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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Oct 21, 2017 08:00 PM Medellin to Bucaramanga by bus
The North Bus Terminal in Medellin is a huge institution. I managed to change money there at the Western Union office. Then I found the office of the bus company offering a bus service to Bucaramanga. Ticket for 8- hours travel cost me 60000 pesos...
There are low cost airlines in Colombia, so why do I travel by bus? -To see more!
At the beginning the road was climbing the mountains almost to the level of the clouds. Then in innumerable serpentines we were descending to the level of the pastures and rolling hills. We crossed on iron bridge big Magdalena River. After 5 hours of driving green new green mountains appeared and between them - the dam and big artificial lake. Great views!
I decided not to stay in the big city of Bucaramanga, but leave the bus 7 kms earlier - in the colonial town ofGiron.
And here I am - in the stylish old mansion Nieves with a view of the white cathedral. Street guitarist is playing boleros under my wooden balcony. What else you need to be happy?
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Oct 20, 2017 08:00 PM San Andres to Medellin
Catamaran arrived on time and after 3,5 hour on the choppy sea I am back on San Andres trying to organize an excursion around the island. The lop road has 30 kms, so it is not walking distance. Later in the day I will fly to Medellin in continental Colombia.
(later) An old man called Lincoln gave me the little tour of the island in his junk car. Then I boarded LAN flight to Medellin. This city has spectacular location in the deep valley. Going from the distant (40 kms - 9500 pesos) by collectivo minibus it is worth to be at the right window for the views!
I found my Caribe hotel near North bus terminal and took the metro train (2300 pesos) to the center. Medellin is a huge City of many contrasts. You will be impressed by the sea of barrios covering the slopes of the mountains on the both sides. In the certer grey brick churches are closely surrounded by grey buildings from different periods. It if hard to say that it is nice city... Heavy rain in the late afternoon pushed me to go back.
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Oct 19, 2017 08:00 PM East Coast & Catalina
It was raining again in the night but hot sun was already shining when I started a wal along the east coast of Providencia. This part of the 17-km loop road is more flat and gives more sea views. Three Brothers little islands where frigates nest are also visible. In the settlements I saw old and new churches - among them run-down oldest Baptist church on the island. Now I also know that the only beach on the east coast is in Manchineel Bay - close to the southern end... It is very nice -with palms and white sand, but became very narrow during the high tide. So go there, if you like cozy places.... After few days islanders know me already "I saw you on the road" "You were filming on the rock!" It is so nice - I like their smiles... They usually speak 3 languages: English after their ancestors, Spanish and Criollo Ingles - a kind of broken English...
In the afternoon I went to the little sister island of Providencia - Santa Catalina to see remains of the little fort build there by Captain Morgan. Three old cannons are there and at the bottom there is a little, shady beach. It is worth to walk tiny path west (some 20 min) to reach the interesting rock formation called Morgans Head - it really looks like giant head!
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Oct 18, 2017 08:00 PM Sweaty climbing to El Pico
The highest peak on Old Providence island - The Peak or El Pico rises 360 m above the sea. At 8 am I catch near the hospital a minibus going to Bottom House, where traihead is located. Old driver charged 3000 pesos and was very curious: You want to climb alone and without the guide? Yes! Now I know, that it is not possible to lost the way, but it is not easy walk... They built on the trail few excellent wooden bridges and in the lower part also few small shelters but between this points the trail is not well maintained... First problem: you have to take with you plenty of water. It is climbing in the high temperature and humidity. After 30 minutes my shirt was completely wet of sweat... You need to drink. In the lower part trail goes up the little stream - you can wash thee face, but this is not drinking water! The path after night rain was muddy and slippery... Last 30 minutes on the muddy slope is very steep. It took me 2 hours to climb to the top for 360 degrees panoramic view of the island. I did it! Unfortunately the weather was not so clear to enjoy in full ant took best pictures. After an hour I started to walk down and... tropical rain catch me 20 min later. The path converted into the stream... No shelter up there... Can you imagine me an my wet and dirty clothes after such a walk? But what a experience on this remote island! :)
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Oct 17, 2017 08:00 PM Providencia - exploring Western Coast
There is a loop road around the island, local transport (minibuses) are erratic so On the first day I tried to hitchhikke. Oh, no! Motocycles are going up and down but they ask for money... You - the stranger are here to be milked! The tarrif is 5000 pesos from the pier to South West Bay od Bottom House. If you want a taxi (there are few) they ask four times more. So I started to explore west coast hy foot! At the beginning I visited free island museum located in the old, wooden Catholic church - very interesting! In the next village I was in the school, invited to look how they work and meet the kids (see picture). They are just lovely! Then I walked alond the coast beach to beach under the palms and breadfruit trees. It was around 4 pm when I reched probably the nicest beach on the island in South West Bay...
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Oct 16, 2017 08:00 PM Unique Providencia Island
Once this was possession of England, often visited by the pirates like captain Morgan. Colombia captured Old Providence and nearby San Andres after gaining independence. But the English tradition is still alive here and most of it's 5 thousands people speak English. Passports are scanned on arrival, they control also your tourist card. Santa Isabel -
- main village on Providencia is very small. My "Pousada Lia" is conveniently located just opposite the pier. Mr Joe, the manager gave me the best room I had on whole this journey... Next door there is little buffet where they prepare ordered meals...
