseeing tour in taxi with my ever smiling driver and English speaking guide. But being an addicted walker I cherished my walks most. Walks do not tire me, walks rejuvenate me. In between snacking to provide me much needed carbs for my ceaseless walk.
Also did short hike to Mt Montserrat, a revered shrine and an imposing landmark of Bogota. There are cable car and funicular options available for the shrine but even though it was getting cold and clouds covered the sky, announcing showers to me, still I preferred hike. Views were stunning on the way. I loved each bit of scenic vistas all around.
I traveled by road to many heritage sites of Colombia, in deep interiors, my experience to those amazing sites I will share in different posts, later.
hi
first time an article on bogota that i have read , i always imagined that it will not be as serene as u have said but maybe i did not know this as one generally reads news in between here and there
fully agree with the concept of long walks , the sights n sounds that one sees are actually special
rgds
sumit
We do not know unless we experience ourselves and that too I experienced as solo woman traveler
I would love to know about the walks you took, where did you walk? Just in cities, with a map or just wandering? We love to walk too and sometimes without a map is best but maybe not in Colombia?
I do my research well on the area and wander. Sometimes I take local guide along.
Wow, not the Bogota I was expecting. Great post and pictures you got there!
Pictures looking fab! I was never too sure what to think about Bogotá but it looks pretty decent!
For me it was memorable experience.
Lovely pictures, walking around somewhere just taking in the views is a great way to see somewhere new
Yes sometimes just wandering in wilderness gives us joy.
How are people in Bogota? Do they like to be photographed? I do street photography, but in some locations people hate beeing on camra.
If clicking particular person or a group then I always take their permission. But I found locals very smiling.
I smiled as I read this post, I lived in Bogota for 3 months while I traveled through Colombia , I love this cold city so much. Did you get to explore up near La Candelaria, the laneways and amazing street art at all?
Lots of street art everywhere. I wandered in city even at night too, in narrow lanes unexplored.
Great pictures, even I love walking because in taxi you may miss the feel of place. I haven’t read much about Bogota, but surely South America is so unique that every country out there gives a different experience. 🙂
Absolutely Anushka.
I am sure you had such a wonderful and memorable experience walking, and you wont have the same rushing through the place in a taxi or bus. I believe that walking is one of the best ways to explore a place. Your pictures have come out beautiful
I am an obsessed walker Neha.
The Bogota that the media portrays here is quite scary. Thanks for sharing this. Atleast now, I saw the beautiful side of this place. More power to your blog.
Thank you Neil. This is the role we bloggers play by sharing our personal experiences. Not going by the hearsay.
Hi Indu! I can’t wait to read more of your posts from Colombia as the country is on my bucket list! It’s really surprising they are charging after the service, especially travel agents. It’s seems they trust people a lot. I’m with you on the walks, I much prefer walking than going somewhere by car. When I was in Georgia their idea of hiking was “let’s drive up there, and then you can walk 5 minutes to take a picture” – and it’s all about the journey, not the destination!
So true. Many times journey is more fascinating than the destination.
Bogota looks absolutely fabulous. I am sure I will love my walks in this pretty city. The ever changing weather mood reminded me of Finland where they say “If you don’t like the weather, wait for 5 mins !”
Good one. Wait for 5 min. I did so all the time.
I didn’t know that Bogota was such a green city. It looks so pretty! I would probably take the cable car to go up the shrine and hike my way down.
Bogota is pretty Joanna.
Hello, I have checked full blog, this is awesome and lovely pics of Bogota. How beautifully you capture all in a camera, I really appreciate this and the way of your explanation is excellent! After seeing your pictures, I also want to travel this place, this will be my next tour. I travel some place of India on Palace On Wheel luxury train. This train gives me royal feel and treat me like queen, I also recommend you to once travel with this luxury train, you will get awesome experience, affordable expenditure and capture all beautiful places and add one more royal experience in
your travel diaries.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful page of your travel diary. 🙂
I did so in luxury heritage train The Fairy Queen it was an unforgettable experience too.