#sierra vieja mountains

[theburdenofbearinglight]

way out west the other day

[ochoislas]

noche de otoño... oteando los planetas se une un extraño

autumn evening... as we stare at the planets a stranger joins us

Jerry Ball

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 hojas secas el prior barre  alrededor

 fallen leaves the abbot sweeps  around them

John Brandi

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entre árboles horros      mi cabeza de ideas      atosigada

among leafless trees      too many thoughts      in my head

David Elliott

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cementerio en calma brisa tibia y el alfabeto desbaratado

quiet graveyard warm breeze and an end to alphabetic order

LeRoy Gorman

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estrella fugaz... de repente la fogata se aviva sola

shooting star— abruptly the campfire rekindles itself

alba en la Sierra... la pinocha hundiéndose en mancha de nieve

Sierra sunrise... pine needles sink deeper in a patch of snow

 antes de entrar    tras irnos sala de meditación

  before we enter     after we leave the meditation room

Christopher Herold

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eco del monte más vieja soy si lo escucho

mountain echo I'm older when I hear it

equinoccio... mi alianza atascada en el desagüe

equinox — my wedding ring stuck in the drain

Jane Reichhold

[madeliaudsley-blog]

Most of the Carnival cruises with the departure from San Diego

 sail away to various great cities from the Mexican Riviera and these cruises are generally being done on Carnival Spirit in 7 day or 8 day cruises. The various destinations are Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas.

The Mexican Riviera is generally considered to by on of the most extraordinary diving destinations. In these areas you will be able to find some really fantastic cobalt waters, really nice people, Cabo Yacht Rentals great festival events, Mayan ruins, fantastic restaurants, all which are located pretty much in the same area. You will have the option to snorkel in a beautiful blue lagoon or simply go an awesome shore excursion. There are tropical birds, iguanas or extraordinary flora which can be observed near Cozumel, which is one of the various ports where San Diego Carnival cruises will stop.

The Carnival cruises from San Diego generally sail away along the fantastic Rivera seaboard and all the way up to the some great sights from the Mexican Riviera.

Acapulco is considered to be on of the greatest ports where Carnival cruises are usually stopping. This is because of the many awesome sights which can be seen here, such as La Quebrada diving cliff. Here features a fiery nightlife that will usually attract young summer enthusiasts from all over the world. They generally come here for the great beaches which always look like they have been simply slipped from a travel magazine. The sights here are simply amazing and the restaurants usually serve great delectable type of meals.

Another great port of call for San Diego Carnival cruise is Cabo San Lucas. This area has extraordinary beaches and a nightlife which will always keep tourists up until morning. The climate here is really warm and dry, reason for which Cabo San Lucas becomes a great place for you to lie around the beach and just stare away into the blue ocean.

Mexico is often considered one of the best romantic getaways from the United States not only because it is extremely affordable but also because it offers a perfect mix of beaches, nightlife, spas and activities such as golf, scuba diving and snorkeling. There are several cities in Mexico that are good choices for a bit of romance with their scenic beauty, history, and old world charm.

Cancun

Besides providing easy access to Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza and the El Castillo pyramid, Cancun is special because of the barrier reef that forms a ring around the island making it a natural aquarium teeming with tropical marine life. In addition, the affordable accommodations, the Caribbean style beaches with turquoise waters and powdery sands, and the variety of water sports such as jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling and wind surfing makes it a popular romantic destination for couples.

Acapulco

With its white sand beaches, clear blue waters, lively nightlife and water sports, Acapulco is a favorite with celebrities and the jet set crowd. Enjoy quieter beaches such as Barra Vieja 20 miles east of the city, with its romantic setting of coconut palms, banana trees and exotic bird species or get the best views of the sunset from Pie de la Cuesta. Don't miss the La Quebrada cliff divers in action as they plunge from a 130 meter high cliff into the shallow waters below. At night, hit one of the popular nightclubs and party till the wee hours of the morning or have a quiet al fresco dinner at a restaurant. There are also museums, water sports, shopping and a range of other activities, so you won't be short of things to do.

Los Cabos

The two resort towns in Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, are best known for their spectacular scenery and water sports. Vast stretches of desert with cactus, mountains in the background, rock formations, white sand beaches and sapphire waters present a stunning setting. In addition, there is a host of adventure activities and sports such as golf, hiking, fishing, diving and whale watching to keep you busy.

Puerto Vallarta

Of all the destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta still retains quaintness and an old feel in addition to the beautiful coastline. Its location between lush green mountains and the blue waters of the Bay of Banderas makes its setting unique. You can explore the charming town with its old tiled roof buildings and paved streets, go horseback riding on the mountain trails or hike to a nearby waterfall for a truly quiet vacation.

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

Located on the west coast of Mexico in the southern part of the Sierra Madre valley, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are twin cities with similar tropical settings in the midst of the mountainous region and the golden sand beaches. However, they have completely different identities. While Ixtapa offers more modern resort facilities, an ecological reserve and a busy nightlife, Zihuatanejo is more rural with a quieter atmosphere and a sheltered harbor. Ixtapa has luxury hotels, restaurants, clubs and golf courses while its unpretentious neighbor has old cafes, family run restaurants and colorful local markets. Together, they present the best of both worlds.

Before planning a romantic getaway to Mexico make sure you check on the weather as certain areas are prone to hurricanes during some seasons. Decide on whether you would like to experience the luxury of a world class resort or the quaint local charm and choose a destination accordingly.

[goalhofer]

U.S. Daily Precipitation Records Tied/Broken 12/12/22

Unincorporated Copper River Census Area, Alaska: 0.77" (previous record 0.15" 1987)

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska: 1.6" (previous record 1.22" 1982)

Unincorporated Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska: 1.32" (previous record 0.91" 1944)

Carefree, Arizona: 0.43" (previous record 0.25" 2003)

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: 0.39" (previous record 0.14" 1993)

Parker, Arizona: 0.31" (previous record 0.3" 1906)

Picacho Peak State Park, Arizona: 0.32" (previous record 0.23" 2003)

Unincorporated Pima County, Arizona: 0.4" (previous record 0.35" 1984)

Prescott, Arizona: 0.5" (previous record 0.34" 2011)

Tempe, Arizona: 0.23" (previous record 0.2" 1991)

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Arizona: 2.25" (previous record 0.96" 1937)

Tucson, Arizona: 0.5" (previous record 0.34" 2015)

Winslow, Arizona: 0.37" (previous record 0.32" 2015)

Barstow, California: 0.85" (previous record 0.25" 2014)

Unincorporated San Diego County, California: 1.42" (previous record 1.02" 1993)

Sierra National Forest, California: 3.09" (previous record 2.73" 1937)

Viejas Reservation, California: 0.95" (previous record 0.5" 1951)

Lynx Pass summit, Colorado: 0.5" (previous record 0.4" 2019)

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: 0.4" (also 0.4" 2002)

San Juan National Forest, Colorado: 0.6" (also 0.6" 2011)

Howe, Idaho: 1" (previous record 0.7" 1995)

Unincorporated Owyhee County, Idaho: 0.8" (previous record 0.45 1995)

Snake River Birds Of Prey Conservation Area, ID: 0.37" (previous record 0.3" 1937)

South Mt. summit, Idaho: 0.9" (also 0.9" 2006)

Unincorporated Twin Falls County, Idaho: 0.4" (also 0.4" 2019)

Topeka, Kansas: 0.31" (previous record 0.2" 2001)

Unincorporated Beaverhead County, Montana: 0.15" (previous record 0.13" 1983)

Unincorporated Cascade County, Montana: 0.29" (previous record 0.24" 2013)

Unincorporated Chouteau County, Montana: 0.32" (previous record 0.13" 2010)

Unincorporated Chouteau County, Montana: 0.24" (previous record 0.22" 1958)

Crow Reservation, Montana: 0.09" (previous record 0.07" 1995)

Shelby, Montana: 0.34" (previous record 0.25" 1951)

Unincorporated Teton County, Montana: 0.26" (previous record 0.14" 1972)

Unincorporated Toole County, Montana: 0.19" (previous record 0.14" 1972)

Lexington, Nebraska: 0.34" (previous record 0.04" 2015)

Great Basin National Park, Nevada: 0.25" (previous record 0.15" 1992)

Humboldt National Forest, Nevada: 1.2" (previous record 1" 2009)

Bend, Oregon: 3" (previous record 1.28" 1948)

Unincorporated Jefferson County, Oregon: 0.85" (previous record 0.59" 1995)

Unincorporated Jefferson County, Oregon: 1.29" (previous record 0.65" 1995)

