So, here began another trip to Colombia. It took two days and I was well glad to b taking off from Basra airport Irak for the journey to Kuwait, where I would then fly onto Dubai, Paris and then Bogota in a two day journey from hell.

Arriving into Bogota always give one a great feeling – of course it was raining, cold and the traffic chaotic, but the city is really alive.. I checked back into my apart hotel and made a beeline straight for the restaurants and bars of Zona Rosa. I went to the Irish Pub, and one thing can be said – its like I never leave; jaj the same people at the same time, almost at the same tables, and I just slip into my former life!!!

I had a great time in Bogota for the week or so I was there; catching up on all the comforts that are missing from where I work. Of course it included many visits to Wok, the Thai, Asian restaurant that is my favourite. They hardly take my order now – just bring me my two cokes and start the Red Hot (hot is relative in Colombia) Thai curry. Delicious – oh and did I mention that this is for about 16,000 pesos all up, about 8 USD!

As always there are new bars in Colombia, and I went to a new(ish) one with some of the people I know. Its called Socorro and it is very nicely done. It is two streets from the Zona T and has a lower and upper level. It is expensive for Colombia, but attracts a high level crowd and a low level me. Beers 8500 pesos here – que horror. After that I ventured to Kukamakara which is always a favourite bar of mine. It has the live music and gets a great crowd with people dancing on tables etc.

While Bogota is great, I am anxious to get to Medellin, which is a fantastic city and also, much warmer with less rain. I booked by Satena flight and off I went. I down levelled my accommodation this time and stayed at a backpackers called Casa Kiwi. Normally I hate backpackers; not because I have anything specifically against them, but just that I am past the 24 hr party scene that they promote and prefer my privacy. I received my single room there and for those who do like backpackers; it is in an amazing location – two streets from the best restaurants and bars in Medellin.

Medellin probably rates as most foreigner’s favourite city in Colombia. A number of factors result in this perception; the city is very organised, fun, with lots to do. It also has a great climate, hot but not too hot and minimal humidity. The parties, bars and restaurants are excellent and then there’s the central attraction – the locals beauties. Women from Medellin, even when talking about them, draw out the inevitable ohhs and ahhs.

Women from Colombia, and in particular this city, rejoice in the fact that they are women. While quite independent, you will rarely see one who does not aim to look the best that she possibly can. They are extremely feminine and you will be hard pressed to see any western style man hating feminist Nazis hanging around. All in all, they seem to be the epitome of most mens ideals. Anyway, enough of a rant about hot women jaja.

I stayed in Medellin for a bit less than a week. Geny took me to the movies, the zoo and a few other places. I had to leave on the Tuesday morning as I was destined for party week – something known as Semana Santa (holy week to us English speakers). While a great part of Colombia is subdued with religious festivals during this week, they also have large swaths of people who take to the beaches around Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andres Island.

I had had such a good time the year before, that I decided to head back to Cartagena. Now Cartagena is probably rated the most prominent colonial city in the Americas. It is a really beautiful city, where you can get almost lost in the past (if the hawkers back off for a minute and let the magic flow). It was founded in 1533 taking over the traditional lands of the fierce Mocanaes people (whose women fought beside their men. Over time the French and English set their greedy eyes on the strategic port and the walled fortress city was born to protect itself.

The city is well preserved and walking around the old city is an absolute pleasure, admiring the many pastal painted buildings, often with vines and pot-plants decorating the outside. It is filled with many plazas, restaurants, trinket and gem stores, and musicians and performers line the streets. It is so easy to lose track of time while wandering around the streets.

Anyway, I flew in and caught my taxi to Bocogrande, which is the more up market area with hotels etc and the beach. The beach is actually not very nice, brown sand and dirty coloured water, however the carnival that lives and breathe n the beach is fantastic. I went to the same old shoebox hotel I was in the year before, and amazingly the guy remembered me, where I was from and my name even.

He even offered me the same room – for the same price; which as he recalled was about 20,000 more pesos than I paid. When reminded of this subtle fact I expected and received the ‘’ ahh yes yes, I forgot , you got the special price for being a special customer!!!!!’’ Now I am sure his special price for gringo Steve is at least 40% more than the normal price for a Colombian!! Not to whinge – for the first two night I paid 45,000 pesos, and for the last 5 70,000, which is a bargain when you think about it.

I hot tailed it to the beach and it was literally as if I never left. Last year I went to the same spot everyday, where the mamasan put out my seat and served me delicious fruits and drinks. Her boys spotted me a long way away (she sends them out to scout for customers) and literally dragged me to my exact piece of sand. She recognised me straight away and gave me a bear hug. She is a big huge black woman, who controls her area of sand with and motherly, and iron if need be, fist. You can see her in the photo, and if you ever go to Cartagena, sit near her – she is great. She lets me put all my valuables in her fruit box when I got for a swim and she even commandeered my thongs for the days, giving them back when I left!!

I went for a swim , and noticed (to me delight hehe) that the aguila bar was back up and running. It’s a big stadium that they build and serves as a beach bar with pumping music, and parties that get pretty wild. They even have the Aguila girls come (the official rinky dinky ones) who are selected each year I think.

It is a great place and we met up with angela the waitress, as her mum was sitting next to us and looked after us. By us , I mean Mike and I, I keep running into Mike, another Australian wherever I go. Panama, Bogota,. Medellin and now in Cartagena.

At nights here, I couldn’t wait to get back to my favourite bar in the world Mr babillas – and I was there early. It is an incredible bar, with dancing on the tables and bar and shuts down at about 4 am. Near here are some others including a German bar, and Palos de Moguer, situated on the wall with an amazing view and atmosphere.

I also wandered around the old city a fair bit, admiring the architecture, the colourfully dressed fruit sellers and locals plying their wares. I also checked out a gem store. I noticed while I was there a stunning lady. She didn’t serve me however was just there. But when I looked at different pieces her role became apparent – she was the necklace, bracelet trinket model – she would put on the different pieces so you could see how they looked. For some reason there were a lot of males looking and trying but not buying!!!!!!! jaja

I ended up spending the week in Cartagena and on the Monday, caught my flight to Panama to furnish my apartment which is another story in itself!!