Well what can I say Bogotá is huge! With a population of almost 7.5million, compared to the whole of Ireland at less than 6.5 million, no matter how long I spent here I was only going to touch the surface.

My first night I barely did that. After clearing immigration, which took nearly 2 hours and getting a cab into town it was almost 7pm before I arrived at my hostel. So I asked the lovely receptionists -two of whom were called Laura, so I already knew they were amazing ;) where I could grab some food. They explained that since Colombia wasn't known for its own outstanding culinary cuisine (think about it, have you ever been to a Colombian restaurant?) they instead had a lot of international food available. I opted for Greek on my first night and got a great lamb wrap. I was heading to bed when I heard the unmistakable Irish twang coming from a group in the common room. Even with only 6.5 million of us, we get everywhere. Couldn't believe it there were 3 individual travellers all from Ireland, one even from my county sitting in my hostel in Colombia- could you beat it!

There were plenty of activities available even from the hostel itself to help you explore the city, including a bike tour which I didn't do but everyone raved about it. You could climb up el Cerro de Montserrate, a large hill with great views of the city, which they recommend you do with caution during the week as there have been a few robberies on the quiet route on weekdays. However I attempted to do it on a Sunday and oh my God it's rammed beyond belief. It's a full family day out complete with a million vendors selling everything but the kitchen sink. I was on a tight schedule to do it and given the crowds had to turn back. Talk about a feast or a famine- think I'd take my chances with the robbers next time!

There are a number of great museums to choose from, I opted for the Museo del Oro which I though was great, so many beautiful pieces and really brought to life with the background stories supplied by our great guide. They have guided tours Tue & Sat 11am & 4pm. And Museo Botero was lovely. I just can't help but smile looking at his beautiful paintings and sculptures. They are just so joyful. He paints mainly chubby women and men in tight fitting dresses and suits but also chubby horses and all sorts. He just seems to love anything curvaceous and brings out the absolute beauty in them. A really great way to spend an hour. I challenge you to come out without a smile on your face!

There are also a ton of churches to visit, I didn't particularly select ones to go to I just kept stumbling across them and popping in.

As with anywhere the best way to see a place is with a local, so luckily I'd been put in touch with a friend of a friend Federico who had offered to show me around the city. So he drove me all around the city showing me various neighbourhoods and cool places. But the best thing was knowing where to go out. So he took me to his neighbourhood La Macarena (it took everything in me not to break out into the dance every time he said the name) which is a pretty nice neighbourhood with lots of cool restaurants and bars. We went to a lovely tapas restaurant there and after a jug of sangria decided we should explore some night life. We went to La Baum a techno club in that area. It seemed to be the place to be as there was already a pretty big line outside. I was a little concerned about getting in as I didn't have any ID with me, but I think this might actually have worked in my favour as I think I was about 10 years older than most of the clientele but whatever. After a few words with the bouncer we managed to skip the queue and then the drinks really started flowing. I had my first taste of Aguardiente, which is the local spirit made from sugar cane and tastes of Sambucca. But you know the drill after the 2nd or 3rd shot it tastes fine- and no one is going home anytime soon! It was a fun night and a great introduction into Colombian nightlife! More please J

I did explore a few other neighbourhoods including Usaquén in the north which has some lovely little market stalls around its cute plaza on a Sunday and lots of nice restaurants ad bars. As I'd failed to get my panoramic view of the city from Montserrate Federico took me to La Calera another spot on the edge of the city to get a view from a different angle and it definitely gives you some idea of the sheer scale of this mammoth metropolis.

I definitely haven't finished exploring the city but the desert was calling as a cool Spanish girl I'd met in the hostel was keen to go there too we decided to team up. So Bogota, I'll be back!

Practical Info

Accommodation: Cranky Croc 24,000 COP per night in 10 bed dorm. A really great social place.

http://www.crankycroc.com/