Unincorporated Malheur County, Oregon: 0.55" (previous record 0.53" 1983)

Unincorporated Malheur County, Oregon: 0.62" (previous record 0.39" 1995)

Moro, Oregon: 1.4" (previous record 0.84" 1995)

Steens Mt. Management & Protection Area, OR: 1.5" (previous record 1" 1983)

Paint Rock, Texas: 1" (previous record 0.95" 1923)

Ashley National Forest, Utah: 0.6" (previous record 0.5" 1995)

Unincorporated Cache County, Utah: 0.34" (previous record 0.31" 1995)

Canyonlands National Park, Utah: 0.11" (previous record 0.09" 2015)

Dinosaur National Monument, Utah: 1" (previous record 0.72" 1920)

Unincorporated Iron County, Utah: 0.61" (previous record 0.13" 1993)

La Verkin, Utah: 0.36" (previous record 0.28" 1990)

New Harmony, Utah: 0.77" (previous record 0.4" 1940)

Roosevelt, Utah: 0.2" (previous record 0.14" 1965)

Unincorporated San Juan County, Utah: 0.22" (previous record 0.18" 2020)

Wasatch National Forest, Utah: 0.5" (previous record 0.4" 2019)

Colville, Washington: 0.76" (previous record 0.6" 1933)

Battle Peak summit, Wyoming: 0.6" (previous record 0.3" 2009)

Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming: 0.4" (previous record 0.3" 1983)

Divide Peak summit, Wyoming: 0.7" (also 0.7" 2019)

Lander, Wyoming: 0.49" (previous record 0.29" 1992)

Routt National Forest, Wyoming: 0.5" (also 0.5" 1985)

Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming: 0.4" (also 0.4" 1995)

Unincorporated Sweetwater County, Wyoming: 0.1" (previous record 0.08" 2016)

Wind River Reservation, Wyoming: 0.2" (also 0.2" 1983)

[paleogenetica]

Cap 169 : Una Cueva en México arruina las Teorías del Poblamiento del Nuevo Mudno

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La Cueva Chiquihuite a 2746 mts de Altura sobre el Nivel del Mar y a Mil Metros sobre el Valle abajo en México Norte lejos de las Costas. Las Puntas Líticas fueron traídas de Lejos y se encuentran junto a Materiales orgánicos datables por RadioCarbono. Laboratorios muy prestigiosos de Estados Unidos las fechan en 13,000 a 16,600 Años antes del Presente.

Fechas Cercanas al Ultimo Máximo Glacial hace 20,000 Años. La Mitad de NorteAmérica y Europa estaba cubierta de Hielo.

La Universidad de Zacatecas en México con Arqueólogos de diversos Países publica un Estudio.

Un Segundo Estudio de Lorena Becerra Valdivia de la Universidad de Oxford y de South Wales con Thomas Higham dice que la Evidencia de Laboratorios de Física nos señala Llegadas de Paleoindios al Nuevo Mundo en Tiempos del Ultimo Máximo Glacial hace 20,000 Años o mas antes.

Un segundo Grupo de Paleoindios pudo llegar en un Interestadial caliente hace 15,000 Años aproximadamente y producir una Explosión Demográfica y esos fueron los Sitios famosos de Clovis y otros mas recientes que se encontraron hace Tiempos en el Siglo 20.

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Muy alto en la  Sierra Madre hay una Cueva. En el Suelo de esa Cueva hay un Sedimento, soplado por el Desierto y comprimido por Milenios. Excavan hasta el Fondo del Sedimento y hay Hojas aguzadas cortantes de Piedra que no deberían estar ahí. Porque estas Herramientas de Piedra han sido trabajadas por el Hombre, no se puede dudar de su Factura por Paleoindios y son Cientos, son el doble de Viejas que lo que ha creído la Ciencia y lo que se ha popularizado sobre el Poblamiento del Nuevo Mundo.

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Si los Paleoindios llegaron hace 20,000 Años o mas, entonces tuvo que ser navegando en Botes por el Océano Pacífico, pues el Corredor o Paso Libre de Hielo entre la Capa de Hielo Laurentida y la Cordillerana ( costera ) estaba tapado por el Hielo. Cuando se descongeló después del Año 13,000 AP dejó por Cientos de Años un Sitio muy inhóspito para los Animales y el Hombre y muy poco viable. Vea la Cueva Chiquihuite en México Norte y lejos de las Costas.

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Es posible que la Población Paleoindia que ocupó primero la Cueva de Chiquihuite y sus Amigos muy antiguos se haya extinguido, pudo ser que por alguna Razón, como una Enfermedad o Catástrofe, y que no hayan dejado Descendencia Indígena para nosotros reconocer el Día de Hoy.

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Smithsonian Magazine :

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Surprisingly old stone points found in a Mexican cave are the latest intriguing discovery among many to raise questions about when humans really arrived in the Americas.

For most of the 20th century archaeologists generally agreed that humans who had crossed the Beringia land bridge from Siberia to North America only ventured further into the continent only when retreating ice sheets opened a migration corridor, about 13,000 years ago.

But a few decades ago, researchers began discovering sites across the Americas that were older, pushing back the first Americans’ arrival by a few thousand years.

Now, the authors of a new study at Mexico’s Chiquihuite cave suggest that human history in the Americas may be twice that long. Put forth by Ciprian Ardelean, an archaeologist at the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (Mexico), and his colleagues, the new paper suggests people were living in central Mexico at least 26,500 years ago.

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Discovery in Mexican Cave May Drastically Change the Known Timeline of Humans’ Arrival to the Americas

In a controversial new study, scientists cite artifacts dating the event to more than 26,000 years ago

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https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/when-did-humans-reach-america-mexican-mountain-cave-artifacts-raise-new-questions-180975385/

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Próximo Mapa = en Rojo la Nueva Teoría 1A, dice que llegan en Botes por el Océano Pacífico hace mas de 20,000 Años ( Ultimo Máximo Glacial ), la Teoría 1B en Azul dice que llegan por el Puente terrestre de Beringia y entran por un Corredor entre dos Capas de Hielo hacia Estados Undidos. El Corredor o Paso entre las dos Capas de Hielo : la Laurentida a la derecha y la Cordillerana a la Izquierda formó el Río MacKenzie cuando se descongeló.

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Fuente : Mail Online

First humans may have reached the Americas and settled in Mexico 15,000 years EARLIER than previously thought, study shows

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8548977/First-humans-reached-Americas-15-000-years-EARLIER-thought.html

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En el siguiente Mapa ves el Río MacKenzie del Canadá. Ese Río lo dejó el Deshielo de las dos Grandes Capas de Hielo que estorbaban el Paso de los Paleoindios. El famoso “Corredor libre de Hielo” corresponde a la Cuenca de este Río.  O sea a las Regiones del Yukon, British Columbia y Alberta.

Por ahí pasaron muchos Bisontes, Animales y Paleoindios, pero solo después de 13,000 Años antes del Presente cuando ya Estados Unidos estaba muy habitado. Ver la Investigación de los Bisontes mas abajo.

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En el siguiente Artículo los Investigadores encuentran que el Corredor o Paso entre las dos Capas de Hielo del Canadá se abrió muy tarde hacia el Año 13,000 antes del Presente, y ya había muchos Paleoindios mas hacia el Sur en los Estados Unidos. Esa Investigación se hizo con Restos de Bisontes en el Area investigada. Los firmantes están convencidos que la Ruta costera fue la seguida por los primeros llegados a América, y que la Ruta entre Hielos, que corresponde mas o menos al actual Río MacKenzie fue impracticable.

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

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Consequences of the Postglacial Corridor Chronology for North American Human Prehistory.

The expansion of bison into the corridor region provides proxy evidence for when this route was viable for human populations and, in doing so, allows further refinement of New World human settlement scenarios. Human genetic and archaeological evidence indicate that eastern Beringia and parts of the Americas well south of the ice sheets were populated by 14,000 cal y BP, suggesting that migration out of Beringia probably began more than 15,000 cal y BP ago.

Our chronology for the opening of the postglacial corridor indicates that a fully habitable corridor connected Beringia and interior North America by ∼13,000 cal y BP. This timing precludes the postglacial corridor as a southward route for initial human dispersal into the Americas, the corollary being that the first indigenous peoples leaving Beringia probably took a coastal route or potentially moved through western North America before glacial coalescence.

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Bison phylogeography constrains dispersal and viability of the Ice Free Corridor in western Canada

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https://www.pnas.org/content/113/29/8057

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Descubren evidencia humana de 30,000 años de antigüedad en la Cueva del Chiquihuite, Zacatecas

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Descubren evidencia humana de 30,000 años de antigüedad en la Cueva del -Chiquihuite. Entrevista con Joaquín Arroyo-Cabrales

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Evidencia de actividad humana con 30,000 años de antigüedad en la cueva mexicana del Chiquihuite.

