We took the overnight bus to Medellin, saving us a days accomodation whilst getting us north for Xmas. The journey took longer than expected, however we have had so many 'unexpected' delays they are no longer unexpected. We were stuck in a line of traffic at about 3am probally due to a landslide but I didn't see it as I fell back to sleep.

The route was twisty so I slept with my arm wrapped around the half raised arm rest. Being in the aisle at the back next to the toilet I was repeatedly woken up by a steady stream of people going to the loo during the night. It seems that people lose their sence of balance coming back rather than to the toilet - did have some time to ponder this.

We got into Medellin at 7am looking pretty knackered. Rather than going to find somewhere to stay and rest we first had to go across the city to the north bus terminal just to reserve a coach for Cartagena the next day.

We checked into Casa Kiwi a boutique hostel with a Buda theme. As hostels go this is pretty tidy boasting a tiered theatre room, pool table, bar and nice roof top terrace with a small pool and views of the city. Medellin does not seem to be short of good places to stay, it is like they all copy each other. This copying only happens within the same area, creating consistent pockets of either good or bad hostels.

The problem with good hostels is that they feel more like hotels where everyone feels less outgoing, the cheapest hostels normally have the best atmosphere and interesting people.

The hostel is in the Zona Rosa area, this is always the posh area in any city in Latin America. This area has all the nicest shops and nightclubs, it looks more like Miami than what you would expect of Colombia.

We are unlikely to sample the nightlife here, one it is expensive and two we are not feeling it. We have found that the spur of the moment decisions are always the best nights. Being overbudget in Colombia we have to pick the party days very carefully.

We stayed in the room, I was sorting through pictures, writting blogs and later playing Poker on an iPhone app to 3am. Liz was reading and then drawing a birthday card for Maxes 30th birthday that we took a picture of and sent. Downstairs loud music and laughing made you feel a bit like you were missing out but we are here for one night and constantly making new friends does get a bit tiring after a while. Cartagena and especially Santa Marta will be cheaper places to let our hair down again.