Can anyone tell me

Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 20, 2007, 19:42:

It's safe Getting kidnapped is the least of your worries. Think Nascar, only much more aggressive passing on mtn roads.

You'll have fun.

Are you finally in Bogota? How do you like Hotel de la Opera? And Candelaria?

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MacGringo says on Mar 21, 2007, 14:17:

I think when I went it was around 3-4 hours on the bus. It would be better if you can go for more than just one day.
There is some really good walks around Villa de Leyva and quite a few things to do or see in the village. The main square is pretty impressive.
We spent our first morning walking around the town for 4 hours. There are some small museums (try and check out 'Museo de Atonio Ricaurte') for some Colombian military history, some nice squares to just sit and relax in (again, the square with the monument of Antonio Ricaurte is pretty cool), a few monuments. Then in the afternoon we paid a taxi driver and he took us to a few other places outside the town. An ostrich farm, 'el fossil' museo,a church that my girlfriend wanted to visit and this small lake with really, really blue water...good for a photo.
Then the next day we returned to Bogota via Raquira (where you can buy all the hand made goods) and then Chiquinquira.
As long as your not hoping to party and just looking for a nice place to relax and sight see then Villa de Leyva is perfect. If its 'old colonial' you are looking for then look no further.
I'll try and post some photos.

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Portena says on Mar 21, 2007, 17:17:

Thanks for telling me about your trip, MacGringo. It would be great if you could post some photos!

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MacGringo says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:23:

Monument of Antonio Ricaurte [IMG]http://i11.tinypic.com/34r7fhk.jpg[/IMG]

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MacGringo says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:24:

Monument of Antonio Ricaurte

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MacGringo says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:27:

Blue lake

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MacGringo says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:32:

Main Square

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webmanco says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:35:

You can also go to La Periquera.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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MacGringo says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:42:

Main Square

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MacGringo says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:43:

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MacGringo says on Mar 23, 2007, 15:44:

Ostrich Farm

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mecca says on Mar 23, 2007, 16:08:

Great photos. That place is cool. Thanks.

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Portena says on Mar 23, 2007, 19:27:

Great photos Macgringo! Thanks for posting them. And to answer your question,
Mr. Hollywood, it will be a few months - looking like the fall (fall here in the US anyway). Hope it's not super rainy then in Bogota and surrounding areas. Looks like the weather was nice during Macgringo's visit!

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Gator says on Mar 23, 2007, 20:05:

Rather Easy Drive road, by Colombian standards is good. One of our favorite places. Swing over to Raquira for great and cheap pottery (ever wonder where those smalls Chivas come from?) On the way a stop at the site of the battle El Puente de Boyacá before you get to Tunja worth a visit. It is called "El Puente de Boyaca" or the Bridge of Boyaca. It is a small bridge that crosses over the Teatinos river. It was here that the decisive battle of the independence wars against the Spaniards was fought on August 7th of 1819. Important historic site. If you think about spending the night at a great little inn in Villa de Leyva. If you like the Opera you will love this place.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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webmanco says on Mar 23, 2007, 20:16:

Ventaquemada, Paipa

Casa en Iza

Iza

Niños

Niños en Puente de Boyaca

Sierra Nevada el Cocuy

Fraylejon

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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athensugadawg says on Mar 23, 2007, 20:59:

Speaking of Boyaca.... there is an old inn/bar/restaurant close by that Bolivar supposedly slept in. The bar appears virtually unchanged since the time he was there. I distinctly remember something resembling an old pirate's flag hanging in the bar. Does anyone know where I am talking about and where it is located? Definitely would like to revisit and spend some more time there....

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goin_south says on Mar 24, 2007, 02:25:

Think Nascar, only much more aggressive passing on mtn roads. Good explanation, Mr Hollywood! Come to think of it, on that dark and lonely night 'flight' from Pasto to Cali, up the Andean Carreterra,.... I think it was in fact...MONTOYA AT THE WHEEL! jaja

nice photos, MacGringo!

Where do we go from here?

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MacGringo says on Mar 25, 2007, 11:34:

Thanks for the compliments on the photos people...Cheers.
Gator, are you the person from PBH who lives in San Gil and owns a hostel?

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goin_south says on Mar 25, 2007, 14:33:

a great photo with the horsed outside the restaurant looks like the wild ol' southwest estados unidos.

Where do we go from here?

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 25, 2007, 14:41:

Mc Gringo I think is Carter the one you are talking about.he is Australian.

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MacGringo says on Mar 26, 2007, 05:22:

el felizafortunado, this was the hotel we stayed in. You could book horseriding trips through the hotel.
Cheers Kat, I remember now that it's Carter.

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aztec says on Mar 26, 2007, 06:16:

Please go! You will always regret not visiting at least once. My wife and I have been there twice in our own auto. I believe the trip is simply too much to attempt in one day.

There are several places to stay there. Try to make hotel arrangements before you go. The first time we went we wanted to stay at the old hotel but there was a wedding and the place was full.

http://www.villadeleyva.net/hoteles.htm

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gringolondinense says on Mar 26, 2007, 06:29:

nice bit of totty you've got there macG! :-)

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MacGringo says on Mar 26, 2007, 13:07:

Artesenias - Raquira

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MacGringo says on Mar 26, 2007, 13:08:

Cheers Gringolondinense.
Cheers Gringolondinense.

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MacGringo says on Mar 26, 2007, 13:12:

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MacGringo says on Mar 26, 2007, 13:15:

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 26, 2007, 13:16:

geezz Macgringo all that travelling took a toll on you :)))))


nice pict btw. I love raquira it's such a colorful town.

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MacGringo says on Mar 26, 2007, 13:51:

Yeah Kat, I've aged greatly......hahahahaha
I liked Raquira too. I also stopped in Chiquinquira on the way back to Bogota.

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