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Edward Pacheco González

El descubrimiento de una cueva en el estado de Zacatecas, en el norte de México, dio un giro sorprendente a lo que se sabía sobre el momento en que los primeros seres humanos llegaron a América. Hasta ahora se estimaba que los Clovis (Cultura Clovis), considerados los primeros pobladores del continente, habían llegado a él hace unos 13.500 años.

Pero las evidencias encontradas en la llamada cueva del Chiquihuite, a más de 2.700 metros sobre el nivel del mar, sugieren que fue ocupada por personas hace aproximadamente entre 30.000 y 13.000 años. Un estudio multidisciplinar, liderado por la Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas y publicado este miércoles en la revista Nature, basó sus conclusiones en el análisis de restos de cientos de herramientas hechas con piedra, huesos de animal, plantas y sedimentos.

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Sistema Zacatecano de Radio y Televisión

Ubicada a mil metros sobre el suelo del valle, en el municipio de Concha del Oro, se encuentra un vestigio que podría cambiar la historia de la humanidad: la cueva “Chiquihuite”, espacio que cobró relevancia tras el descubrimiento de restos que sugieren

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[maximus31]

The Dreamer Hostel turned out to be quite a party hostel, with daily games for travellers to play and get drunk. This resulted in me playing Beer Pong for the first time, killer pool and card games in order to just drink more. It was just like being at University again. Also it was a great way of meeting my fellow travellers. All of them shocked when they found out my age.. “I thought you would have been late twenties max” they say lol.

Sitting at the bar, drinking a Club Colombia and chatting to Scott the Canadian that had a story for everything. I clock the bar girls stop mid pour and stare over my shoulder, I slowly turn to see what has caught their attention. Four guys arrive, the front two ripped and in good shape, and all in their twenties.

James was the blond with perfectly styled hair, who looked like he had just walked off the set of ‘Made in Chelsea’. It’s turns out he went to Harrow School, need i say more .. The other Ed, had the most incredible blue eyes that dazzled you against his dark hair and tan.

It turns out they are from the UK, best of mates that have just graduated and are travelling for a year. They join in on the drinking games with everyone else and once enough is consumes and the bar closes, we all head to a salsa club La Puetra in Santa Marta.

Boys being boys, they lark about and poor old Max, one of the four ends up with a sprained finger from trying to punch Ed. I sense this will be the sort of antics that will carry on through their year of travels. If they make it that far alive… Hilarious to watch.

So Hostel life has treated me pretty well so far, but I soon realise that it is a hot bed for germs and god knows what else. All across Santa Marta there is a break out of pink eye, and several in my hostel have it. Apparently it had originated from the ‘Lost City’ four day trek, and from a couple of Gringos. Some travellers coming North from Medellin report of it having made it the 835 km South. 

Luckily I have avoided it – maybe it’s because I never use the gross hand towels. Why would anyone!!!

One of the good things about being gay in Colombia, is there is little chance of meeting a hooker in a bar. For the straights its just damned hard to avoid it. Prostitution in Colombia is legal and they are everywhere.

Dancing on the rooftop at La Brisa Loca – the best venue I have been to in Colombia. An attractive woman comes up to me and starts to dance, we speak some Spanish. I find out she is from Medellín and then she grabs my crotch and says “You like Sex”…

I say “No Gracias¨and move away.

Now I warn a couple of my new found friends to be careful of the the ladies, that some are ‘ladies of the night’. The majority heed my advice and some do not.. #dontkissahooker.

Thankfully we all successfully make it back to the hostel together.

What I love about this travelling alone, is you can do what you want when you want, you have the freedom to choose and just go with the flow. I did exactly this and changed my plans and headed to Minca and stayed at Casas Viejas for two nights.

Minca lies 650m high in the Sierra Nevada and is a new find on the traveller route for Colombia, so still pretty unspoilt and only 15km from Santa Marta.

Casas Viejas is thirty minutes further up the mountain and only accessible by motorbike. I hop on the back with both my travel backpacks and make the steep climb sometimes off road. Ouch my thighs..

I hop off the bike at my destination. The beautiful Casas Viejas is in the middle of a finca – coffee farm. The view from the main dinning area is the best I have seen yet. Looking out across the jungle to the cloud covered mountains ahead with just the birds playing their tunes. Absolute paradise.

     The mornings are even more spectacular and on a clear day you can see Santa Marta on the horizon. At night your can walk higher up the finca to ‘Sunset point’ with a beer and watch the sky turn red and see the twinkling lights of Santa Marta in the distance. The food is pretty good here too, all cooked by volunteers. It’s perfect for hiking, bird watching over 300 species and seeing a lot of bugs, spiders and butterflies.

     The Coffee tour at La Victoria, was well worth the 20,000cop £5. This Coffee farm like so many others is completely self sustainable thanks to the nearby waterfall powering everything. The water powers a single generator that powers the farm, the local brewery , the surrounding houses and the hostel.

A 24 pipe system across 150 hectares delivers the freshly picked Coffee beans to the little processing plant, and then goes through several processes of washing to make a bean ready to sell. Who knew most coffee is sold and shipped to its destination as a white bean, and is then roasted in the final destination.

     Nothing is wasted, the good coffee beans are sold to international buyers, the less quality coffee is sold locally and the skin layers that are removed from the coffee bean are all used to make fertiliser for the new plants. Too think that this area was a no go zone for travellers just over two years ago due to the fighting that has plagued Colombia for so much of its past.

Due to my two amazingly chilled nights in the mountains I only have one night in Cartagena. Which to be honest I was fine with, from what I had heard from other travellers and from what I could see when I arrived.

After the six hour bus journey, I took the 30 minute taxi to El Viarejo in the old town, and just saw a dirty, uninspiring tourist trap, full off ugly hotels. The old town was mildly better with some colourful colonial buildings, but little else. The stifling heat and humidity makes it hard to want to do much.

Due to Avianca changing my flight to a 10am from a 7pm I didn’t have time to see much more of the city. Cali was my next destination and where my Colombian journey will come to an end.

Cali is home to Salsa, so I was so excited to be experiencing the city and meeting up with my travel chum Laura. Taking the one hour flight, was far better than the 20 hour bus. I arrived at El Viarejo in the district of San Antonio. I took a taxi from the airport which took 30 minutes and was 45,000cop £11.

El Viarejo have a few hostels in Colombia and out of the two I stayed in, this was the better of the two. The staff were much friendlier and the layout much nicer than the long corridor of Cartagena. The pool was perfect for cooling down, and the free nightly Salsa lessons were a great addition. The only down side was the bar closed 22:30, but this just forced you to head out to the many Salsa clubs, like Tin Tin Deo a must on a Thursday Evening.

The area of San Antonio was really pretty, with a great selection of restaurants and cafes. Corrine a particular favourite for freshly baked bagels and coffee for breakfast, Cafe Mocando for some delicious ice cream feasts, La 4ta Pared Cafe for a cheap evening meal.

     Like many Colombian cities, there are the usual museums and church’s to see. Cali had lots of street art and murals painted on the side buildings that gave it a more youthful influence. Also there was a great indoor market ‘Plaza de Mercado Alameda’, worth a visit to try out the many varieties of fresh fruit and many street sellers selling ceviche.

     The time has come to make my final bus journey 12 hours South to Ipiales, the closest town to make the final journey across the border to Ecuador. We were advised to book through transipiales, as they were the best operator on this route.

So glad we did, the bus was a double decker, we had seats at the front of the top deck, and the seats were super comfy and was my cheapest long distance bus journey at 45,000cop £11.

We arrived at Ipiales at 9am and were shocked by the sudden drop in temperature, from the warm sun of Cali, here I had to search for my warm coat for the first time. Ten minutes from Ipiales is the ‘Santuario De Las Lajas’, a beautiful basilica church that looks like Rivendell from lord of the rings is worth visiting.

     One thing you notice this far South is how close you are to the border of Ecuador, as the local people change. They have become shorter, rounder and more brightly dressed. Can I say that!!! Oh well I have…

     Colombia you have been more than I could have imagined, and I am sad to be leaving. I look forward to my many more future visits to your fabulous country and I hope my experience will encourage more to visit.

  ¡Hasta luego! Colombia.. Santa Marta to Cali The Dreamer Hostel turned out to be quite a party hostel, with daily games for travellers to play and get drunk.

