My traveling stats

So there's a program where you can enter all of the cities that you have travelled, and it gives you some interesting facts like...

For my travel:

- 1 year, 2 months, 29 days

- 99000 km or 66000 miles

- equivalent to 2.5 times around the world

- 25 countries

- 4 continents



But now that I have safely arrived and settled into Boston, I think this will be my last post for now. Maybe I'll update once in awhile or if I go traveling again :)


- Ryoji

Last city on the itinerary

By the time I had arrived in Bogota, the Colombian capital, there was only one thing on my mind: going home. After such a long time being abroad, I could not wait to settle down. Apartment lease started, a full size bed bought and delivered, ideal smartphone shopped for, Zipcar activated, I had every reason to be excited about starting a new life in Boston, not to mention my studies.



The last 2 days in South America were a bit of a bore. Always looking forward, not much attention paid to the present. I spent the days wandering around the historic center, La Candelaria and visiting some of its museums. Both Museo de Botero and Museo del Oro (gold museum) are definitely worth visiting. By anybody's standards, the Museo del Oro is painfully thorough and educational as it is considered the world's most important gold museum.




From what I saw, Bogota seems to be another sprawling city where the historic center, entertainment district, and the financial center are miles apart. But as any capital, it's a starting/ending point for many people's travels.




- Ryoji

I wish I came HERE with a girlfriend

An absolute GEM of a city, Cartagena on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia just seems like a romantic getaway for love stricken couples. No wonder there are so many weddings around here - its surroundings gorgeous, the architecture charming, and the atmosphere vibrant.







I generally just spent the days wandering around the historical city center, the nights going out with these 2 guys from the hostel. Many of the colonial buildings are from the 17th and 18th centuries - still standing thanks to the wall all around the city. I decided to skip the beaches as I felt like I was becoming a beach snob, and I didnt feel like traveling 4 hours roundtrip only to be disappointed. In reality, it was hard to believe that the beaches are more captivating than the historic center.

I do believe that Cartagena is a Top 3 city in South America, and I would LOVE to come back here sometime.


- Ryoji

City with the worst reputation

...But one of the most pleasant cities now, Medellin. When most people hear that name, they conjure up images of Pablo Escobar, cocaine, guns, kidnapping, FARC, you name it. But in reality, those dark days when drug cartels ruled the city are over. Now, its a city with proud people, an efficient metro system, and (apparently) a great nightlife. Coming from Quito, I felt like I was in a sanctuary.

The first full day that I was there, I went to the one must-see museum of the city, Museo de Antioquia. Its famous for the Eduardo Botero collection, Medellin s famous son. He is probably the most famous international artist from Colombia. Any sculptures or paintings of fat (or voluminous, as he calls them) people or objects, probably a Botero. The city center, though noisy and bustling with activity, has a calm, clean feel. I really thought it was a nice city.





The second half of the day was spent on the Pablo Escobar tour, Medellins second famous son. During the 80s, he became the first drug dealer to export cocaine into the US. He became so rich that he was even elected to the congress before people found out where that money came from. At one point in his political life, he offered to pay off Colombias debt. He was quite the humanitarian as well. He built houses for the impoverished community in Medellin, the people of which still love him to this day. He also never did drugs, drunk alcohol, or smoke, and neither did he allow his family members.

Actually, I learned all of this one the tour. All of what I knew about Pablo Escobar, I knew from Entourage. Though expensive, the tour was wholly worth it. It started at his cemetery. Then the rooftop where he was killed (or committed suicide, some believe). But most of the tour takes place at the current house of Pablos brother, Roberto Escobar. Everybody gets to meet him, and he shows you around the house of memorabilias while personally answering our questions. Roberto used to work for the cartel as well, and at one time, the US government had a bounty reward of $10 million for Pablo or Roberto. Though a sweet old man now, he definitely went through a lot, as indicated by the bullet holes around the house.






The next day, I went to Guatape, one of the most charming villages I have seen. Not sure if pictures can do justice...

Close to the village is the El Penol granite monolith seemingly jetting out of the artificial lake. Its a nice walk there, and its an even nicer walk up to the monolith. 650 steps high, it offers the tired hikers a chance to look over the whole Antioquia region. All in all, Medellin was a great introduction to Colombia. I definitely got a sense that I will enjoy this country as much as all of the travelers I have met have attested. The food is really good, both in restaurants and on the streets, the people are really nice, and tourists are still few and far in between.




- Ryoji

One hell of a dodgy city, Quito

After 5 days of paradise on the islands, it was time to face reality again. No more prepared meals, professional guide, or being absolutely carefree. And of all of the places Ive been, I thought the Mariscal district (where most hostels are located) in Quito was the most dangerous. And many people I have spoken to share the same sentiment. After 6 or 7pm, the area is absolutely filled with crackheads and junkies that are roaming the streets yelling god-knows-what. Especially on Sunday when it is absolutely DEAD.

But the colonial old town of the capital is rather picture-esque and photogenic. Like many towns in South America, colonial houses painted in playful colors, begging for a postcard opportunity. Its a wonderful part of the city to wander. It is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



The center also houses a plethora of small churches as well as a basilica that rivals those in Europe. One amusing aspect of the basilica is that the gargoyles on the facade are actually blue-footed boobies. And the Last Supper hosts a roasted guinea pig in the center, a favorite dish in Peru and Equador. Those built by a French architect, the local flavor was not completely lost.




Most of my time was actually spent thinking about how to get to Colombia. Apparently, the border crossing between Equador and Colombia isnt too safe, especially the bus between Pasto and Popayan. So instead of taking the risk, I spent a good chunk of money to fly to Medellin in central Colombia. With only one week left in my trip, I consider it a money well spent.






- Ryoji

Losing a staring contest against wild animals, only at Galapagos

Wildlife takes on a whole new meaning at this group of islands off the coast of Equador. It's truly a unique place. Galapagos Islands. It felt like I returned to nature for a mere 5 days as civilization was restricted to only a handful of cruise boats. Furthermore, it was as if the wild animals did not care at all about human presence. We were not part of their food chain. We didn't pose a threat. So they calmly blink at you, only with curiosity.

It was expensive though. I had orgaized the 5 day/4 night cruise months ahead of time and had already paid the total in full. Even for a basic cheap cruise, it ate 1/3 of my budget (or whatever budget I used to have). But unfortunately, a cruise where you sleep on board is the only way to really see all of what the islands have to offer. I chose the more "wildlife oriented" route, which included the Floreana, Espanola, Santa Fe, and North Seymour Islands. Each island offers a drastically different landscape and species though only a few km away.

For this entry though, I think it's much better to just let the pictures do the talking. Nature was and should be the highlight of this trip.















- Ryoji

The first beach of the summer

On the border of Equador and Peru lies a tiny "paradise" called Mancora, where most Peruvians can only hope to go one day. But frankly, it's incomparable to the pristine sands of the Pehrentian Islands in Malaysia, the party scene of Koh Samui in Thailand, or the beautiful girls in string bikinis on the Ipanema Beach in Rio. Mancora is rather tiny, not too clean, and the sand is hard and gritty. I'm not trying to be a spoiled brat, but it's hard not to compare. As much as I absolutely loved the South of Peru, I can't find many compliments for the lackluster North. But that's just my opinion.




So after a few hours of sunbathing in 2 days, I was ready to go. It was still a nice time to relax, read, and update the blog. The day before the flight, I hurried to Guayaquil in Equador to make sure that I will be on time for my flight. After a bit of a hassle, I was ready.

- Ryoji