Gliding High

From Parque Tayrona we took a very bumpy bus to the town of Bucaramanga. This was only to divide up our bus ride as we were advised not to take overnight buses as a precaution. We got into town late at night and took a taxi to a budget hotel recommended by Lonely Planet - the ABC Hotel. Sounds about as bad as it looked! Sidenote: I think the Colombia section of the Lonely Planet needs much revision and I think I am the girl for the job! :) Needless to say, we were not in the best part of town and decided on a slightly less budget option. That was about all we wanted to see of Bucaramanga although I'm sure there are nicer parts than where we were. We headed to the small town of San Gil which is supposedly the extreme sports capital of Colombia. Upon arrival we asked the lady at the bus stop how far our hostel was from the station, "Not far, you can walk" was her reply. Turns out....that it was about a 40 min walk with lots of steep hills. I almost died. My pack weighed about 44 lbs and was a bit out of control. We arrived at our hostel which was run by a really cool dreadlocked Aussie and collapsed into the hammocks in the courtyard and got some dinner in town.


The street we had to walk up to
get to our hostel. Notice Jesus at
the top. Can't seem to escape him
down in South America...


Chilling in the hammock enjoying a granadilla
which is a popular fruit in Colombia. It is
similar to a passionfruit with a gooey center
and many seeds. Delicious!


Inside of the fruit. Looks kinda gross but it is
yummy.


Hey, it's my name!

The next day we decided to go paragliding. I had been hang gliding in Rio but this was really different. You don't really run off a platform, but are kind of lifted up by the wind and whisked into the air. The guy I was with did lots of spirals and turns and it offered spectacular views of the sun drenched valleys. Best of all it was way cheaper than in Rio - only $30.


Colombian countryside.


Some workers taking a lunch break.


Basically the whole hostel decided to go.
Which was about 14 people.


14 people meant lots of watching and waiting.


Suited up!


Feet are off the ground!


See ya!!!


That's me waaaaay up there!


Such a beautiful day.


By the end of the day, the setting
sun gave everything a golden glow.

The next day we took a day trip to the small town of Barichara which is a quaint little town about an hour outside of San Gil. It is said to be the most beautiful city in Colombia and while I can't make that call with the limited area of Colombia I saw, it is lovely. It almost feels like a Tuscan Italian village. The day we were there they were shooting some Colombian soap opera so there were lots of camera guys and beautiful women around the city.


Someone has bit the dust in
Colombian soap opera land.


Jules chillin.


Beautiful Barichara.


Streets of Barichara.


The gals.


Some local men chatting in the park.

After leaving San Gil, we headed to Bogota meet up with our friend David and help him ring in his 25th birthday!