I arrvied in Cartagena on the coldest bus known to man. It was actually rather warm outside, but the bus driver insisted on having the aircon pumping out snow for the duration of the trip. So no sleep for me. But what the hell... I often stay awake all night for my own amusement so no great shakes there. Cartagena then - Colombia's tourist destination par excellence. Famed for it's incredibly beautiful old town and fortifications which took two centuries to comp...

Before heading onward to Medellin we had decided on a farewell dalliance in Bogota, the Colombian capital. Once considered a good place to avoid, Bogota is now relatively safe and brimming with culture. Not that we saw much of it - we spent the weekend either in bed or in the student bar which was basically the nearest bar to the hostel. Though we did visit the Pablo Escobar museum. Which was good. After the weekend it was goodbye to Kev and Claire, they were he...

Back to Quito (again), and it was time to bid farewell to Fabien who was heading south for Peru to meet his sister. But not before a send off incorporating Thai food and a couple of flagons of rum, as once again it was free rum night at the Centro Del Mundo. Funny how our return trip alwys seem to coincide! Kevin, Claire and I arose early doors and alarmingly fresh for the trip to Tulcan, which is the Ecuadorian border town for those travelling north into Colomb...