‘Jungle Jive’, Colombia, Santa Marta, Tayrona National Park, El Cabo San Juan
Smart travelers know to get their feet dirty. This means traveling off the beaten path. The coastal areas of Santa Marta are often overshadowed by the more popular Colombian destinations of Bogota and Cartagena. Maybe it’s better this way. Untouched by resorts, and even civilization, the northern Colombian coastal region of Tayrona National Park is one of Colombia’s best kept secrets. Deserted, exotic and untouched, these beaches are backdropped by the jungle’s of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, and buttress up against the cool breeze of the Caribbean Ocean. Paradise. I half expected... Read The Rest →
‘Lively Atmosphere’, Colombia, Santa Marta, Dreamer Hostel
Here’s a shot of the Dreamer Hostel where I stayed while in Santa Marta, Colombia. Most of the hostels around the world are set up so it’s easy to meet and interact with the other guests. I stayed in an 8- bed dorm in this particular hostel. It sounds a bit cramped but you spend most of your time lounging around the pool, watching a European soccer game or having a drink at the bar. You meet some of the most interesting characters in hostels. Share → Tweet
‘Caribbean Sunset’, Colombia, Cartagena, City Wall
Cartagena is a widely popular tourist destination in Colombia and one of the more beautiful cities in the entire world. Completely walled, the city served as a historic Spanish trading port. More gold and silver came through this city’s walls than in any other port in all of South America during the 17th and 18th century. The city is hot. Made mostly of stone, it can really heat up during the day. At night, a cool breeze keeps the temperature just perfect. Walking through the walled city reminds me of both... Read The Rest →
‘Unsullied Beauty’, Colombia, Bogota, Rosario, Nighttime
Colombia has always been a nation that has bred outlaws and a good part of that is because of the geography of the land. I’m always fascinated to see how the geography of a place has shaped its culture, people and history. Colombia is one of the last few places on the well- trampled Earth that is untouched. From the Andean peaks to the equatorial jungle, there are corners of Colombia that are virtually untouched by humans. As a result, outlaws have been able to hide deep in these corners,... Read The Rest →
‘The Shoemaker’, Colombia, Bogota, Candelaria
Now that I’m back in New York City, I’m finally able to sit down and write properly about Colombia. Bogota is one of the more interesting cities I’ve ever visited. I’d go back any day. Bogota is a city of seven million people. Its urban jungle spills down the side of green mountains into a wide savanna. Arriving by plane, you look down on the Andean Mountains below and see nothing but miles of endless jungle- covered, emerald- filled peaks to the horizon. The highest peaks are even snow capped. Dark... Read The Rest →
‘Into the Heavens’, Colombia, Bogota, Monserrate, Night
The Andean mountains rise up from the urban center of Bogota as if they were reaching to the heavens. In fact, there is actually a monastery atop one of the peaks. It goes by the name of Monserrat. In a country rich with violence and frequent political unrest, Catholicism is the sole civilizing influence that has managed to reach the entire country. Much of the Catholic influence can be attributed to the crafty Jesuits who grafted their Roman mysteries to the ancient pagan rituals and beliefs of prior Colombian civilizations. In... Read The Rest →
‘Rolling Hills’, Colombia, Bogota, Countryside
The mild climate mixed with some of the richest soils in the world has fostered an interesting past for Colombia. Ancient civilizations, able to grow virtually anything, had no need for trade or commerce. Isolation can be used to describe Colombia’s past civilizations. Those who came from foreign places stayed and those who looked to subdue the people already here were entrenched in a long drawn out battle. Most of the time the only way to control the indigenous people was to kill them all. It took the Spanish almost... Read The Rest →
‘Beach Wedding’, Colombia, Cabo San Juan, Tayrona National Park, Nighttime
This photo was taken from the beach hut I slept in overlooking both the ocean and the bay of Cabo San Juan. Tayrona National Park is a hidden gem in the northern jungles of Colombia. The only way to access this particular place in the park is by hiking or chartering a boat. There is a small restaurant and only a few locals who run the place. Due to its isolation, the stars are about as bright as I’ve ever seen them. Thousands upon thousands of stars light up the sky. You... Read The Rest →
‘Central Plaza’, Colombia, Bogota
The climate of Bogota is rather strange. During the day you can easily become sunburned from the equator-strength sun beaming down on the city. At night however, the high altitude of the city brings in a cold that can chill you to the bone. Clouds almost always build throughout the day and a steady amount of precipitation keeps the hills and countryside a deep hue of green. Above is one of the main squares called Plaza de los Periodistas in central Bogota. Share → Tweet