TimH has left 39 comments

TimH comments on Certificate of No Impediment for Uk citizen

UK Consul does (or rather did god knows if they still do). I got one from them in 2005. They won`t issue passports is a few weeks time. And they`ve changed the visa requirements so it`s mainly an online operation - it does sort of make you wonder what the hell they do all day doesn`t it, but in theory .... If you rock up take an oath in front of the consul - they post a piece of paper announcing the forthcoming nuptual and does anyone know of any lawful impedement. This gets posted inside the consulate and assuming no one has a problem with you getting married then you get the paper within a month. Costs a chunk of money but they did issue the document.

TimH comments on Certificate of No Impediment for Uk citizen

BClare - didn`t stay with us. They didn`t confirm the reservation they made in June for September and because they hadn`t confirmed the reservation we hadn`t space for them. I didn`t mess up the reservation - they failed to confirm - I`ve asked BClare for a copy of the email confirmation (and I`m still waiting). They arrived in the morning dropped their bags off and left for Cocora. When I checked I found the original reservation and NO CONFIRMATION. As a favour to them I found them the the hostel Ciudad de Segorbe organised a reservation with them and even carried their bags down there for them. They never even entered Plantation House except to drop their bags off in the morning in the lounge and collect them in the afternoon as I walked them down to the hostel they stayed in. So how they feel justified to comment on the rooms as dingy and Plantation House as dark I have no idea. BClare wrote a damning review on PBH about us and followed it up with this comment here. To me (the owner) their comments are unjustified and need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

TimH comments on Need some advice about a Ara Macaw Parrot

There are 2 macaws - different colours one blue one red that live in the ground of the Colegio Carlomagno which is on the main road from Armenia to Pereira just outside Armenia. You might ask if a) they`re missing one or b) they want another

TimH comments on Cocora Valley

Well I stand corrected - didn´t know there was an alternative route through to Cocora

TimH comments on Cocora Valley

Not a horserider myself so not speaking from much experience. I just know that before the road to Cocora was paved (about 4 years ago) all the guys who rent horses used it - now they don`t. Doesn`t the old indian trail hit the road once you`re in the valley ? And then it`s along the road to Cocora. Isn`t the route you`re talking about one of the circular routes the guys from Salento do - the Simon Bolivar trail takes you down towards Boquia - I´m very familiar with that route I walk it every day - we have a coffee farm down there.

TimH comments on Cocora Valley

If you`re flying - personally I`d go Bogota - Armenia rather than Bogota - Pereira. There is more hastle getting to Salento from Pereira airport than getting to Salento from Armenia airport. Have to disagree a little with billyb Wouldn`t personally ride horses from Salento to cocora - it`s along a paved road and at weekends there is a lot of traffic. A lot of crazy colombian drivers in flash cars driving way to fast on unfamiliar roads. Personally if you want to go horseback riding do it around Salento, the Salento co-operative has a couple of members that know how to look after horses. We haven`t found anyone in Cocora who is sufficiently professional and whose horses are sufficiently well looked after to recommend. I know of Oscar Londoño but never used him - we`ve been using Alvaro Giraldo 311 375 1534 for the past 4 years and he`s 100% professional which is why we use him. Food in Balcones is very hit or miss - sometimes good - sometimes very ordinary. Alegrie just behind the main square is open at weekends only and doesn`t sell trout otherwise anywhere around the main squate will do you a trout. For somewhere to stay there is the newly renovated "Hostal Cuidad de Segorbe" which has been opened a month or two and is very comfortable Cel 320 283 6973 Tel (6) 759 3794. Also if you`re looking for a good cup of coffee including all the bells and whistles then Jesus Martinez has a coffee shop just off the main square and one in Cocora as well. He`s also been known to show people around his coffee factory for 5000 COP per person (usually tours lasy 2 hours and start about 8.00am) For all the how to information check the PH website www.theplantationhousesalento.com

TimH comments on Manizales/Armenia/Perreira/Salento tips

Check out the PBH guide for the area it`s pretty good For further information about the Quindio part of the Zona cafetera also check out www.theplantationhousesalento.com Have to echo what Simon said - stop disrespecting women and also what is this crap about guerilla activity and travelling being unsafe ? One hell of a lot of colombian and foreign tourists would disgree with you.

