Colombia without much purpose at all

[onlyMark]

As opposed to being in the country three years ago when we did have a bit of one as per the last thread I did for it.
This time the only purpose of sorts is to drop around the Río Magdalena.
I'll explain more and have more photos when I get back. There won't be individual reports but a flow from day to day about where/when etc.
For now I'll try and post a photo from each day, but I can't quite guarantee that depending on where we are. I'll try though.
Just to start -

[kerouac2]

Great so far, especially for those of us unable to travel at the moment.

[bjd]

Looking forward to more.

[tod2]

Mark, thank you for filling us in about your whereabouts at the moment. The photo no.3 - the room with high ceiling and the strangest thing I ever did see! Those 2 elevated dias with two chairs facing the window.....what's that about?

[kerouac2]

That's funny, Tod. The first thing I thought when I saw that photo was "That looks like Laos!" You know of course that the high ceilings are to reduce the heat.

[tod2]

Actually I didn't think of it that way but now that you mention it I can throw away my theory of thinking the high ceiling was so the fans wouldn't chop anyone's head off.....

[onlyMark]

The room with the high ceilings is a cafe. On the far wall it says, "Menu". The seats by the window are like that to enable looking out at the river. Through the alcove to the left at the end is the bar/counter/kitchen area.

[bixaorellana]

Very enjoyable pictures, Mark, with all kinds of unexpected details. I'm always fascinated by photos of other Latin American countries because of some complete similarities and also utter differences.

The picture of the café, for instance, reminds me very much of Veracruz -- not because of anything specific, but because of the high, open room & the rather old-fashioned furniture. The whole feeling is very tropical.

I also see that Colombia has buses similar in ritziness to the 1st class ones in Mexico.

The first picture is simply a great photo! Looking forward to more Colombia.

I've never seen a diary-style monument before! What is the other monument, with the group statue and the closely written stones beyond?

[onlyMark]

I think you'll be seeing a lot that reminds you of some photos you've posted. Though not as colourful. We'll see.
The high open rooms are typical Colombia in hot/humid areas. We will see more of them.
The bus journey was supposed to be at the most 5 hours and ended up being nine.
The white monument with the dates is the marker levels of water I believe from the river.
The last photo is from..... a church. The full photos will reveal how little I know about religious stuff and we'll combine all our heads to work out what is was supposed to be and signify.

Light lunch for today. A lot of the food can be quite heavy so a bit of a change.
Fish soup with corn, potatoes and heaps of coriander. Usually I have here a fresh juice with food, tends to be a fruit called maracuya (passion fruit) and even though is quite sour, I miss out on the sugar they tend to want to put in it -

[kerouac2]

MMMM.... all of the coriander must be a challenge for you. Sorry about that.

The soup looks excellent to me. I can't imagine adding sugar to maracuja. When I buy it fresh here, I just cut it in half and eat it with a sppon.

[bixaorellana]

The soup looks good.

Feb 14, 2022 20:24:27 GMT onlyMark said:

The white monument with the dates is the marker levels of water I believe from the river.

I don't think so, Mark. That seems to be honoring Simon Bolivar & his comings & goings I guess in that region. For instance, the first two entries say:
He arrived December 26, 1812.
He left December 29 [the same year] with 400 men from Mompós in triumph all the way to Caracas

Hmmm on the church monument. Maybe something about lifting the Spanish yoke of oppression from indigenous Colombians, African-Colombians, and old guys attacked by starfish from outer space?

[onlyMark]

Yes, I was confused with another one and my mistake.
The majority of the coriander got scraped off and onto Mrs M's bowl.
I'm not sure if it wasn't the starfish that were oppressed.

[mich64]

Thrilled to see your photos Mark. How lovely to see someone actually being able to travel internationally!

[onlyMark]

You're welcome. It's nice to travel.

[casimira]

After being cooped up here for so long at a time when we finally have some money to travel, I am so envious of your adventures. That being said, thank you for the vicarious virtual report, Mark.