-You can change your dollars in the supermarket! The official rate is 2930 pesos but they are giving only 2600 - so it is highly recommended to pay using VISA in all places they accept it.
After a big laundry (it is so hot that everything is dry in the morning) I am ready for the walk aroun this beautiful island - it is only 7 kms long and 4 kms wide!
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Oct 15, 2017 08:00 PM To Old Providencia Island
I had the reservation for catamaran, but unpaid. Will they take me there?
Before sunrise I started walk to the pier. The streets of San Andres were empty. But in the little garden near marina I saw a group of the people staying in the line. It must be here! In the Shack surrounded by palms black skin lady were working with the laptop. -My name is... you cancelled my reservation because your bank didn't accept my credit cards.... -You will be OK!
Oh my God! Lucky me! I will be sailing anyway! I paid by card 280000 pesos - like 100 USD for roundtrip journey, got a boarding pass, sea sickness pill and bag of drinking water. Before boarding there was again detailed baggage searching by primitive policeman - not a pleasure!
We departed with 30 min delay - at 8.30. Little Catamaran has one cabin housing in the plane-like chairs around 60 people. Day was sunny, but the sea... Sea was rough! Advice to fast the belts really makes a sense on this route. Even a walk to the toilet is very serious problem. I used catamarans to get to Monserrat and to Barbuda but there the sail was much nicer! After 3,5 hours in the choppy sea I saw the Old Providence island. The first feeling was: it is similar to Pitcairn island - also mountainous and same size! Soon we docked in the tiny Santa Isabel village. One more dream came true!
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Oct 14, 2017 08:00 PM To San Andres Island
Taxi drivers in San Jose charge 30 USD for transfer to airport. Let you know that on Avenida 2, opposite the La Merced Church you will find little terminals of 2 bus companies offering to drop you in aeropuerto for 525-700 colones - around 1 dollar.
Since long time I was dreaming about San Andres and Providencia Colombian Islands. The day arrived! The only access is by air, so I am flying there with Avianca on free award ticket - Avianca joined Star Alliance...
San Andres lies 150 km from Nicaragua, but 1300 from homeland Bogota. We were landing in the clouds... In the airport they checked passports again and stamped Tourist Card (you must buy this card for 104000 Colombian pesos before boarding any flight to San Andres).
Then the customs were serching my luggage - why?
Finally I went out the terrminal building. Water onthe streets - heavy tropical storm was in the middle of the day.
I found my way to Sea Star Inn - little pension located in the side street.
A/c room with shared bath costs here 25 $. When I went to the town it was already dark. I was surprised by the number of giant and elegant duty-free shops. Colombian families are coming here for shopping. But I did not find any place to change my dollars to local pesos? No money changers, Bank is closed, tomorro is national holiday. Will they take me by catamaran to Providencia?
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Oct 14, 2017 08:00 PM To San Andres Island
Taxi drivers in San Jose charge 30 USD for transfer to airport. Let you know that on Avenida 2, opposite the La Merced Church you will find little terminals of 2 bus companies offering to drop you in aeropuerto for 525-700 colones - around 1 dollar.
Since long time I was dreaming about San Andres and Providencia Colombian Islands. The day arrived! The only access is by air, so I am flying there with Avianca on free award ticket - Avianca joined Star Alliance...
San Andres lies 150 km from Nicaragua, but 1300 from homeland Bogota. We were landing in the clouds... In the airport they checked passports again and stamped Tourist Card (you must buy this card for 104000 Colombian pesos before boarding any flight to San Andres).
Then the customs were serching my luggage - why? Are foreign tourists so rare here?
Finally I went out the terrminal building. Water, water on the streets - heavy tropical storm was passing here in the middle of the day.
I found my way to Sea Star Inn - little pension located in the side street.
A/c room with shared bath costs here 25 $. When I went to the town it was already dark. I was surprised by the number of giant and elegant duty-free shops. Colombian families are coming here for shopping. But I did not find any place to change my dollars to local pesos? No money changers,
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Oct 13, 2017 08:00 PM Bus to San Jose
Puerto Viejo has its kind of charm. It is sleepy, bit dirty and... expensive. Today I took the bus from Puerto Viejo to the capital of Costa Rica - San Jose. It is nice, a/c bus - the ticket for 5 hours travel costs only 10 USD. On the route we passed sea port of Limon and then climbed green mountains to the level of the clouds. Yes. there waa a fog in the middle of the day. After arrival to the capital I was walking to my cheap pension Trianon close to the National Museum. No, it is not a palace, but you can have here your room with shared bath and breakfast for just 14 $. Dona Aida - the host - is a charming person and offers also complimentary breakfast. I left my backpack and took the walk through the center of San Jose - Again after some 30 years... In the Saturday's evening the streets were full of local people. I was surprised by the new, stylish gate to China Town... but once you cross the gate you will see catholic church La Soledad and John Lennon sitting on the square bench. The ornate building of Correos and Telegrafos is still the nicest in the city... Once it was National Theater, but now it is not so bright...
In San Jose center many streets are converted to the pedestrian zones. Police is present, but I after sunset I decided to go back to my pension... Tomorrow I plan to fly to Colombia...
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