COLOMBIA – PART 2
As you know, last week I shared about my time in Cartagena. Admittedly, I went a little rogue by going on to Bogotá as this was not part of the FAM trip. Being in the country and an easy plane ride to the capitol city I thought I would be remiss not to check it out and I am so glad I did!
While I don’t want to live in a big city, I do love visiting one. The only exception to that would be Sydney, Australia – I could live there (and have), but we’ll save that for another day. Bogotá did not disappoint and I’m glad I spent the extra three nights there. It’s as cosmopolitan a city as you will find most anywhere with great restaurants, top hotels, a thriving theater, arts and culture scene, and plenty of history as well. Not to mention the street art, more commonly known as graffiti – absolutely AMAZING!
I stayed at the B.O.G. Hotel – which was in a great neighborhood and easily walkable to several restaurants, parks and other areas of interest. The climate in Bogotá was a BIG change from Cartagena! Being part of the Andes range of mountains the city enjoys a moderate climate all year with December, January and February providing the most sunshine. While I was there it was overcast most of the time and of course I thought I was freezing to death after the heat and humidity of Cartagena, but it was actually quite pleasant.
For my day outside of the city we went to the Guatavita Lagoon. It is one of a number of places just outside of Bogotá which is worth visiting, along with La Calera, Sopó, Zipaquira and its Salt Cathedral, the Nemocón salt mine and Chingaza National Park, among others.
The Guatavita Lagoon is a former sacred site of the Muisca indigenous tribe, who inhabited the central highlands of what is now Colombia. At Laguna Guatavita, the Muisca Cacique (the leader of the tribe) would cover himself in gold dust, sail out into the laguna and rinse himself off, while fine handmade goldwork was thrown into the lagoon as an offering for Chie, the goddess of water. Needless to say they did not value gold like we do – in fact, salt was far more valuable at that time. Cue the Spaniards!!!
We followed up our visit to Guatavita with a morning at the Gold Museum – which was truly unbelievable! I can’t recommend a visit to this museum highly enough. I’ve shared just the smallest sampling of my photos below.
Of course, I had to do some site inspections while in the city and they certainly did not disappoint – The Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia, The Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá, The Four Seasons Casa Medina Bogotá, the W Bogotá and Casa Legado – all had very different vibes and were equally as impressive in their own rights. You wouldn’t go wrong staying at any of them – it just depends on what you like in a hotel or in the case of the later – a home hotel, as they like to be called.
There is so much more I can share and will. Please join the Cline and Co private Facebook group here if you haven’t already – PRIVATE GROUP.
Let’s chat about Colombia! I’d love to fill you in more than I can here.