TimH comments on Salento - Pereira Bus

Oops forgot our website hasn`t been updated yet sorry .... Salento – Pereira Price 4,700 COP Monday to Friday Expreso Alcala 7.50 14.50 17.50 Weekends and Public Holidays Expreso Alcala 7.50 9.00 11.00 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 19.00

TimH comments on Salento - Pereira Bus

Check out http://www.theplantationhousesalento.com/findingus/gettingto/index.shtm

TimH comments on COLOMBIA: Portal Oficial de Turismo

For me the site is good - but a little too busy - too many bells and whistles. Navigation isn`t that easy either you really have to know where you are going to get there. Also the english is average. Spelling mistakes on most pages and clunky english.

TimH comments on Leaving Colombia with a child

Thought I`d post what eventually happened. Arrived at Bogota airport with said 3 year old - Colombian passport (Many thanks for that piece of advice), notarised copy of birth certicate of 3 year old, notarised copy of wifes Colombian ID and original copy or notarised permission and lo and behold no problems leaving Colombia whatsoever. Many thanks for the advice - especially about Colombian nationals needing to travel on a Colombian passport - my guess is that this is where people have problems.

TimH comments on Any web site designers in the Cali area?

Try Tony and Kim from the hosteltrail.com website They are based in Popayan but they`re very good and Popayan to cali isn`t too bad.

TimH comments on Zona Cafetera, trip report

La Linea - section from Ibague to Armenia (Wacky Races). They`re building several tunnels I believe to improve travel times.

TimH comments on Leaving Colombia with a child

Getting the passport isn`t a problem - my wifes Colombian passport took a day. was just interested in whether it was necessary or not. Sounds like a very good idea.

TimH comments on Pereira Bus Station - be careful

Not so sure about the army in Cocora. When I first came to Colombia we had a ancient old Landrover. Coming back from Cocora I stopped to pick up some army guys who had just finished their stint in Cocora - Salento I asked - nope only as far as our sgt. they replied. Cool drove with 5 of them back towards Salento. Past all their mates trudging back in the general direction of Salento. Stop - stop - stop they called - why ? There are 2 more soldiers ahead - that`s our sgt. They climbed out leaving the biggest hand grenade I`ve even seen in the back - called them back said is that yours - Oh yes thanks our sgt would not have been pleased if we`d lost that ... Hey only in Colombia...

TimH comments on Hotel / Hostel / Adventure Reccomendations

If you are buying a guidebook go with the new FOOTPRINT Colombia. Don`t touch Lonely Planet or Bradt or the VIVA guide they`re all poor value. PBH guide is a good starting point. www.hosteltrail.com is excellent too.

TimH comments on Certificate of No Criminal Record

It used to be a requirement but about 2 or 3 years ago they dropped it.

TimH comments on Tourist Visa Renewal - Six Month Maximum Per Year

Sorry to burst your bubble - but DAS have a sufficiently sophisticated computer system that will catch you out. They match on name and date of birth as well as passport number. The system isn`t clever enough to catch you entering the country but once your in amd stay in any hotel or hostel that reports arrivals to DAS your name will be flagged and they will come looking for you -if not they will collar you on leaving... They are currently looking for a romanian guy who tried the same trick

TimH comments on Eje Cafetero

For general information on the more usual activitites in the area you can also check out http://www.theplantationhousesalento.com

TimH comments on Bradt Guide?

New Lonely Planet guide coming next year - this one was written by someone competent. New Footprint Colombia 2009 - imminent (believe the hardback is now out) There will be a Rough Guide Colombia issued in 2009. Have a copy of the Bradt guide - There must be some half decent sections in it somewhere but the section on the Zona Cafetera is nothing short of awful - full of mistakes (funnily enough a lot exactly the same as The Lonely Planet has in it´s latest edition) and full of extensive quotations from the poorbuthappy guide. Have been told though not sure it is true that the authoress extensively researched the book whilst sunning herself on the beach in San Andres.

