Columbia, Sit down and get comfy for this one!

Too cute!

Just more beautiful countryside

Big city, bright lights

¿Where's Waldo?

Ken looks for a little help

And baby makes three

New Years...B.Y.O.B....(bed)

Small towns dot the farmland

Starting to see some more roughed mountians

A new year and a new continent for us. At last we have made it to Columbia safe and sound and without any problems at the border for ourselves or the bike. In fact we said to each other "is that it-nada mas?". The people at Girag, the company that shipped the bike, were a little confused about whether we needed the bike inspected or not but we rode the bike out the door and down the front steps with a smile on our faces and without paying an extra cent for importation, yeh!

We rode off into Bogota, population 7 million plus ( did I mention that we hate big cities?) to try and find a hotel and our moto vests. Every motorbike rider has to wear a reflective vest with the licence plate # on the back and also have the # on the back of his helmet, passenger includes. The only place in the world, as Ken keeps telling everyone. In a city this size we decided to hire ourselves a taxi to help us out and believe me he was worth his weight in gold. Oh by the way, he happened to know someone who had a good hotel. So money in hand, vests on our backs and a bed for the night we figured life was good in Columbia. Prices may be a little higher than we are used to but but "better safe than sorry".

First thing in the morning we are up and headed north out of the city, did we mention how we hate big cities...but after we are out...what a ride! Beautiful farmland in a valley that eventually disappears into hills, canyons and at last the spectacular scenery of the very northern end of the Andes Mountians. Is this any kind of perview of what is to come? I am going to like Columbia!The food at the place we found for lunch on the side of the road was delicious, a collection of typical Columbian fare, thick tortilla like patties stuffed with fresh cheese and then fried, chiriso sausage bbq´d over a flame and empanadas stuffed with some kind of meat and rice. Food doesn´t have calories when you are on the road. Wash all this down with a diet coke and a beer and you have a filling lunch for under 5 bucks.

On to Medellin and New Years! Crap...another big city and everyone who doesn´t live there is there for the holidays. After the local policia got us pointed in the general direction we wanted to go, but not quite, we ran into Freddy our private Guia. Freddy saved us money, time and probably our skin leading us through the traffic and some shady areas on his Yamaha 90 scooter, to a reasonably priced hotel with secure parking. All three bikes made it there together and in one piece. Thank you, thank you, thank you Freddy! As per Freddy´s suggestion we hired a taxi that night to drive us around the city to look at the Christmas lights ( oh how it reminded me of the old days). I swear Medellin looked like a Columbian Las Vegas, every square, park and cathedral was lit up. The river that runs through town had lights suspended across it. Thousands of people walked the streets enjoying food from all food and drink vendors and listening to the music, every once in a while the taxi driver would let us jump out and take pictures. What a city, I felt bad for cursing it earlier that day. The next day we still had more to see so we jumped on the metro and for the price of a ticket rode from one end of town to the other, including a ride up the mountian on a gondola where we was a great view of the city. Home to the hotel, a quiet dinner with Della and Kelly, and a toast to 2007 with a local apple wine at midnight. At little reflection of the year gone by...it´s been fun, it´s been an adventure, it´s been exciting, it´s been life at it´s best and I don´t think we would change it for the world. Life is good on the road.

We found the best time to get out of town is early in the a.m. and New Years day was even quieter, so off we went Cali bound and I´ll say it again....a beautiful drive. Cali, another big city but we need tires and Cali is the place to get them so here we go. All I can say is "I don´t know what we would do without taxi drivers", $2.00 got us a guide to the hotel we picked out in The Lonely Planet. Again a little more money than we are used to but definately the nicest hotel this couple has ever stayed in. Owned by a Swiss couple, the hotel is right out of Europe, a castle-like mansion with suites Ken and I feel small in ( and the price includes breakfast, internet, and free coffee all day...I can just about drink 50 bucks worth of coffee!).

Ken´s got the front tire for Suzie (we felt obligated to name our bike as everyone else we have met on this trip has!), a new Michelin Anakee. Same price as in Canada and about half the price they quoted us in Medellin, it should be good now for the rest of the trip but we will need a new rear tire before Chile. The tire balanced out and brakes and wheel bearings are like new. We still haven´t had to adjust the chain thanks to the Elf chain paste with toothbrush application. Thanks Shaun!

Columbia definately is every bit as beautiful as everything we heard, and personal safety is not an issue. The main highways are patroled and watched continually by friendly military, and as we found out the local police are always willing to help you out. Of course there are rough areas as there are in every country but we have not felt personally threatened at any time. When the locals recomend you not go to different areas however, it does make you think twice about how easy life is at home. People here are not quite as friendly, at first, as they are in other countries we have been in but after they warm up to you they truely are genuine.

Time to head for Equador, Columbia has been great and a fantastic introduction to South America.