We arrive in Lima at 4:30 on Christmas Eve.

We have no plans and are dropped into a city big 10 million.

Eduardo our Uber driver is the best. He buys us Inca Kola and takes us on a beautiful route by the Pacific Ocean. We arrive at our hotel and the staff is so kind. We immediately head out for champagne as we are told that fireworks & champagne are Peruvian Christmas Eve traditions.

We walk to Kennedy Park – cat park – and find a Catholic Church / beautiful. Say a prayer. Find a festive restaurant right on the square. Full on Christmas decorations are all around us and we have a fabulous Christmas Eve celebratory dinner. We head back to our room for a Birdseye view of the city’s amazing Fireworks at midnight. While the best views are from our room – we need to go outside & enjoy the revelry in the street-fun!

Merry Christmas!

Cartagena – Caribbean beach vibe, amazing old city center. Fabulous food / lots of fun

Medellín- what a surprise.situated in a valley between mountains. These guys are looking forward in a very progressive way- kudos to them. A very fun city.

Bogota- huge city that hugs the mountains. Lovely neighborhoods. Big city.

The Colombian people are wonderful. Warm friendly beautiful. They make their wonderful country a delight to visit. Fabulous food. Wonderful art. Fun music. We will return!

Bogota is at an elevation of around 7000 feet.

It edges right up to the mountains – beautiful.

Atop one of the mountains is Monserrat- a beautiful church. Cafe. Restaurant.

There are 2 choices to get to the top – walk through pilgrims trail or take the tram.

We chose the pilgrimage – beautiful views of the city, fabulous flora along the way. And …what a slog!😁 it was a 1300 foot steep climb in less than 1.5 miles. We were over 10,000 at the top. Yea- I was feeling every step!

And worth every step!

The biggest tourist attraction in Bogota is the Gold Musuem and it does not disappoint.

It is details the rich natural resources of the country – a bunch of gold, platinum, silver, copper & emeralds–crazy! And how they have been used since beginning of time. And how European conquers stole their resources.

The attention to detail & craftsmanship is amazing. The museum does an excellent job of describing the rituals of native people.

Upon arrival in a big city we take a walking tour. It is a great way to get a sense of the city. We walk the streets learning our way around. And get great tips on fun places to visit and good cafes. Our guide told us about historical & political happenings. Took us to the Botero museum. Went to a cafe for chicha which we drank out of traditional seed pods. And had a Colombian version of chai tea. He explained that street art was outlawed until a Justin Bieber incident-aargh – and now it is allowed. it is regulated, it is well done.

We went to narrow cobblestone streets. Past hawkers. To a book store learning about Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

And we met fascinating fellow tourists ftom around the world.

Guatape is a cute town with charming architecture and a lake area. It is a tourist favorite and it is beautiful. Easily accessible via bus from Medellin and a great 2 hour ride into the Colombian countryside.

First you see agricultural Colombia. Agriculture. Fields of corn, veggies and flowers.

Small towns with tradition front & center. Stores. Cafes. Mechanics. Homes.

Guatape while a tourist center has beautifully maintained architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, cafes & stores.

It was a great day trip and the chance to sneak a peak of Colombian countryside.

Yes – Botero is painting!