Usaquén, Pampering and Road Trip

The next day - after the getting to know some of the most important sights of Bogotá's centre - took us to Usaquén, about 120 blocks north of Plaza Simon Bolivar.

A long time ago Usaquén used to be just a village but nowadays forms a part of Bogotá. Usaquén has similar colonial style of which many Colombian towns and villages are known. In the area there are nice restaurants, old but well-maintained houses, a handicraft market and a church.

Crepes & Waffles provided us with a delicious lunch, after which we sat down at a local beauty parlor's benches and let others do the work.

In many European countries manicure and pedicure are luxury which is why it is more common to do one's own maintenance. However, here in Colombia the women are known for taking care of their looks on a weekly basis. This luxury costs here between 8 and 15 Euros depending on the place.

Best of Bogotá was seen! As soon as the nails were done and Lukas got off work, we packed up the car and headed to the north. Little road trip and a minibreak awaited...

This peaceful little town welcomed us after three hours of driving and skipping huge holes! More about that later...

Monserrate and La Candelaria

When you ask a Colombian what would they show guests who are visiting Bogotá, they tell you three must-sees: Monserrate, Andres Carne de Res and Cathedral of Salt.

I am proud to present to you our second set of guests, who came the day after Andi left.
On the first night we took Hanna and Ilkka to our favourite restaurant and showed them a little bit of the local pub culture. ;)

The next morning we started the serious tourism business and I got to be the host as Lukas had to work. So we did as any Colombian would have done: we went to Monserrate.

Monserrate is a mountain in Bogotá that is 3170 meters above sea level. It was founded in 1640 and it is the landmark of Bogotá where people escape for its views, restaurants, religious sanctuary, souveniers or sports possibilities.

In addition to the church, there are two popular restaurants, and a market place that sells souveniers.

... All kinds of souveniers, as for example tea, schnaps, and ointment made of coca leaves.

After Monserrate was seen, it was time to continue the tour. Next stop: La Candelaria aka the centre.

To hide from the rainy clouds and to settle our growling stomaches, we had lunch at a cute little restaurant with the theme of elves.

The portions were big, fresh and delicious!

And getting to know Bogotás is nothing without knowing Botero. After a quick visit to the Botero Museum, we continued exploring the city.

The short but efficient 5-day visit meant well-planned eventful days full of programme. Next day was already Friday which allowed us to do a minibreak outside of the city. More about that later...

Beards, Beers and Cheers

As the last gag of the successful vacation the look-alike brothers shaved their facial hair to resemble each others even more. The overgrown holiday beards found its inspiration in shape from another family member, whose well-known beard they used as a model. They are carved from the same wood indeed, aren't they?

After some posing in our neighbouring park, there was one more thing on the to-do list: dinner and drinks!

After an oriental dinner experience with gyros and falafels, the beer tasted even better.

The Pub.

"There are no strangers here, only friends you haven't met yet."

William Butler Yeats

"Work is the curse of the drinking class."

Oscar Wilde

So thank you to our first guest for visiting us. It was a pleasure to have you - please come again!
With beers we said cheers (and with some Colombian schnaps aguardiente, but it didn't rhyme)!

55

An all-day outdoor activity which Andi, Lukas and I did together in San Gil was a 55 kilometer mountain bike tour organised by the Colombian Bike Junkies.

The day started early with a breakfast at Gringo Mike's restaurant in the centre of San Gil. That's where we met everyone - 3 Americans and 2 Dutch in addition to us - and started the adventure. We got into the car and drove about half an hour up to a place where we began pedaling.

It was probably the most well organised group tour I have ever participated in, all thanks to our lovely guides, Kat and Mike. Each of us got a thorough guidance for the fancy full suspension downhill bikes which were personally adjusted for every cyclist.

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

This time, Mike was leading the group by bike and Kat was following behind with the Landrover, in case anyone needs anything, injures themself or what might have you. Also part of the trip was done by car.

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Along the way we saw some tabacco fields and the leaves of the plants being dried by the farmers. Actually, before the trip even started we saw some pineapple plants. Did you know pineapple grows in the ground, kind of like a small bush or potato that grows upwards, above the ground?

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

These two fearless guys always had to wait for others who were slower, such as me. Going downhill is definitely not my strength. And the burn in the palms for braking so much!! I want the leg brakes of my Nopsa!

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

The first descend took us to the pittoresque colonial village of Barichará which is one of the best preserved villages in Colombia.

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

That's where Mike told us about the history of the village and we were able to have a snack - mandarine and cookies - to prepare ourselves for the next bit.

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Going uphill, on the other hand, I can do! Not once did I walk my bike because of a "little" uphill. And this time, I was ahead of the guys. ;)

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

The next pit stop was not far, in a little park above the village. That's where Mike showed us the way we were going to go - on the other side of the mountain range - and told us a story about a German guy who once lived and populated the village.

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

After some more posing with the group it was time to continue with the adventure. Next pitstop would be lunch!

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Along the way we saw the green Colombian nature at its best - we passed waterfalls, cows, goats, poultry, drunk farmers... And don't be fooled by the smooth-looking, easy-appearing road. Because it wasn't.

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Andi won the wet T-shirt contest. ;) After the river we packed the car and headed for lunch.

At lunch, we had an amazing scenery over the canyon.

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

Photo by Colombian Bike Junkies

After lunch the trip continued. By then, we had done only about 20 kilometers of the total, which meant more than half was still missing so we had to get on the road again!

We passed another village called Galán. Due to a few flat tires, we had to have a break. The children in the village were really interested in the gringos occupying their plaza!

Afterwards, there was no more time for taking pictures. All in all we did 55 kilometers of cycling that day which is my personal record in distance. Just before dusk we reached the goal. I may have been slow but with Finnish sisu (gut) I did it - all of it! Half of the group gave up and travelled in the luxury of the SUV with Kat. Aching but extremely happy I reached for the beer that was handed to me at the goal.