‎February ‎18, ‎2011

Got organized and went to the Simon Boliver Museum. Was just down the road within walking distance. Boliver was called the Liberator because he was instrumental in liberating 5 countries from Spanish rule. (Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Panama was annexed from Colombia early in the 1900s by the USA for the exclusive use of the Panama Canal). Then relaxed with the locals hostel patrons.

Portrait of Simon Boliver

 Upon Simon Boliver's Death, his physician, made a mask of his face and had this tome carved in his likeness.

 One of the 5 original flags of the liberated countries, 

See my pics for the other flags.

A memorial commissioned by France

‎February ‎17, ‎2011

Bunch of us went up to Pozal Azul, just out of Minca. Gorgeous little creek with cascades flowing into perfect pools.

February ‎16, ‎2011

Hung around the hostel, played pool and enjoyed the hammocks. Rough life in paradise.

Very homey, Hostel owners have made a very welcoming central meeting area.

‎February ‎15, ‎2011

We got up late and rode out to Taganga beach with one of our hostel roomies, Ellie, from Norway. Chilled on the beach after going for a little hike to get there. Came back and socialized for the evening.

Valentines Day.

‎February ‎14, ‎2011

After an hour of trying to figure out where "Dreamer Hostel" is, I got it and we headed out of this crappy hotel. 15 minutes later, arrived and got unpacked off the bikes and waited for our dorm beds to become available. Nice place, they have lots of activities and nice little pool. Bought groceries at a new mall. This mall make many of ours insignificant in comparison..

Most people hanging around the courtyard, met numerous, made stew dinner and chilled. Had a billiard tournament in the evening.

‎February ‎13, ‎2011

On the road this morning to Santa Marta as we have heard that the best beaches are there. Minor chore of gettign out of town as the GPS routing is stupid with this newest map update, but at least it shows the streets of towns. About half way into our trip, we pass this cafe with the roof shaped as a sombrero. I'm looking at the roof line and Michael says, "did you see the 3 Vstroms parked out front"? We turned around, went in and met the riders from Barranquilla who paid for our drinks and invited us to follow then on their ride. We happily agreed as our destination was close at hand and we had lots of time to get there. They showed us some wonderful countryside and after about 1.5 hours we arrived in Barranquilla, they escorted us to their town's mall where the "Mac" store is and help talk for us translating. We find out that the tech works tomorrow and Mary calls a friend for an address to a local hotel. After reaching the hotel, which wanted more than it was worth and no internet, we decided to go to Santa Marta as originally planned. Arrived at dusk, the directions and posted by Google for this hostel send us into some barrio not even close to the hostel. We have coordinates for another and arrive to find it does not have parking. We drive down to the beach row and find a hotel that has lost its former glory, but its dark by now and we need to get off the street. Hot, fan has one speed (high) and cleanliness was questionable when we saw mouse droppings on the bed.

‎February ‎12, ‎2011

Back down to Bocagrande neighborhood this morning to find the Mac store right across the street from Danny's hostel. The Mac tech is sick, come back on Monday.. Visited with Danny, then walked the beach sidewalks. Very American large city tourist trap. Enough of that. Back to the hotel, lunch and walk to "El Centro" again. Beer for me and aqua for my pooped puppy, at the Hard Rock Cafe. More walking, then back to our hotel to rinse the sweat off.