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Boyacá & Santander : Colonial Gems, Remote Villages & Adrenaline

By on 13. July 2016 in Colombia
Convento de los Franciscanos, Plaza Principal, Monguí, Boyacá, Colombia

Convento de los Franciscanos, Plaza Principal, Monguí, Boyacá, Colombia

Situated northeast of Bogota, this part of Colombia is more popular than ever, and for good reasons… I had already visited the most famous landmarks of this region back in 2009: Villa de Leyva, San Gil, Barichara & the Chichamocha Canyon. I wanted to go back, amongst others for photography, and actually found in 2016 that areas which were unknown or out of reach a few years back are opening fast and offer many different opportunities, well Off The Beaten Track. Continue Reading →

Baby Kronosaurus & Miniature Stonehenge

By on 30. July 2009 in Colombia
El Fosil is a must excursion from Villa de Leyva. Here, a 120 million year old baby ?Kronosaurus? fossil is on display, at the very place where it was found in 1977. Since its tail went missing, it is only 12 meters in seize, making it the world?s largest complete fossil of this pre-historic marine reptile

El Fosil, a 120 million year old baby “Kronosaurus” fossil is on display, at the very place where it was found in 1977

El Fosil is a must excursion from Villa de Leyva, which you can do either on horseback, as we did, or with a jeep. Here, a 120 million year old baby “Kronosaurus” fossil is on display, at the very place where it was found in 1977. Since its tail went missing it is “only” 7 meters in seize, making it the world’s largest complete fossil of this pre-historic marine reptile. Continue Reading →

Argentine Folklore In Villa De Leyva

By on 29. July 2009 in Colombia
In the meantime, the young dancers waiting for their gig simply started to dance next to the stage. It kind of set the mood for what followed: a top performance of folkloristic dances from the Cordoba region presented in a firework of emotions and devotion that brought tears in your eyes

A top performance of folkloristic dances from the Cordoba region presented in a firework of emotions and devotion that brought tears in your eyes

Small flyers all over town promoted the performance of a group of dancers from Cordoba, Argentina. In a small outdoor venue the show began with great pathos: Argentine’s flag was carried in, we all rose for the country’s hymn, the directors were introduced and the Columbian people praised and thanked. Continue Reading →

Villa de Leyva – A Colonial Gem

By on 28. July 2009 in Colombia
Having visited countless ?most beautiful colonial towns? all over Latino America, we immediately noticed this one was different. Who has ever seen a plaza 120 meters x 120 meters in seize, all cobble stone with a tiny fountain in its center, surrounded by beautifully restored colonial homes? By the way, cobble stone streets here means a kind of terrain even hard to walk in trekking shoes.

Having visited countless “most beautiful colonial towns” all over Latino America, we immediately noticed this one was different. Who has ever seen a plaza 120 meters x 120 meters in seize, all cobble stone with a tiny fountain in its center, surrounded by beautifully restored colonial homes

Tell any Columbian you made the ancient colonial town of Villa de Leyva part of your trip through Columbia and you get raving descriptions of its beauty and nothing but praise for your good judgment. Located only 160 kilometers north of Bogota, it is a very, very popular weekend destination for city dwellers, who enjoy the clean air and dry climate in this charming town. Continue Reading →