[ochoislas]

trueno mis virutas rodando por el porche

thunder my woodshavings roll along the veranda

tras Navidad en los árboles sin vender banda de gorriones

after Christmas a flock of sparrows in the unsold trees

su ira atada corto por el cable de la cabina

his fury pulled up short by the payphone cord

húmeda mañana efectivo para un viaje caliente de la máquina

damp morning cash fos a journey warm from de machine

hondo en la sierra el espejo de afeitarse me muestra la sierra

deep in the mountains the shaving mirror shows me the mountains

Dee Evetts

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Luna de la caza: algo lava el mapache en el río

Hunter's moon: the raccoon washing something in the river

Cráneo de mofeta el olor de chaparrón estival

Skunk skull the smell of a summer shower

Garry Gay

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En la callejuela, una luz... la nieve vieja

In the back alley, one light... the old snow

John Ziemba

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mancha de sol... en una brizna la libélula cambia el agarre

spot of sunlight— on a blade of grass the dragonfly changes its grip

de la casa   al galpón      la galaxia

from house   to barn:      the milky way

Lee Gurga

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tocando cima del monte monte perdido

reaching the top of the mountain losing the mountain

Michael Fessler

[c00lmint8123-blog]

Hiking in Spain

David Brodosi

If you’re looking for a top choice for a hiking and trekking holiday, you can’t do better than Spain, with its varied landscapes, many mountain ranges, coastal routes, and well-marked trails. From the famous Camino de Santiago to the Picos de Europa National Park and the Vías Verdes, covering old disused railway lines across the country, there’s something for everyone.

Ruta del Cares, Picos de Europa

One of the most popular and most beautiful routes in the Picos de Europa National Park, the Ruta del Cares runs for approximately 12 kilometers, from Poncebos in Asturias to Caín in León. Known as ‘The Divine Gorge’, the trail is carved out of the side of the rocks and traverses bridges and streams.

David Brodosi

Ruta del Cares©GabrielGonzález https://www.flickr.com/photos/gaby1/27417146834

Peñalara

One of the best places for hiking near the capital of Madrid, the Peñalaralies in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near to the province of Guadalajara. The hike takes around 3 1/2 hours for a roundtrip, and the route takes you through the Parque Natural de Peñalara, where you can spot many different types of reptiles.

Camino de Santiago

The most famous Spanish walking route is of Course the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of St. James. A series of ancient pilgrim routes, the trail starts in few different places along the French border and ends up at Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. One of the oldest routes starts at the town of Ovideo in Asturias, but the most popular trail starts at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, just across into France. There is also another path, the Cami Catala, which starts at Montserrat monastery, or in Barcelona, and joins up with the Camino de Santiago to finish up at the in the same place.

Cumbre Vieja, La Palma

The Cumbre Vieja is a volcanic ridge located on the island of La Palma, part of the Canary Islands. Running from north to south, it is approximately 150 kilometers and would take around eight to ten days to complete. If you don’t want to walk the whole thing however, you could opt between two shorter walks – the Ruta de la Cresteria, around the rim of the Caldeira de Taburiente – a collapsed volcano, or the Route of the Volcanoes in the south of island, snaking its way around ancient craters and Martian-like volcanic landscapes.

Caminito del Rey, Malaga

Once named one of the most dangerous hikes in the world, because of its missing sections of pathway and sheer cliffside drops, the Caminito del Rey is located in the region of Malaga. The route was closed for many years due to safety issues, however extensive renovations took place and it reopened again at the start of 2015. Today, the path has been repaired, handrails have been added, as well as bridges and stairs, to create a spectacular, but safe experience. The trail is approximately 7.7 kilometers long and takes around four hours to complete.

David Brodosi

Spain provides some of the best hiking trails in the world with its varied landscapes, mountain ranges and well-maintained trails.

Whether you are a highly skilled hiker or just looking for a new experience, there is definitely a beautiful trail to be experienced in Spain.

For the best hikes in Europe, including France, Germany, Swiss Alps and Italy see our detailed article.

Here is a list of the best hiking trails in Spain.

David Brodosi

5 Epic Hiking Trails In Spain

Camino de Santiago Trail

Camino de Santiago is arguably the most famous Spanish walking route, it is about 500 miles long. It is a series of ancient pilgrim routes that have been in use for a thousand years or more.

It starts in a few different places along the French border and all the routes end at Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The most popular trail starts at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

The trails are flat and easy with many of the tracks being paved and well-maintained. The main routes require very little technical walking so you do not need a lot of hiking experience.

David Brodosi

The routes are also well-marked, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

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David Brodosi

Barcelona on a Backpacking Budget

Barcelona, The City of Gaudi. Deeply steeped in history, seemingly every nook and cranny of this city has a story to tell. Barcelona is busy, beautiful and expensive. And yet, you can still visit Barcelona on a backpacking budget.

From its Gothic Quarter to the sparkling structures of the modern waterfront, from the works of the genius architect Antoni Guadi to the boisterous atmosphere of Las Ramblas, Barcelona offers days, weeks, and months of adventure and exploration. We have never visited a city quite like it, and Barcelona ranks among out favorite European cities.

Not everything is all sunshine and roses, however. Barcelona is suffering from being TOO popular, and that has led to soaring prices, congested tourist areas, and some ill will from locals to visitors (read more about Barcelona’s problems with tourism here).

So, to get the most out of your backpacking budget, we recommend that you visit Barcelona during its off-peak season. We recommend April through early May, or the middle of September till the end of October. The weather should be good during these months, and the crowds greatly reduced. Visiting during these time periods, or even in the unattractive (weather wise) winter months will greatly reduce your costs, and allow you to experience Barcelona on a backpacking budget.

David Brodosi

Conversely, if you decide to go to Barcelona in the summer be prepared to pay premium prices on just about everything related to tourism. Your costs will spike in the summer as opposed to off season, and you’ll have a hard time visiting Barcelona on a budget.

Either way, off-season or peak season, make sure you get out of the city itself for a few days to explore the beauty of Catalonia. Here are a few great day trips from Barcelona that everyone visiting should really consider taking. Not only will these trips allow you to explore some of the incredible country-side, but by taking one or a few of them you will be helping to alleviate some of the tourist congestion in BCN.

Also, be sure to check out our article on the Top Ten Things to Do on a Budget in Barcelona, Spain.

David Brodosi

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[cubaazblog-blog]

Everything You Need To Know About Cuba Vacations

Cuba is a unique country and therefore a holiday destination like no other. The political position for the last fifty years has made the island among the few areas in the world without mass marketing and mass media. It's a place which could confuse and delight in equal measure and well worth a trip before things change. Cuba holidays are easy to plan using the net since there is now tons of information about facilities on the island.

There are two approaches to visit Cuba; either by remaining at one of numerous all-inclusive resorts or as an independent traveler. The resorts are usually clustered along the north coast of this island to the east of Havana. There is some top class accommodation available and some great deals.

The shores are so phenomenal and the water is crystal clear so that they are great for a beach style holiday. Despite the fact that Cuba is a communist country you won't need for anything. However the hotels do not offer you much opportunity to really get acquainted with the island and its unique lifestyle.

Travelling independently to Cuba is fairly easy and extremely intriguing. There are some lovely hotels with great amenities or you can really get to satisfy the locals by remaining in a family house known as a casa particular.

What started out as a covert practice of residents renting rooms to people is becoming governed by the state so it is perfectly safe to use those houses. They change is style and comfort from basic to really beautiful as most Cuban houses are full of antique furniture. Food is available at country run restaurants or you can often make arrangements with the individuals you're staying with. There are also licensed private restaurants called paladares where you can get foods of a high quality.

The island of Cuba is amazingly varied and the holiday possibilities are many. You will find great cities, small cities each with another personality, national parks, magnificent Caribbean beaches and world class dive websites. There are a few exceptional ecosystems and wildlife species like the smallest bird in the world, the Bee Hummingbird.

The funds Havana is unlike any other capital in the entire world. Prepare to be astounded by the structure, culture and the individuals. There is a lot to see in the city and some of the highlights include the Cigar Factory, the Museum of the Revolution, the Malecon and the older part of the city, Havana Vieja. Cuban music is valued all over the world and you will hear it everywhere. A night out in the funding necessarily comprises rum, dancing, live music along with some new Cuban friends.

Santiago is the second city situated at the opposite end of the island in the capital and quite different from Havana. The culture is more African and this is the house of the Cuban carnival. It's packed outside for carnival week so in the event that you want to go be sure you have bookings in a lot of time.

Transport can be annoyingly slow in Cuba, however it's the slow pace of life which many visitors fall in love with. Drivers can hire cars to get around more easily. There are a number of businesses in Havana and Santiago that provide cars of a very good standard. You could even hire one of those old American classics.

