Category: Antarctica to Alaska

Wednesday, 20 February 2019 Bogota, Colombia   You’ve probably been thinking that the blog has been a bit dreary the past few days, and today will be no exception. The problem is. Time. Have been distracted by other issues that need attending to in order to sort out the Mexico sector of the trip, which… Read more

Tuesday, 19 February 2019 Bogota, Colombia Sad to be leaving Villa de Leyva after only one night. Could happily have stayed a few more days. Nice relaxing place to be. About an hour’s drive to Punte de Boyaca. This being the battlefield where Simon Bolivar defeated the Spanish and thus claimed independence for Colombia. His… Read more

Monday, 18 February 2019 Villa de Leyva, Colombia   Boom. Boom. Boom. Goes the music. At half past one in the sodding morning. Have to be up in three and a half hours. It doesn’t stop. It’s coming from outside the hotel. Get dressed to go down to reception to ask them to get whoever… Read more

Sunday, 17 February 2019 Pitolito, Colombia   So. Today’s schedule is. Depart hotel 1130hrs. Arrive airport 1215hrs. Flight departs Pitolito airport 1345hrs Lands Bogota 1455hrs. 3hr drive to Villa Leyva, north of Bogota. Overnight in Villa Leyva. However. Only two of those happened. Woken at 0600hrs by stupid woman in adjacent room Skyping on her… Read more

Saturday, 16 February 2019 San Augustin, Colombia   For the first time on this trip, I have absolutely nothing planned for today. Previous so called days off have been busy with admin and sorting next sectors of the trip out. Not today. A true day off doing nothing. But. A busy day doing nothing. Leisurely… Read more

Friday, 15 February 2019 San Augustin, Colombia   Great view for breakfast on the terrace overlooking the valley towards San Augustin. Although it’s only about 4,000ft, it’s flipping hot and humid even at this early hour. Have 3hrs walking around the San Augustin archaeological park. A funerary complex dating from…no one really knows exactly. 200BC… Read more

Thursday, 14 February 2019 San Augustin, Colombia   It’s been rammed home that the maximum luggage weight for the small twin prop aircraft that’s going to fly from Bogota to Pitilito in the south west of Colombia is 15kg. Rucksack is bordering on 15kg and daysack is about 4kg. Rules are for the obedience of… Read more

Wednesday, 13 February 2019 Bogota, Colombia   Plenty of road closures in the early morning drive to Quito airport due to the Presidential visit. Quito’s side streets busy with the rush hour of people walking to work. Plenty of street stalls selling sundry stuff. Traffic is a nightmare and told it will take an hour… Read more

Tuesday, 12 February 2019 Quito, Ecuador   Wake up naturally at 0630hrs without an alarm. Oh. My. God. Am turning into a morning person. This will not do. Have been going to bed at 2130hrs and asleep by 2230hrs. Altitude does this to you. My normal routine has been disturbed. Bed at midnight and a… Read more

Monday, 11 February 2019 Lasso, Ecuador   Having been up to 12-14,000ft in Bolivia and Peru with no breathing difficulties, felt like I was constantly taking my last gasp all through the night, even though only at 10,000ft. Short rail journey from Riobamba to La Moya up in the Andes to see a local community… Read more