The need for a Brazilian Visa
Unfortunately we have to get a Brazilian visa to visit the Pantanal area of Brazil (just across the Bolivian border) when we get down that way in a month or two. Brazil is the only country in South America that requires a visa for entry, so for us it meant a visit to their embassy in Bogota.
We have been to Bogota on two previous occasions, only for short periods of time, but long enough to see the wonderful Gold Museum, and be convinced that I never wanted to drive there.
Well, like it or not, this is exactly what we had to do. Gael did an admirable job of navigation but my interpretation of her fast flowing instructions did, at one point, give us the unique experience of driving on one section of the centre road reserve, bus only, transit lane.
Once on these bus transit lanes they are not easy to get off, however, stricken with panic, we managed to impress the local Bogotonians with our kerb climbing ability as we merged seamlessly with the bumper to bumper traffic in the parallel lane.
At the Brazilan Embassy the next day we received instructions in Spanish, from a not too interested admin officer, that we needed to fill out an online visa application, in Portuguese, we think, at a local internet cafe. After the first mind numbing hour I was in a hairs breadth of stepping outside the internet cafe and throwing myself under a bus when two twenty something girls on the computer next to ours offered their assistance. With the girls help, and that of another local young gentleman visiting the embassy, we got our paperwork submitted before closing time.
Initial advice was that it would take twelve days to expedite our visa application, but after discussions with the the vice consul, and explaining we were traveling differently to most applicants, we received an email two days later to say that the visas would be ready in only five days. Great service after Gael found a way to bypass the disinterested front of house staff.
We have zig zagged our way south through this stunningly picturesque country visiting as many points of interest as we can, including historic Colonial towns.
Moving around Colombia is torture for the old truck though. Up and down 3,500 meters at a time over mountain ranges that run the length of the country. Crawling along behind lines of semi trailers moving at a snails pace over mountain passes and being held up by roadworks for several hours every day. Everything in this country moves by road, as the only rail transport company was liquidated in 1990.
We read a couple of days ago that in 2016 deforestation in Colombia increased by 44%. This probably goes some way to explaining why we have not seen any, not one example, of ground dwelling wild life. Every piece of this country, that can be, is cultivated. With around 45 Million hungry mouths to feed you need to grow a lot veggies.
However even with its few shortcomings Colombia comes highly recommended.
On to Ecuador.........
Our 'camping' spot for the night in a 24 hour carpark. Secure and with shopping plaza next door.
El Penon at Guatape is a popular tourist town with an extensive lake system (hydro). In South America if you have a beautiful natural feature the obvious thing to do is to improve on it! In this case a stairway.
Each dwelling has a themed relief art.
Again outside a pub!
Driving East/West across Colombia means crossing several mountain ranges. This is done at a snail like pace with heavy transport making the trip interesting. Brake maintenance or the lack of it sees many large rigs go arse up.
and again
The jeeps were used to cart coffee beans at one stage and some may still do.They call them Willy's. But in the main they are used as taxis and provide a buzz for the tourists.
Following a jeep load of thrill seekers. I wonder how their travel insurance would view this risky transport if they fell off.
Tourism is big in Salerno.
Wax palms grow to 60 metres high and grow for one hundred and twenty years. They are the tallest in the world I understand. Lucky for the local economy they weren't bowled over when the land was cleared for grazing.
Truly stunning country.
One of our campsites for a couple of nights near Salento. A twenty minute walk to the centre of town.
Whilst walking through the gorge one night several hundred years ago apparently Rebecca's daughter Maria had a vision. This was enough to send the local priest into a frenzy of crowd funding.
Love the photos nice you went bro the church on the bridge I never went there but My sister partner told me about it. All the best Chris
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