Cuba Vacations are full of beaches, sun, friendly people and fascinating experience you won't get anywhere else. Check out the details on the internet to learn what you want to do in Cuba.

THE BEACHES

travel to b cuba b

Certainly the most important reason tourists adore Cuba are for the beaches that rank among the very best on earth. White powdery sand and warm turquoise waters bring guests from all over year after year. In case you're looking for an All Inclusive vacation set on a world-class shore, then consider Varadero, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Guillermo, and Holguin. These destinations on the north side of this island are best for letting the warm Caribbean sun melt away your stress as you relax with a Mojito or two.

THE NATURE LOVER

Cuba offers a Selection of Destinations for Eco-tourists and nature fans alike. Though mostly known for its beaches and top hotels, keep in mind it is a tropical island with much of the interior covered in rainforest and jungle. As a ideal setting for hiking, bird watching, horseback riding and also for the more adventuresome - zip lining and rock climbing, there's plenty of scenery and fauna and flora to remain absorbed in your senses. The best location in Cuba to get back to nature and find is a remain in Santiago de Cuba in the South East of the island. Lots of excursions are offered in the region to the mountainous and jungle regions aimed towards Eco-tourism and adventure travel.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

From the times of the pirates through to the revolution led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara and the ongoing differences with the United States, Cuba has a rich history that nonetheless provides people with a fascinating portrayal of this nation to this day. Seeing Santiago de Cuba in the south, one can find out about the invasion about the Moncada Barracks which began the revolution and take a trip to the Sierra Madres to research Fidel along with the Rebel's old hideout.

The City of Trinidad takes you straight back to the colonial days with remarkable design and that authentic Cuban sense. Time spent at the capital of Havana is a cross-section of this culture and history of Cuba with forts constructed to repel the pirates museums showcasing the revolution and where the sounds of Cuba come alive in neighborhood pubs and restaurants. Anywhere you go in Cuba has different references to the extraordinary history and culture of this island either through architecture, museums or just music and dance. The best locations to discover the culture and history of Cuba are Trinidad, Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.

SPORTS

If you are a bit more active, Cuba offers an array of sports and activities. With its natural coral and clear waters, Cuba is an exceptional place for snorkeling and Scuba for both beginners and advanced divers. Many hotels offer you the conventional watersports (kayaking, parasailing, waterskiing, and jet ski) as well as trips to outer areas for diving. Though maybe not the first destination that comes to mind for golfing, there are two classes and much more slated to open shortly. As previously mentioned; trekking, ziplining and rock climbing can be found across the island.

HONEYMOONS AND ROMANCE

Best hotel chains such as Sandals and Sol Melia offer adults only resorts that cater to couples with extensive spa facilities, stylish restaurants, relaxed amusement and luxury rooms at Varadero. For a more tranquil experience, a stay at one of the Cayos of Cuba such as Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria or Cayo Guillermo offer silent, serene regions to spend holidays and nights in your shore, or enjoy late night ocean-side candlelit dinners under the stars.

FAMILIES

The hotels and resorts in Cuba have made great strides in getting more family friendly. Many chains such as Iberostar and Barcelo possess "Kids Stay and Eat Free" programs and give an extensive variety of activities geared specifically to children with day supervised clubs. Off the resort, there are excursions which are always popular such as swimming with dolphins and discovering other unique wildlife from the many organic parks and reserves throughout the island. The very best place to take the children in Cuba is Varadero as it's the destination which has the most built up tourist infrastructure.

Cuba is a fascinating destination that has something for everybody. You can do as little or as much as you'd like and feel relaxed and rewarded. Couples, families, beach lovers and culture lovers play in this natural playground by the tens of thousands. Discover for yourself why they don't take just any vacation, they require a Cuba holiday!

As the biggest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is much more than a destination for lazing away on the perfect beaches. Such a land mass boasts terrain, wildlife, culture and an ecosystem that's unmatched by any other Caribbean destination. While Nearly All visits to Cuba have long endless days on miles of white sandy shores, there is opportunity To get more out of Cuba Vacations. Irrespective of your interests or degree of adventure, Cuba really has something for everyone.

1. Diving and Snorkeling in Cuba is very underrated. The plentiful marine wildlife and coral reefs are put in a number of the very best diving conditions to be found everywhere. Perfect water temperature and requirements along with amazing caves, walls and wrecks have experienced the great and late Jacques Cousteau calling Cuba one of the best dive locations in the world.

2. Hiking in Cuba through untouched rainforests, jungle regions and the largest wetland in the Caribbean along among 100 nature paths not only provides fantastic scenery but also a opportunity to discover hidden waterfalls, hot springs and part of their pure beauty of Cuba which can only be achieved by foot. Suffering through the Sierra Maestra Mountains near Santiago de Cuba you can come across the hideout of Fidel, Che and the rebels throughout the revolution.

3. Birding and Wildlife watching in Cuba is a hit among nature lovers. 6 UNESCO biospheres covering 22 percent of the island are a refuge to a number of the very exotic and endangered species of birds and reptiles. Several tours are available across the island as preservation is taken seriously in Cuba along with the Natural Parks are a source of national pride.

4. Architecture across the island is varied yet places such as Trinidad, Havana and Camaguey possess some of the best examples of Spanish Colonial architecture that serve up a glance not only Cuba's history however a looks at how things were back in the days of pirates and Spanish guideline within the Caribbean.

5. Adventure and adrenaline junkies can spend days off from the hotels by taking in zip-lining over jungle canopy, mountain and rock climbing, caving through broad mazes of stalactites or carrying a jeep safari through the rainforests. Excursions by horseback up the Sierra Maestra mountains is ideal for the laid back adventurer whilst paragliding off the summit will provide the rush to get a more extreme traveler.

6. Road Tripping round the countryside is an excellent way to observe the property and meet the natives. Cubans often hitch rides as way of public transport and will quickly become a manual eager to show off their country. While not for everyone, this is an excellent method to get insight to the Cuban culture and hang out with a brand new buddy all for the cost of a trip to another city.

7. Golfing in Cuba is the most recent venture in ways of bringing yet another clientele to the country. While still in its infancy, Varadero has the ideal location and spectacle for the 18 hole course that succeeds even the more advanced golfer. With more courses slated to start in the next few decades, Cuba could easily match areas such as the Dominican Republic for its wonder and challenge of hitting the hyperlinks in the Caribbean.

8. Deep Sea Fishing around the island can also be underrated as the abundance of fish can all but ensure a successful day on the water. Tuna, Swordfish, Sailfish, Barracuda and Grouper are Merely Some of the most Well-known fighters you'll land alone the North West Coast in the areas of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.

9. Carnivals and Festivals in Cuba are more than only a street festival; they are an all out party of music, dance, food and beverage. From Jazz festivals in Havana to Moncada parties in Santiago de Cuba, booking your Cuba Vacations during these festivals can get you off the shore and in the streets for an all out celebration you won't forget.

10. Historical Tours are one of the most well-known types of trips in Cuba mainly on account of the nation's incredible history from Spanish rule, to pirates and invaders, into the revolution. Che Guevara's iconic picture is everywhere in Cuba and you are hard pressed to prevent in any city without finding a museum or landmark dedicated to the revolution. Castles and Forts along the coast and in cities such as Havana and Camaguey remind of all those days when pirates always attempted to plunder the wealth from what was one of the richest nations in the Americas.

[adambstingus]

Xilitla, Mexico: where Day of the Dead meets carnival

Forget what youve seen in James Bond films, the best town for this November festival is Xilitla, amid the hills and waterfalls of the eastern Sierra Gorda

‘Where exactly are you taking us?” my friend asked. Stars sparkled over black mountains as we drove along steep, dark roads into the lush Sierra Gorda of eastern Mexico. High in these hills lie the ancestral lands of the Huastec people, with villages, coffee farms, rugged slopes and powerful waterfalls. Centuries-old traditions flourish here, and we had come to experience one in particular.

In the colonial town of Xilitla, in San Luís Potosí state, where clouds swaddle mountain tops and citrus trees abound, each October the locals prepare the town’s whitewashed square for Xantolo (pronounced shantolow), the local version of Day of the Dead.

xilitla map

Xantolo has all the aspects of classic Mexican Día de Muertos celebrations: marigolds, sugar skulls, elaborate altars and skeleton decorations. But, while Day of the Dead is mainly celebrated within families on 1 and 2 November, with visits to cemeteries to clean graves and leave gifts of food and flowers, Xantolo is a rowdy, days-long party in the town square. It’s Day of the Dead with a carnival atmosphere, typically running from 29 October until 2 November throughout the Huasteca region.