TimH comments on 2 weeks to show someone how amazing Colombia is.... HELP

Have to disagree with most of the posts on this thread. For me 5 star-ing Dad in Colombia isn`t going to work. The joy of Colombia is the people. Whether you`re a backpacker or a flashpacker the Colombian people make Colombia special. The north of Bogota is the same as the north of Quito is the same as the north of London. Why bring the guy to Colombia to show him a big city that is little different from where he came from. Visit one or two of the smaller towns - Villa de Leyva, Coffee Zone (Salento), San Gil

TimH comments on Finca in the coffee region (near Manizales, Pereira, or Armenia)

If your looking for somewhere a little cheaper. Then there`s a place with capacity of 15 in Filandia which is between Armenia and pereira. Has a pool and is comfortable without being opulent. But whatever and whenever you decide you need to do so NOW. Details are Cabaña del Recuerdo Vereda La Cauchera Finca el Recuerdo Km 5 Via Filandia - Montenegro Filandia Quindio Tel (6) 758 22 07 email : reservaselrecuerdo at hotmail.com Ask for Manuel or Gloria - mention you got the information from Plantation House Salento.

TimH comments on Gringo murdered in Armenia

Haven`t heard of the incident myself. Lived in Salento for nearly 5 years and visit Armenia at least once a week. Hop in and out of taxis and haven`t felt unsafe in Salento or Armenia during all that time. However it is Colombia and shit does happen. Then again it happens all over the world. We see a lot of travellers in Salento and so far (touch wood) none have have anything like that happen to them. Would make an observation - the article says visiting friends and relations - sort of suggests a Colombian with a green card or the like - in which case it`s not quite the same thing as Gringo getting killed. Might explain the lack of news on the story.

TimH comments on Can I fly from Bog to Medellin with just a US Drivers License or do I need my Pasaporte?

Having difficulty believing this thread. Granted airport security in the USA is so bad they´ll let anyone with an expired library ticket for id get on a plane. But please - this is Colombia travelling any distance without a cedular or passport is nothing short of crazy. Hell assuming they let you on the plane and that`s a big assumption, when you check into a hotel or hostel and they will or rather should want to see some form of valid id. Then what are you going to do ? Take a driving test - answer questions on the highway code...... DAS in Armenia would go ape-shit at us if we started quoting driving license numbers at them. Please get real.... TAKE YOUR PASSPORT if you like get a copy of the photo page and your Colombian entry stamp for day to day travelling but if you want to arrive in Medellin then take your passport.

TimH comments on Yipao in Armenia - WHEN?

Apologies for the delay but all over Armenia there are now posters about Armenia´s fiesta and the YIPAO is quoted as being Sunday the 12th.

TimH comments on Cedula Number

If you don´t mind throwing some money at the problem get a private detective... They´re all ex-DAS have contacts all over the place and with the information you have ie Cedula and name they´ll get you copies of her DAS file, bank account info, mobile phone accounts whatever you need. Mind you you pay for it... Data security in Colombia you´ve got to love it.

TimH comments on Yipao in Armenia - WHEN?

According to the telephone directory - and we all know how good that can be. The fiesta in Armenia is traditionally the 2nd week of October That sort of implies the 11th October will be the day Next week I´ll be in Armenia and see if anyone is actually prepared to commit to a date. Will get back with a definite date for you

TimH comments on Yipao in Armenia - WHEN?

Minor correction - comments regarding entrance is to the bandstand you can catch it anywhere for free.

TimH comments on Yipao in Armenia - WHEN?

Typically it´s the last saturday of fiesta week - you can catch it along Carrera 14 (Avenue Bolivar) - it usually runs 2 or 3 hours late (big surprise) and there`s a large bandstand in the Parque de Fundadores. Entrance is by ticket last year they offerd tickets at one or two of the petrol stations when you tanked up, not sure what they`re doing this year, although you can usually talk your way in especially if you`re a foreigner. Haven`t got a date for the fiesta but sometime in October is for sure. Haven`t seen the one in Calarca so don`t know about it.

TimH comments on WIN a free weeks stay-Hostel Name Contest

What about COPYCAT ME TOO or ON THE BANDWAGON.....