Many of the homes here were built with the same type of high-ceilinged windows for the very reason noted by Kerouac.

Looking forward to seeing more.

[onlyMark]

There will be more Casi. I hope we all manage to set our feet outside the door to far off, or not so far off places, wherever you want to go, soon.

Where we are now is out on the northern coast. In a place with scant phone contact, and internet just in one place on the property and very slow. And, I'm spitting feathers and my dummy, throwing my toys out the cot and I'm like a bear with a sore head. Why?
Because no matter we made a reservation with the hotel, on arrival they've decided they can't find it - no matter we've been in direct communication with them several times.
It ends up we don't have the room we want, but one of a much lesser standard, e.g. no sea view, small etc etc.

But, if it all pans out ok, we don't now pay they ninety euros a night were were going to pay (we're here three nights), but we've negotiated getting the room for free. Plus including breakfast. So can't be bad. But we'll see what happens when we check out.
To keep you occupied, a couple of photos.
The beach one looks cold, but it is 30 degrees Celsius and 80% humidity, so not cold at all, though it looks like it may rain in a bit -




Made a friend. Not a good conversationalist. Keeps parroting my replies -

[mickthecactus]

What a magnificent parrot. Who’s a pretty boy then?

[bjd]

With those rocks on the beach, it looks like the sea near Tayrona Park.

[casimira]

Both stunning pics. Making me feel more envious.
I'm hoping we can take a road trip next week to the Gulf Coast in Alabama for a couple of days.
I'm waiting to hear back from a neighbor to make arrangements for her to tend to our pets.

Sorry to hear your accommodations are not what you expected but at least you're able to get out and enjoy the seashore and share your adventure with us.

[mich64]

Hopefully your negotiations work to your favour upon check out. The beach picture does look cold!

We are getting ready to follow the adventures of a few friends who leave this week on holiday. One couple departs tomorrow for Costa Rica for a month while another is waiting for confirmation on her flight to Faro, Portugal. Apparently Portugal is considering pausing flights from Canada due to the political unrest due to the trucker convoys so she is not sure if she is going yet or not.

[onlyMark]

Mick - me.
Bjd, spot on.
Casi, they've now tried to charge us for a 'no show' - so we will question them tomorrow morning as to how they can try to charge us for not turning up if they don't have a booking for us.
Mich, went on a hot beach today.

[htmb]

That beach is gorgeous, but I sure wouldn’t mess around with that monkey. What teeth!!!

[fumobici]

I've got a friend who grew up in Medellin, she thinks the coast is hot and boring. It looks neither in your photos I must say.

I'd steer clear of any large plastic-wrapped bales you might find on the beach.

[bjd]

Feb 17, 2022 1:36:30 GMT fumobici said:

'd steer clear of any large plastic-wrapped bales you might find on the beach.

The coke is not in large plastic bales. It's taken out by small fishing boats at night. A way for the poor locals to earn some extra money. And mostly a bit further east in Guajira.

[tod2]

Feb 17, 2022 0:58:13 GMT onlyMark said:

they've now tried to charge us for a 'no show' - so we will question them tomorrow morning as to how they can try to charge us for not turning up if they don't have a booking for us.

They are jerking your chain Mark. Playing dumb and pointing fingers at each other for not knowing what happened to your booking, is treating you like a fool and I am darn sure you will give them a piece of your mind and a good telling off besides definitely not paying. I think this is a ploy to line their (receptionist) pockets.

[onlyMark]

Tod, I've left it for now with Mrs M to take it further. She is more diplomatic yet devious than I am. We'll see how we go.

[whatagain]

I love the pic of the parrot.
As goid as the 'iguane' on another thread.

[onlyMark]

Not a lot going to happen today. A bit of a rest day and moving on tomorrow. So a couple of set the scene photos -

[mossie]

That croc has an evil grin, looks like he sizing you up for his next meal

[onlyMark]

Thanks. I only have one more of a different parrot so I'll stick that here anyway. The majority form a story and these are sort of peripheral stand alone ones -