Xilitla is in the foothills of the Sierra Gorda. Photograph: Alamy

Extensive public celebrations in places well-known for Day of the Dead celebrations, such as Pátzcuaro and Oaxaca, are organised primarily to entertain tourists. (Don’t let James Bond fool you: there was never a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City before 2015’s Spectre film, though the city decided to organize one afterwards.) But at Xantolo, the partying is done by and for the locals.

As we arrived in Xilitla this time last year, we fell into a parade of revellers in wooden masks, depicting elderly people, skulls, animals and demons. We felt underdressed, but there were papier-mâché masks for sale, so we bought a couple and put them on while drinking cans of Sol beer as we watched the spectacle.

A man dressed up as a scantily clad woman cut through the crowd on a dirt bike, popping a wheelie to the delight of dancing children as a truck passed by, full of people dressed as skeletons twerking in the back. The parade led young and old to the town centre where a three-piece band (a violin and two guitar-like instruments, the bassy haupanguera and the higher-pitched jaran) played traditional Huasteca music. The town’s mayor greeted the crowd of more than 1,000: mostly people from surrounding villages and other parts of Mexico. We were invited to join the parade into the town’s cemetery, where bottles of tequila were passed around and no one seemed to mind one bit that we were strangers.

A giant skeleton figure in the town centre. Photograph: Megan Frye ​

The following night, 1 November, was notably more solemn. It was dedicated to the procession of women dressed as Catrina: Mexico’s elegant female skeleton character. We joined a parade at least 100 strong, all in long gowns, flower headdresses and skeletal face paint (we brought ours from Mexico City), each holding a single candle. We moved at a slow pace through the cobbled streets, in silent homage to the dead. The following day is more aligned to the traditional pastime: families gathering in their homes to share stories about deceased loved ones.

Xilitla is one of the largest towns hereabout, but sees mostly Mexican tourists, with just the occasional foreigner. Its hotels and guesthouses include the impeccably clean, colonial Posada el Paraíso (doubles from £19 room-only) with a terrace for catching the sunset or sunrise over the jungle, and about 90 Airbnb options (from £15 a night). Bars and restaurants line the town square; the best is the 18th-century Casa Vieja, serving wine, tequila and gourmet Mexican food (the cecina – cured beef – tacos were phenomenal) with live latin jazz.

Hands of a Giant sculpture at Las Pozas. Photograph: Alamy

Xilitla is known for its coffee farms, its perpetual fog, its verdant hills, and a surrealist garden built by an eccentric Englishman, Edward James. His spirit lives on within the Las Pozas estate, where his strange structures coexist with the jungle. Open all year, it’s well worth a few hours of exploration. The nine pools (pozas) that give the property its name offer the chance for a dip and relief from the sticky heat.

Just steps away from here, and minutes from downtown Xilitla, bohemian Casa Caracol has three-person cabins (£35 a night), private rooms (£28), and beds in dorms and large tipis (£7pp).

Kayaking at the Tamul waterfall. Photograph: Alamy

The region abounds with waterfalls, including the 105-metre Tamul, about two hours’ drive from Xilitla. A small adventure outfit is based there, and booking isn’t necessary except in high summer. We showed up and took a three-hour round trip by kayak, with a stop at a cave that allows in just enough sunlight to quell doubts in swimmers’ minds about anything lurking under the water.

On the way back we stopped at Paco’s Seafood restaurant, along Highway 85, and enjoyed fresh-caught seafood from the nearby Veracruz coast (the grilled huachinango – snapper – was delicious) by the slow-flowing Tanquilín river. We washed the afternoon away with a couple of micheladas, crisp Mexican lager served with spicy tomato juice and lime, in a salt-rimmed mug.

Swift exit: thousands of birds fly out of the Sótano de las Golondrinas. Photograph: Stephen Alvarez/Getty Images/National Geographic RF

Another popular excursion is the Sótano de las Golondrinas, or Basement of the Swallows, near the Querétaro border, which involves neither a basement nor swallows. About an hour and a half from Xilitla, it’s the largest known cave shaft in the world, 512 metres deep. It’s a popular destination for vertical cavers and base jumpers, but the main attraction is the swirling exodus of thousands of swifts and green parakeets at dawn each day, and their return at dusk. Witnessing the spectacle requires a 45-minute hike on well-marked trails through the jungle – remember to bring a torch.

There’s so much to do that’s fun and thrilling here, it’s easy to spend more than a few days in La Huasteca. And if they coincide with Xantolo festivities, all the better.

• Xilitla is about five hours by car or bus from San Luis Potosí, and about seven hours by car and nine by bus from Mexico City. The nearest airport is Ciudad Valles, about a two-hour drive from Xilitla, with flights from Mexico City. Mundo Extreme based in Xilitla, organises kayaking, rappelling and other tours with English-speaking guides from £8pp

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/xilitla-mexico-where-day-of-the-dead-meets-carnival/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/182757878377

[immoservicespain]

Ref : 16724 - Villa For Sale in Altea

Newly built modern design luxury villa for sale with spectacular sea views in the Altea Hills urbanization on the Costa Blanca in Alicante. The house is built in 2018 on a plot of 800 m2 in the Altea Hills urbanization, 353 m2 built, the villa is distributed in 2 heights and is connected with interior staircase and elevator, has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living - dining room with fireplace, open kitchen fully equipped with Siemens appliances, infinity pool, garden, garage, underfloor heating heat pump, air conditioning hot / cold, aerotermia, storage room, irrigation system, automatic shutters, security windows. Altea Hills urbanization is located in Altea on the Costa Blanca of Alicante with the Mediterranean Sea opposite and the Sierra Bernia behind it, in what can be considered a privileged environment to the most authentic Mediterranean style. With enviable views of the bay of Altea and protected by the Sierra de Bernia, Altea Hills can be one of the most exclusive urbanizations of the entire Mediterranean arc, where the resident can fully enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle at its highest conception, sheltered for the goodness of the climate of the area and for the level of excellence in the care of its facilities. The urbanization has at the entrance of a security booth with guards 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A closed circuit TV that monitors the entire area and several patrol cars ensure the entire perimeter of the urbanization. It also has a license plate control system for all vehicles entering and leaving the complex. In Altea Hills the visitor can enjoy their privacy and tranquility with total security. The strategic location of Altea Hills, between the sea and the mountain, makes this residential environment a unique place. Very close to the urbanization are the Don Cayo Golf Club and the prestigious Greenwich Marina Nautical Club, one of the best on the Mediterranean coast. Apart from this, Altea Hills has among its facilities the luxurious Altea Hills Hotel, an excellent Tennis Club and an exclusive Health and Beauty Spa Center, where famous artists and sportsmen of world class come to rest. Altea Hills also has two restaurants, a cafeteria, three bars, an Irish pub, three outdoor swimming pools, in addition to those of each urbanization, heated indoor pool and two children's play areas. Altea Hills enjoys a special microclimate, with mild winters and mild summers, which invites you to enjoy a healthy life outdoors in any season of the year and to practice any kind of activity and sport, such as dinghy sailing, windsurfing, cruising, swimming, golf, tennis, hiking, scuba diving, fishing, etc. Altea is located 50km from Alicante, 10km from Benidorm and 130km from Valencia, in the province of Alicante, Costa Blanca. To the north it borders on Benidorm and to the south with Calpe. Its municipal term limits with municipalities like Alfaz del Pi, Benissa, Calpe, Callosa de Ensarriá, Jalón and La Nucia. Located in the bay that close Punta del Albir and Morro de Toix. In its municipal area there is a hamlet of the municipality called Altea la Vieja, in Valencian, Altea la Vella, at the foot of the Sierra de Bernia. Altea holds the title of "Cultural Capital" of the Valencian Community, endorsed by the numerous Art Galleries, Foundations of Prestigious Painters, "Casal Fester" that houses the 25-year history of Moors and Christians, Faculty of Fine Arts of the University Miguel Hernández and the Palau Altea. The Church Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, La Torre de la Galera, declared of Cultural Interest, The Bellaguarda Tower, The Church of Our Lady of Consuelo where we can see the domes of the Mediterranean, the image and emblem of Altea, the old part very well preserved with its white houses, cobbled streets and viewpoints, the Palau de Altea and the promenade, will provide you with images that will remain forever in your memory. Along its 8 kilometers of coast Altea offers a wonderful diversification of beaches, coves and cliffs and the impressive Morro de Toix that closes the bay in the north. A wide inlet in which small coves and beaches follow each other until reaching the breakwater of the port that puts its limit with L'Alfas del Pi, whose beach closes the inlet at the foot of Punta Bombarda and the lighthouse of Altea. Along with a wide nautical offer, Altea has a golf club, located in the Sierra de Bernia. Among its wide range of beaches and coves we highlight, L'Olla, Solsida, Cap Negret, Albir, Cala del Mascarat, La Roda and of course the Nautical Club of Altea. Beaches of Altea Read the full article

