This was my trip number 12 to Colombia and I had a total of 3.5 weeks there after a few days in Madrid and 5 days in Cairo. I spent the first 5 days in Bogota and then decided to head to Medellin for the Flowers festival. Medellin is an awesome town, nestled in the hills. This time I flew Satena, which meant I landed right in the city instead of the airport way out of town (although if its your first time this airport is great for the scenic ride in). I stayed in casa Kiwi, right near Park Lleras which was a great location. Although not a fan of hostels, as far as they go, this was very good, clean, great location and friendly staff. I was lazy in Medellin so hardly got any photos!!

After that, I returned to Bogota for the weekend, and then on the Monday flew into Pereira. I met Isabel at the airport and she showed me around town. I really liked the city. Once again nestles into the hills. This region (coffee region) is supposed to be one of the most scenic in Colombia and it certainly was. On the first day I just had a look around the town.

At night, Isabel took me to a bar/restaurant on top of the hill overlooking the city. I actually think it was another sister city, that joined Pereira?? The place name was Café El Cafetal. It was really good. Great food and it has a balcony that overlooks the city. Apparently this place and the discos nearby are huge on the weekends.

The next day we had booked a trip to the Ecotermales San Vincente. These are in the mountains and are essentially hot springs heated by the nearby volcano. We took a day tour. The bus goes through the mountains and via Santa Rosa Cabel. This is a charming little town worth a wander around the streets. Then you go along the mountains ridges to the pools area. The scenery is spectacular and although my photos did not work out too well, give an idea of the country side.

The actual Ecotermales are awesome. You start of getting hanged and going into the sauna, which is heated by the volcanic steam. You then go into the pools for a swim, with really warm water (and bath off in the cool water nearby). They have about 4 or 5 different pools. The \re is also a trout farm there where u can fish and 2 x walks and lunch are included. The group I went with was a total of 35,000 pesos each all inclusive (book at cra 13 no 15-62 Esquina risaraldo).

There were more places I wanted to see around here, but too of them, I as unfortunately advised not to go because of FARC activity (Salento and Parque Ucumari). Anyway, maybe another time.

I spent another day in Pereira and really enjoyed it. Isabel invited me to stay with her family and it was a great experience. The Colombians are sooooo hospitable and reconfirmed again what a great country this is. From here, I caught a local bus to Armenia, which took a little over an hr. I had a look around the city and then moved on to Cali, which was another 4 hrs.

It was great to be back in Cali. I booked into the Grenada Real again, which is next to Avienda Sexta and close to Chippichappy. Cali is a great city. Not so much for its beauty, but it has a very lively nightlife and great people jaja and of course the women are as beautiful as they say (spooky, ungodly beauty whatever is in the water here is good stuff jaja).

Now for night life in Cali. I found a great post on poorbut website, which gave some great ideas. I will mention the nightlife here as have gone through the sites etc of this city before. Initially, I would go to Reggae and Rock in Chippichappy. This is just a little bar in the mall, but it is really cool. Great staff good drinks and gets a really good crown from 5 onwards. From Thurs to sun it was a big crowd.

On the Thursday, I went to a place called the London Bar. This was really good with a big crown. The music was salsa type. I also found another bar 9cant remember the name) just up from here which played rock music. Both were great. These are near Mojitos and down the road from Palos de moguer (another great bar/restaurant). I had been informed from the web about a bar called subterraneo. This is in La Luna, about a 15 minute taxi ride. It has an upstairs bar area, and then a cover charge area downstairs. When you go down its huge, like a sort of Flintstones set. It had a huge crowd; great atmosphere and I thought it would be my new house. The music was salsa type with little bits of rock thrown in. Women amazing!! Jaja. It closes at 4. The next night I started at the same places. The bar in Chippi chappo was awesome. Then I went back to the London bar etc, but they were dead. Must be a different night for different places. I decided to go back to Subterraneo, but it was dead as well. By the time I found a good bar, it was just closing. This place was called Prada and looked like it would have been unreal. Some others that looked good were Mr. Mojitos, and Mystica, avienda Sexta area.

There was a big festival at Lake Camina this weekend, but I was too late to book. On Sunday, I had been told about a bar called Tienda Viaga. Everyone I asked said it was unreal, so I went for a look. We arrived about 4 pm and it was already packed. Its just a dance fest place with salsa and other Latin America tunes. Great atmosphere and recommend people go for a look.

The rest of my trip was in Bogota, but have made many posts etc on what to do their so wont write mote here. Ohh except for this place in Chia Andres del Carne Res (sp). I have heard so much about this place and went there on a Sunday arvo AWSOME is all I can say and is a must for people to go to.