TimH comments on

Having done the journey numerous times. Armenia - Bogota is slower than Bogota - Armenia. You can get a good run out of Bogota and the fastest time I`ve heard of is 5 and a half hours (night journey). You never ever get a good run into Bogota - it just doesn`t happen. Bus companies quote around 7-8 hours but that doesn`t seem to include the drivers break time. On a good day La linea the section from Armenia to Ibague is spectacular and you can go through the clouds 3 or 4 times. On a bad day you`re socked in for the journey to Ibague and don`t see anything. Count on 9 hours anything less is a bonus. But if La linea is closed - accident or landslide then add x hours where x is between 4 and 8.

TimH comments on Need advice/tips to have a great time in the Coffee region of Colombia

Salento and Cocora for sure. National Coffee Park in Montenegro - the kids will enjoy the rides. You might also think about Panaca - theme park based on domesticated animals. Pet show is cheesy, but the dog show is good, the horse show is decent and the pig racing surreal. You could also check out the mariposario and Jardin Botanico in Calarca - good day out. There is also Balsaje which is slowly drifting down the river on a bamboo style raft - like the famous gold statue in the gold museum. San Vincente is cool but staying there can be expensive. Check out the PBH guide for the area.

TimH comments on Absolute can't miss's in Colombia

Just for the record Estrella de Agua - doesn´t exist any more. It`s a pile of rubble and has been for the past couple of years. The FARC destroyed it 27 months ago to protest at the Senate Election. Neither does El Bosque which was another place you could stay at (same reason - same timeframe).

TimH comments on Absolute can't miss's in Colombia

Have t5o agree Vallley of Cocora is mystical - definite don`t miss. National Parque de Cafe - you`ve got to be out of your mind. A second rate disneyland with a coffee twist. If you want to learn about coffee it`s the last place in the world (after starbucks) to visit. Visit a working coffee farm instead. Less rollercoaster more despulpadora...

TimH comments on SAN GIL SANTANDER - HOSTAL LAIKA /BACKPACKER

Strange - I thought all the wannabe hostel owners - those who haven´t done the hard work like building a backpacker business over the past few years - stuck to the big cities like Medellin and Bogota.... Another copycat hostel trying to get cash in on the "tourist boom". My advice is stick to Macondo - Shaun deserves a lot better from his (ex) employees.

TimH comments on Am I still here?

90 days is pretty usual. Getting all the paperwork together to get married with a 90 day time limit of getting each document translated into spanish and then certified so it`s valid in Colombian law can be real fun. When I went to renew my visa (I´m married to a Colombiana), they wanted a new copy of the wedding certificate - the old one wouldn`t do - we were married near Cali (because the notary wasn´t overly concerned with dates). They (the ministry of exterior relations) wouldn´t accept a faxed copy from the notary, so I ended up getting a patrimonio visa (being the father of a Colombian citizen) - fortunately our 2 year old was running around their office (and we had a copy of the birth certificate - which oddly enough was well over a year old). Go figure put it down to the vaguaries of living in Colombia.....

TimH comments on Safety of Buenaventura to Pereira bus?

Why go to Cali ? You`ve got to be adding a good 3 hours to your journey time minimum. If you look on a map the direct route from Pereira to Buenaventure is NOT via Cali. If you`re going direct surely a bus to Buga and change in Buga is a better option than Cali. For me Buenaventure is a dump of a place, the type of place that gives seaports a bad name. When you arrive at the bus station you are surrounded by people trying to convince you to buy a passage to their beach resort which is the cleanest beach in Colombia and has the whitest sand and as for whales "Well, only last week, there were 17 species of whales only 5 metres from the shore" . It says something when the price from Armenia to Buenaventura is 15,000 pesos, but the return price Buenaventura to Armenia is 17,500 pesos - one last opportunity to fleece the tourist.

TimH comments on Safety of Buenaventura to Pereira bus?

Don`t know about from Pereira but there is one company that do the route Armenia - Buenaventura - can`t remember the name of the company but the bus leaves between 8.00am and 9.00am. It is conceivable this bus starts in Pereira. Journey from Armenia took about 5 1/2 hours. I did the route 18 months ago and didn`t think it was particularly dangerous.

TimH comments on Tourist visa services at DAS office in Armenia?

Correct me if I`m wrong but isn`t Manizales a departmental Capital ? In which case won`t there be a DAS office there ? In which case why go to Armenia when you could use the DAS office in Manizales ?