[markpauldaphotography]

EL PASO 120 : EDGE OF THE SOUTHWEST

“The images of El Paso and 120 miles around conjure so vividly something of the character of the wonderful Southwest. Under a sky that seems limitless, the roads invite one to travel, to explore, to become a pioneer. When I see these great unending routes, piercing the vastness of the territory, they trigger in me the beginnings of an understanding of the importance to the American people of the concepts of freedom and opportunity.” Daragh McDonald London, England UK All too often the El Paso area is an afterthought in any publication chronicaling West Texas or the Southwest. When I view photography books illustrating this vast area or read magazine articles, the message I receive is always the same: "Oh, by the way, there is a dusty place in far West Texas called El Paso; it is stuck in the middle of nowhere." This corner of Texas is a footnote, if you will. No doubt this area is overlooked due to El Paso's distances from other civilisation. I say this lightly, though there is some truth to the thought. After all, El Paso seems to be a never-ending drive from other cities: twelve hours from Dallas, nine hours from San Antonio, four hours from Albuquerque, five hours from MIdland-Odessa, and seven hours from Phoenix. So yes, I do undertand why this area is considered the "edge" and off the radar for most.

It seems perfectly natural, if one mainly travels along Insterstate 10 through West Texas and southern New Mexico, for a traveler not to give El Paso much thought. As one looks out the window of a moving car, the easy conclusion would be that there is not much more to see than a plethora of tumbleweeds, desert brush, a few mountains, and a sea of wide-open space. Quite frankly, the roads one usually navigates move directly through the least interesting parts of the landscape. Admittedly, the shape of this book didn't immediately occur to me. I, too, based my judement of the area on Insterstate 10, not really piecing all the bits together, despite the fact that I am based in El Paso. The adventurer in me would visit the areas covered in this book independently; each a day trip and roughly a two-hour drive, or 120 miles, from El Paso. White Sands National Park in Southern New Mexico and the Guadalupe Mountains - Salt Flat area are two of my favourite destinations, though the landscape found in Lincoln National Forest at Cloudcroft has always offered an interesting contrast to the desert plains - and the cooler climate from the heat of the Chihuahua Desert.

My visits to Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site directly east of El Paso have been sporadic, although I enjoy my amatuerish attemps at rock climbing, and City of Rocks, between Deming and Silver City, New Mexico, allows my imagination to run wild thinking I am visiting the Flinstones' Bedrock. Van Horn? Indeed, the Van Horn area - the "Gateway to Big Ben Country" - offers some of the most rugged and inspiring landscape in far West Texas. Seeing the sunrise over the Sierra Vieja mountains at the Coal Mine Ranch will be forever etched in my memory, and the largest collection of Precambrian rock formations in the wold at the Red Rock Ranch is a delight.

Most notable for me, however, is El Paso, as this is home. The Franklin Mountain range runs directly through the city and is the largest urban state park in the United States. For me, the Franklins are old friends that I miss when I travel around the world. In fact, this range is literally just outside my back door, and my friend Eric and I hike its slopes almost weekly. Each of the aforementioned destinations is "just around the corner" in local terms, since driving times to other areas are four hours or more. While each of the areas photographed for this book have captivated me, I find the roads to and from equally fascinating. I believe the wide-open spaces that unfurl along these long, unobstructed roads epitomize the spirit of freedom many of us in the West feel. Whilte I travel quite often throughout the world, each time behind the lens of my camera, I can safely say the landscapes of West Texas and Southern New Mexico touch my soul more deeply than any other place. A spirit of freedom that is second to none wells up in me when I stand upon a high desert ridge; the sky above me opens up its cobalt tent, and the land below it stretches toward a horizon that seems to recede into infinity. Not only do deep fresh breaths fill me, but I can actually hear my breathing because the sounds of the cosmopolitan world are nowhere nearby. The weight of the world swiftly lifts off my shoulders - I begin to connect with that which is around me, begin to move back toward my own centre. In a way, this great landscape offers me the freedom to feel whole again. No competeing demands tug at me from different directions. This is silence. Time is once again my friend.

The roads pictured in this book were avenues I traveled for the most part, but it was in the air where El Paso 120 came together. As I flew around the area in a twin-engine plane with Suzie Azar, my pilot the the former mayor of El Paso, I realised El Paso is not at the edge but right in the middle of an amazing landscape. And it is a landscape that is quite significant to the rest of the world, as you will discover as you flip through the book. One might think I deliberately used a mathematical compass on a map to draw out what would be included in this book, but this is not the case. Flying above it, as a bird would, allowed me the opportunity to pull together what I had already explored on the ground. Surveying the land from atop El Paso's Franklin Mountains, I can glimpse each of the areas portrayed in El Paso 120. A number of these destinations, all within striking distance of the city, are significant icons in the natural world. Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas, at 8749 feet. El Capitan, a massive limestone formation is the Guadalupe Mountains most recognisable feature.

The remarkable City of Rocks is a fantasyland of wind- and water-sculptued volcanic rock. Only six other places in the world have anything like them.

Near Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico, a lava tube (cave) at Aden Crater yielded up the skeleton of one of the last giant ground sloths in North America. The nine-foot-long skeleton, with much of its skin and hair still preserved, is now at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. At White Sands there is the world's largest gypsum dune field, where great waves of gypsum lap nearly three hundred square miles of desert. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of it.

Then there were Hueco Tanks, known in the nineteenth century as the last source of water between the Pecos River and El Paso. The site is now one of the most popular destinations in the world for rock climbers. Not only have I had the luxury of discovering the El Paso area, but each trek has helped me find my balance. I can think clear thoughts. Any and all stress goes away. I have traveled these roads from El Paso countless times to escape the pressure of cosmopolitan life. I get lost behind my camera. My mind wanders with each trek, wondering what the area was like underwater millions of years ago, or what the Spanish explorers thought when they came upon this terrain, making their way northward. Can you imagine what they must have though when out of the brown desert arose the larges white gypsum sand dunes in the world? The idea of this fascinates me and in turn inspires me to venture further. As you view my photographic exporation, I hope you, too, discover that El Paso is not at the edge but instead at the very centre of some remarkably amazing landscapes. One may think 120 miles is a long way to get anywhere. But within these wide-open spaces, it's only just down the road and around the corner. With good fortune during my next journey, I shall find you discovering firsthand El Paso and the wonders radiating 120 miles in all directions from the city. Make sure you say "Hello," when we cross paths. Read the full article

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Cuba Best Places Top 10

Havana

Lastbut not least, is that the city of Havana. As the funding of Cuba and the major shipping hub, the majority of visitors will spend some time researching Havana. This classy, retro and cosmopolitan city is known for its spectacular nightlife, but days offer as much enthusiasm. Start in La Habana Vieja, and also perhaps even the Old Town, where crumbling colonial buildings and vibrant midcentury structures stand alongside. Don’t leave Havana without watching cigars being wrapped by hand in a small factory, or tasting a few local rum fresh from the distillery. Mingle with the locals along Malecón, the sea wall directly along the shore that offers sea views and a good deal of fun.

Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is a city in Cuba that is unlike others on the staircase. Since it was set by the French, rather than the Spanish, it’s a special atmosphere. The city is called La Perla del Sur, and also the Pearl of the South. For anyone that appreciate mid-century modern structure, the peninsula of Punta Gorda is a must see. There continue to be many 1950s homes, many which are carefully maintained. The middle of Cienfuegos is Pueblo Nuevo, at which you can explore the real history ministry, dine in an outside cafe or choose a Spanish or French language lesson.

Santiago de Cuba

Located in southern Cuba, Santiago de Cuba is just a coastal city famous for its historic history. Santiago de Cuba was set in the 16th century by the Spanish, and it’s called the 2nd City of Cuba. The core of the metropolis could be your Parque Cespedes, a central plaza that’s surrounded by quite a few historic Spanish archaeological structures. In more modern report, the plaza was Fidel Castro famously announced the revolution a victory in 1959. You might even research the Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, also a 17th century fortress overlooking the bay.

