Hi everyone! Teddy here 💕💗🐶
Well, you know if I’m blogging, my people are off travelling and on another adventure 😀🐶🐶🐶. Si, es verdad! (Yes, it’s true). This time they are off exploring Colombia and we three furry kids are staying at our friend Marge’s. So, lots of people asked Kim and John “why Colombia?”. Well…why not? Lol! I think we might find out over the next couple of weeks as their adventures take them from Bogota to Cartagena ….stay tuned!
They left on Thursday with a bit of a puddle jumper flight….Saskatoon to Minneapolisi, to New York and finally Bogota…..that was a long day. The last leg of their flight was interesting….lots of turbulence. John said it can’t be good when the pilot comes on the speaker and in a panicked voice says “ sit down and put your seatbelt on for your safety,”. It was a roller coaster and Kim came out of her seat! But they made it safe and sound, and the driver was ready to pick them up and take them to the hotel. They arrived at 1 am….time to sleep!
The next day was an early start at 9 am. The driver and guide picked them up. They had a lot in store for their private tour today…..they toured the city of Bogota, the gold museum, the historic square, and did a bit of shopping for emeralds….
A bit about this big city
Bogotá is Colombia’s sprawling, high-altitude capital. La Candelaria, its cobblestoned center, features colonial-era landmarks like the neoclassical performance hall Teatro Colón and the 17th-century Iglesia de San Francisco. It’s also home to popular museums including the Museo Botero, showcasing Fernando Botero’s art, and the Museo del Oro, displaying pre-Columbian gold pieces.
First stop on this tour:
Monserrate a high Mountain over 10,000 feet high that dominates the city center of Bogotá. It rises to 3,152 metres (10,341 ft) above the sea level, where there is a church (built in the 17th century) with a shrine.
Well folks, this is an interesting place to start because altitude is not Kim’s friend…..she felt the effects right away when the plane landed. But, she knows to go slow, and she loves this part of the day. Beautiful trees and flowers.
Here’s something that was new to Kim….Colombia has up to 90% of the worlds emerald market. Can you say time to shop? Lol. Their guide Caesar took them to some reputable places to browse. You have to be careful here, lots of tourism means you can get scammed. So, with some help Kim is bringing back an emerald ring….she didn’t break the bank because she said you can buy ones for thousands of dollars….yikes!
Next stop was the gold museum. If you come here, Kim says you must do that. Now, she isn’t really a museum person, but she loved this one and they spend a couple of hours here…
The museum displays a selection of pre-Columbian gold and other metal alloys, such as Tumbaga, and contains the largest collection of gold artifacts in the world in its exhibition rooms on the second and third floors. Together with pottery, stone, shell, wood and textile objects, these items, made of a– to indigenous cultures – sacred metal, testify to the life and thought of the different societies which lived in present-day Colombia before the Spanish conquest of the Americas.
Last but not least, they wandered through downtown and headed to the old colonial town-La Candelaria. They could only go into the old cathedral. All the other municipal buildings that are still in use were closed due to expected protests. Protests happen weekly here. People are unhappy with their corrupt government, and are wanting change. The police were out, but Kim and John didn’t see any activity. They have seen this before, in Peru.
Last but not least, they finished off their day at a great restaurant called Andre DC. A great recommendation by their guide….you know they like their food. Lol
A very busy day! Kim is trying out her Spanish….lots of folks in Colombia don’t speak English, so she is trying to pick her Spanish back up again quickly. She said it is fun though. O mi Dios! (Oh my god).
They are off to their next destination on Saturday. A quick flight to coffee country!
Later folks! Have a pawsome day and May your life be full of adventures! 🐶🐶🐶❤️💕💗
My Teddy Tales aka Freddy’s Fables 