Right… my turn!18-Jun-2009 21:47, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 5.0, 65.0mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 100
We arrived in San Gil after our first decent length bus ride from Bogota. Famous for its Extreme Sports, we were worried what options would actually be available to us with a cripple on board. Even horse riding was a concern, with knee gripping a fairly crucial part. However, we managed to find one of the best towns in Colombia to date, at 1,277m altitude it is in eternal springtime with a low crime rate and a friendly population. We only had a few days, but we had a great time and would love to return.
All geared up, she was ready to take to the skies! We’re guessing it was a parachute in the bag, and not just a comfy seat.
All geared up, she was ready to take to the skies! We're guessing it was a parachute in the bag, and not just a comfy seat.18-Jun-2009 20:25, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 8.0, 40.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
We arrived on a day bus from Bogota, only COP$25,000 (Autoboy is the cheapest) and the Irish lads proved invaluable in helping with our bags. At seven o’clock we took a COP$3,000 taxi from the main bus station to our hostel, Aleman Santander. A well laid out and tidy hostel, but slightly backward in that it has no website, no internet(!), and the owner has recently had a baby (congratulations!) that is also a resident and you have to be very quiet when staying and are frequently woken at night by said baby. One thing they are famous for is their breakfast’s, which we very much enjoyed both nights we were staying there.
The clouds didn't do a bad job either!18-Jun-2009 20:43, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 10.0, 105.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
Once we’d settled in, we hobbled over to Macondo Hostel (preferred destination of San Gil) to meet Shaun for the low down on our extreme options for the area. An Australian that is truly embedded in San Gil folklore, Macondo is renowned as the place to go when staying in the area. As such it is often full, and Aleman Santander is the overflow about three doors down where we stayed. In San Gil, some of the options are white water rafting (COP$25,000 to COP$120,000 for five star), paint balling, quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, abseiling, caving, climbing and cycling. After a long and hard debate, and the discovery that even people in wheelchairs have tried it, we opted for the paragliding. Unwhittingly we’re starting to become aficionados of the air with microgliding, gliding, indoor skydiving and parachute jumping under our belt between us!
On the way to the Paragliding site, we passed many tabacco drying huts up the hill.
On the way to the Paragliding site, we passed many tabacco drying huts up the hill.18-Jun-2009 19:59, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 7.1, 28.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
So the next day we headed up into the mountains to glide even higher, passing small farms and local markets on the way. Our partners in crime were American brothers Corey & Chris, and the inspiring Irish couple Grainne & Eion. I won’t go into too much detail here on the the actual paragliding, see the gallery below for that, but it was an awesome day, stunning scenery, much laughs to be had and a lot of smiles on the bus ride home. In between bouts of hard breathing and much looking out the window to help defeat the inevitable motion sickness.
Lynette's on top. With not a discussion in sight!18-Jun-2009 20:45, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 9.0, 73.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
After we returned we made our usual egg fried rice (with random meat and whatever spices we can cobble together) and headed up to Macondo. A little bit quiet that evening, and we knew the Irish lads were around, so on a gamble we talk a walk to the main square. Unsurprisingly they were propping up the local trees and we decided to help them; not long after we were joined by John, Bradley & friend who we’d last seen in Bogota and were also randomly walking through San Gil square. Popular place! It did feel a bit like a swing back to being sixteen with some blue lightning all over again but it was a pleasurable evening and we thankfully had a lie in waiting for us.
And then on to Barachi! A beautiful, tranquil colonial town a 30min bus ride from San Gil.
And then on to Barachi! A beautiful, tranquil colonial town a 30min bus ride from San Gil.19-Jun-2009 19:45, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 16.0, 28.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 1600
The next day we headed up to Barachi for the quiet life, a small and unspoilt colonial town about 30mins bus ride from San Gil. Set slightly higher, it has some amazing views and great examples of colonial architecture; pastal houses, tranquil plazas and cobbled streets. Its on the colonial road that stretches through ten or so similar towns; it is possible to complete a five day hike through all of them but we didn’t have the time or the right number of working legs for that. Apparently you can also buy some not quite inedible fried ants if you so wish, we avoided these and opted for a couple of equally inedible croissants, cream cheese and jam concoction.
Best bit of foreground interest yet…19-Jun-2009 20:15, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 18.0, 28.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 1600
We finished the day scrabbling together our gear into our bags and looked forward to Santa Marta & Taganga – the lower temperatures of Bogota and San Gil had been a welcome reprieve, we were worried we were never going to be able to wear trousers and jumpers again after Brazil, but now it was time for sun, sea and sand. See you in Taganga!
