Our first visitors to Bogotá

Last week we enjoyed a fabulous visit with our friends David & Cathy, and their two girls, Kendra (6) and Natasha (3). Isabel was in absolute heaven having two girlfriends to play with around the clock. When they left she spent a full day asking when they would be back.

We began our week with a fabulous long weekend in Anapoime -- a village two hours outside of Bogotá driving along a winding mountainous road (not for the faint of heart). But the drive was worth it as we were blessed with fabulous weather, an amazing view of the mountains, and even someone else to do all the cleaning & cooking as we enjoyed three very relaxing days by the pool. There was even a clay tennis court where a few fun games of tennis were played.

It was also amazing to see some of the landscape outside of Bogotá - what amazing diversity in sites, smells and sounds as we drove through some of the smaller towns.

Upon our return, David, Cathy & the girls took a road trip exploring Bogotá - with a tour of La Candelaria and a trip up Cerro de Monserrate.

Cerro de Monserrate is one of the peaks (3160m above sea level) in the mountain range surrounding the eastern side of Bogotá and overlooking the Sabana de Bogotá. It offers a wonderful view of the city (on clear days), and on weekends has become a mecca for pilgrims who hike one-hour up the mountain to see the statue of the Senor Caido (Fallen Christ) dating from 1650. The Sturdees opted to take the teleferico (cable car) up the mountain side rather than attempting the steep climb (good choice)!!

La Candelaria is the oldest part of the city and known for its museums, cafes dating back nearly a century, museums, cobblestone streets, and Plaza de Bolivar. It offers a little sampling of colonial life in the city. Plaza de Bolivar is the heart of the original town of Bogotá - before it expanded into every direction, especially towards the north. In the middle of the square is a bronze statue of Simon Bolivar (cast in 1846), the work of an Italian artist. This was the first public monument erected in the city of Bogotá. The Capilla del Sagrario dates from the Spanish era, while other buildings surrounding the square are far more recent and range in architectural style from French to neoclassical to modern.

The rest of the week was focused on more activities for the kids - including a trip to Maloka (an interesting science museum), a visit to Parque 93 to play and enjoy some delicious crepes, walking around Santa Barbara Alta & Usaquen, and rounded out by Halloween on Friday. For Halloween we enjoyed face-painting and an indoor treasure hunt. Then in the evening we went trick or treating in a nearby neighbourhood called Santa Ana -- which was absolutely wonderful. The day finished with a view of fireworks from our dining room window that seemed to be coming from the Hacienda Santa Barbara mall down the street.

For the final day of their trip, we drove to Zipaquira to visit the Salt Cathedral and see more of the surrounding terrain -- this time we moved through rolling hills and saw lots of horses and cows along our drive; as well as green-houses dedicated to growing roses and carnations for export. Zipaquira is located 50km north of Bogota and it is noted for its salt mines which are carved into the mountains flanking the west of the town. The mines date back to the Muisca period (700-1600 A.D.). They tap into what is virtually a huge mountain of rock salt -- you can actually taste it in the air as you walk through the cool (temperature) underground paths and caverns. In the heart of the mountain a huge underground Salt Cathedral has been carved out and open to the public since 1954. It was closed in 1992 and scooped out another 60m below the original for safety reasons. The Cathedral is now 75m long and 18m high, and it can accommodate 8400 people for mass on Sundays. The sound in this cathedral is amazing and actually attracts many recording artists. The tour of the mines is marked by the stations of the cross -- all carved into the stone/salt. It is quite spectacular.

On our way home we paused for lunch at a restaurant that attracts people from far and wide -- locals will drive an hour out of Bogotá to dine at Andres Carne de Rez, located in a town called Chia. Our guests also enjoyed a fabulous steak which was like an oasis after dining vegetarian all week long!! This legendary steak-house is more an experience than a restaurant. It is only open on weekends and in the evenings turns into a dining hall/night club that attracts guests into the wee hours of the night. The capacity is well over 2000 people and it is always packed. During the day, there is an amazing section dedicated to activities for kids of all ages -- with actors and dancers moving through the restaurant, an amazing sandbox, face-painting, mask-making, arts & crafts tables, and a place for kids to make their own pizza and desserts. Isabel quickly discovered the pizza-making station and made herself a delicious mushroom and cheese pizza. She finished off her lunch experience with a butterfly painted on her face -- it was the first time she was eager and followed through on getting her face painted. Every day has something of a 'first' to offer!!

You can find a small sampling of photos from the week at

http://picasaweb.google.com/jpstoriesm/jpstories.