On the way to the Paragliding site, we passed many tabacco drying huts up the hill.18-Jun-2009 19:59, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 7.1, 28.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
Chris and Corey are two great brothers we met in San Gil. They can't help being American.18-Jun-2009 20:07, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 7.1, 105.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Grainne and Lynette enjoying their common Ireland land connection. Different ends, but no bombs nearby so should be ok.18-Jun-2009 20:08, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 8.0, 30.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
All geared up, she was ready to take to the skies! We're guessing it was a parachute in the bag, and not just a comfy seat.18-Jun-2009 20:25, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 8.0, 40.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
We figured that if we're going to do any form of extreme sports, its a kind of homage to Colombia to do it in the skies…18-Jun-2009 20:39, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 9.0, 45.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Shortly after the red parachure tried to get the edge on Lynette's chute, one of the lines mysteriously snapped. Allegedly.18-Jun-2009 20:45, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 10.0, 70.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
What is true, is that it took over 300 photos to get the few that you are seeing now. Praise the delete button!18-Jun-2009 20:45, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 10.0, 28.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
So hopefully the last few remaining go half way to showing the great views and a wonderul day.18-Jun-2009 20:47, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 10.0, 28.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Her pilot was particularly keen on spinning around at speed towards the ground…18-Jun-2009 20:48, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 8.0, 105.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Having an absolute whale of a time, she finally needed to come in for something to drink.18-Jun-2009 20:53, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 6.3, 105.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Hang on… the landing site is a bit closer to this way… that's a pea field… rapido! Rapido!18-Jun-2009 20:53, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 8.0, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
Some of the stunning scenery; more sun would have helped, but the clouds made the sky shots more interesting!18-Jun-2009 21:25, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 6.3, 70.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
There was a storm cloud in the distance, over the canyon and several layers of mountains. Didn't manage to catch that particular lightning though!18-Jun-2009 21:26, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 9.0, 35.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
Why all insects instinctly head towards the end of nowhere I'll never know…18-Jun-2009 21:39, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 7.1, 105.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Yes, you've seen this before. With the same colour chute and everything, I know.18-Jun-2009 22:09, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 5.0, 105.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
Same chute, same lunatic. I was breathing quite hard and looking out the window a lot on the way home…18-Jun-2009 22:09, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 4.5, 105.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 100
Good man. Talk to him in a Spanglish he doesn't understand, and he'll make you feel really ill. Awesome.18-Jun-2009 22:17, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 4.0, 68.0mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 100
And then on to Barachi! A beautiful, tranquil colonial town a 30min bus ride from San Gil.19-Jun-2009 19:45, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 16.0, 28.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 1600
He's got two things wrong here. One, he's facing the wrong way, two, its made of stone.19-Jun-2009 19:45, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 11.0, 90.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 1600
Heading west from the square set you up for some absolutely stunning views of the canyon.19-Jun-2009 20:01, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 18.0, 28.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 1600
A typical street in Barachi; not a soul to be seen and gently warming air.19-Jun-2009 20:17, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 20.0, 28.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 1600
This could be the biggest lizard we've seen so far in South America!19-Jun-2009 20:18, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 10.0, 105.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 1600
Another peacful garden in Barachi that you could spend hours whiling away the afternoon.19-Jun-2009 20:26, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 14.0, 28.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 1600
Or drink some water if you have complete disregard for your health and are thirsty.19-Jun-2009 20:27, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 11.0, 100.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 1600
Looking over the other side! Lots of different white water rafting rotes around San Gil, including a 4hr 5 star trip.19-Jun-2009 21:39, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL, 18.0, 28.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 1600
Hey Guys, your blog has got a lot going on. Hope you two are continuing to have fun. No longer at Cranky but if you have time to come to a rehearsal when you’re back in Bogs you can call me on 312 313 3120. Ciao
Hey Anna – glad you’re enjoying the read! Tried to find you on facebook with little success, have a look for Lynette Mace as their are loads of Steves. Not sure if we’re heading back to Bogs yet, we’re giving up on Gorgona island though and do need to drop off crutches. We’ll make sure we give you a shout if we’re heading through. Send us any tracks you’ve got done yet either way! )
All geared up, she was ready to take to the skies! We’re guessing it was a parachute in the bag, and not just a comfy seat.
The clouds didn’t do a bad job either!
On the way to the Paragliding site, we passed many tabacco drying huts up the hill.
Lynette’s on top. With not a discussion in sight!
And then on to Barachi! A beautiful, tranquil colonial town a 30min bus ride from San Gil.
Best bit of foreground interest yet…
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Hey Guys, your blog has got a lot going on. Hope you two are continuing to have fun. No longer at Cranky but if you have time to come to a rehearsal when you’re back in Bogs you can call me on 312 313 3120. Ciao
Hey Anna – glad you’re enjoying the read! Tried to find you on facebook with little success, have a look for Lynette Mace as their are loads of Steves. Not sure if we’re heading back to Bogs yet, we’re giving up on Gorgona island though and do need to drop off crutches. We’ll make sure we give you a shout if we’re heading through. Send us any tracks you’ve got done yet either way!
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