Vinales 

While Cuba has many national parks, none is so amazing and reachable since the one located in the Viñales Valley. Viñales is popularly referred to as a magnificent destination, and history tells it had been Castro’s favourite place in the island. The valley is surrounded by mountains, tobacco still develops to produce legendary Cuban cigars and innumerable islands add an excess ounce of adventure for its intrepid traveler. One of the most popular temples is that the Cuevas del IndioIndian or Indian Caves, where it is possible to actually take a boat ride entirely inside the cavern system.

Baracoa

While Havana may be the current capital of Cuba, it was not necessarily the center of Cuban politics. Baracoa is occasionally referred to as the First City, which was the very first capital of this island. Baracoa was set up in early 16th century by famous explorer Diego Velazquez, and it preserves much of its historic architecture. The Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion is only one of these worth checking out. Baracoa is also a excellent base for seeing El Yunque, a hill over looking the city where visitors may hike and explore the green, lush rainforest environment just half an hour from the beach.

Santa Clara

This industrial university community will for ever be correlated with Ernesto’Che’ Guevara. It was here, four hours east of Havana, which at late December 1958 the radical protagonist directed out his troops of their Sierra Escambray and seized the town, inducing dictator Fulgencio Batista to flee. Even though it also features a lovely historical quarter, the majority of the websites of interest within this town relate solely with events that are revolutionary.The must-not-miss website in Santa Clara has been Complejo Monumental Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara, a Huge monument of Che dominating the Plaza de la Revolución. Beneath, research the museum and mausoleum at which Che’s remains are interred. You will find a few really cool places merely a fast drive from Santa Clara, for instance, Hawaiian town of Remedios (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Cayos de Villa Clara, with a number of the greatest beaches and hotel hotels in Cuba.

Varadero

Just a short drive from Havana is Varadero, a popular beach resort town found on Hicacos Peninsula. Many miles of coastline let you enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the white sandy beaches and blue warm waters really are stunning to behold. While the gorgeous beach is the reason why Varadero is among the best places to visit in Cuba, there is plenty more to do. Parque Josone is a gorgeous park filled with botanical gardens, lakes, wildlife and bridges, not to mention music, vendors and even camel rides for kids. Also worth exploring are the Bellamar Caves, an extensive cavern system that been available to visitors for more than 150 years.

Trinidad 

For those with a love of architecture or history, Trinidad can be just a superb place to visit in Cuba. Next door to the plaza is a Hawaiian convent that currently houses the Museum of the War Against the Bandits, and also even the Lucha Contra Bandidos. After investigating the museum, walk up hill far from the Plaza Mayor to go shopping for handicraft souvenirs. Popular items for sale comprise hand-sewn table cloths and napkin linens. One of these breathtaking structures in Trinidad is that the Palacio Brunet Mansion, which currently functions as the Museo Romantico. See to admire a fantastic collection of 19th century artworks and antiques.

Guama

Guama is just a really distinctive destination at which enchanting thatched roof huts take a seat on the border of several miniature islands at Laguna del Tesero (Treasure Lake). The Villa Guama hotel was constructed to resemble a Taino village, boasting a lush and green setting with different palm trees and impeccably kept grounds. From the surface that the area appears very pastoral, however, the huts’ insides are attractively designed, filled with ac. The region may only be retrieved by ship, also will not possess a thorough collection of attractions. The most important appeal of Guama could be that your crocodile farm, even at which more than 100,000 aquatic reptiles, for example sixteen jeopardized species, live.

Manzanillo

Manzanillo is located in the majestic Sierra Maestra Mountains in the southern region of Cuba. It’s where the revolution in Cuba has been established and where Fidel Castro and his rebels landed in 1956 after leaving exile in Mexico. To day, it keeps its revolutionary spirit and contains a wealth of historical monuments, monuments, and squares showcasing the fight for Cuban liberty. Manzanillo isn’t merely a historian’s dream locale, additionally, it has stunning beaches and plenty of attractions, such as the Criadero de Cocodrilos, certainly one of Cuba’s crocodile farms.

Cuba Best Places Top 10

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10 Places to Hike in Spain

If you’re searching for a prime alternative for a hiking and trekking vacation, you can’t do higher than European nation, with its varied landscapes, several mountain ranges, coastal routes, and marked trails. From the far-famed Camino First State Santiago to the Picos First State Europa parkland and therefore the Vías Verdes, covering previous obsolete railway lines across the country, there’s one thing for everybody.

Ruta del Cares, Picos First State Europa

One of the foremost common and most stunning routes within the Picos First State Europa parkland, the rosid dicot genus del Cares runs for about twelve kilometers, from Poncebos in Asturias to Caín in León. called ‘The Divine Gorge’, the path is sliced out of the facet of the rocks and traverses bridges and streams.

Peñalara

One of the simplest places for hiking close to the capital of Spanish capital, the Peñalara lies within the Sierra First State Guadarrama, close to the province of city. The hike takes around three 1/2 hours for a roundtrip, and therefore the route takes you thru the Parque Natural First State Peñalara, wherever you'll spot many various varieties of reptiles.

Camino First State Santiago

The most far-famed Spanish walking route is, of Course, the Camino First State Santiago, conjointly called The approach of St. James. A series of ancient pilgrim routes, the path starts in few totally different places on the French border and finally ends up at Cathedral of Santiago First State Compostela in geographical region. one in all the oldest routes starts at the city of metropolis in Asturias, however the foremost common path starts at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, simply across into France. there's conjointly another path, the Cami Catala, that starts at island cloister, or in metropolis, and joins up with the Camino First State Santiago to complete up at them within the same place.

Cumbre Vieja, La Palma

The Cumbre Vieja could be a volcanic ridge set on the island of los angeles Palma, a part of the Canaries. Running from north to south, it's just about a hundred and fifty kilometers and would take around eight to 10 days to finish. If you don’t need to run the entire factor, however, you may choose between 2 shorter walks – the rosid dicot genus First State la Cresteria, round the rim of the Caldeira First State Taburiente – a folded volcano, or the Route of the Volcanoes within the south of island, snaking its approach around ancient craters and Martian-like volcanic landscapes.

Caminito del Rey, Malaga

Once named one in all the foremost dangerous hikes within the world, due to its missing sections of a pathway and sheer cliffside drops, the Caminito del Rey is found within the region of metropolis. The route was closed for several years because of issues of safety, however, in depth renovations happened and it reopened once more at the beginning of 2015. Today, the trail has been repaired, handrails are additional, moreover as bridges and stairs, to make a spectacular, however safe expertise. The path is just about seven.7 kilometers long and takes around four hours to finish.

Pico Sobarcal, Pyrenees

Situated within the province of Huesca in northern Aragon, getting ready to the French border, the Pico Sobarcal stands at a pair of,259 meters. Hiking up are often a rewardful expertise, with awful views of the range within the distance and over to into France. the entire hike takes around seven hours. It’s a moderate climb, however gets terribly troublesome towards the height because of the rocky parcel of land, thus reaching the highest is absolutely just for advanced hikers and mountaineers.

GR92, Costa Brava

Running on the Catalan coast, the GR92 begins at Portbou, simply on the Spanish facet of the French border and runs all the thanks to Uldecona, just about two hundred kilometers south of metropolis. Divided into twenty totally different stages, you'll opt for that elements of the trail to run, from hikes lasting simply many hours to those lasting a handful of days. a number of the foremost spectacular elements of the route square measure right at the highest close to the Natural Park of Aiguamolls First State l’Empordà and more down into the Costa Brava – the sections between Begur and Palafrugell.

GR 92 Costa Brava | © Tabalot

Las Cañadas

Located on the island of island within the Canaries, Las Cañadas del Teide parkland is another nice hiking destination through volcanic landscapes. Home to Mount Teide, the best mountain in European nation at three,718 meters high, the park is home to many walking trails and mountainous peaks. Mount Teide itself may also be hiked, from wherever you'll see the 80-meter crater at the highest, though a free allow should be applied for prior to if you visit throughout summer, and you need to be amid a guide close to the height.

Caldera de las Cañadas | © Diego Delso

Vías Verdes

Not one explicit walk, however a group of trails running over seven,000 kilometers throughout the country, the Vías Verdes is virtually translated as ‘GreenWays.’ Hiking ways and sport routes that are born-again from previous obsolete railway lines, there square measure around seventy seven totally different Vías Verdes running from north to south, all throughout European nation. on the approach, hikers can realize previous railway stations that are born-again into services comparable to restaurants, hotels, museums, bike rental stores and data offices.

The Mulhacén, Sierra Nevada

The highest mountain on the Iberia, the Mulhacén is found within the Sierra American state chain of mountains close to the Moorish town of urban center and stands at three,479 meters. it's best climbed in summer and may be exhausted on a daily basis. There square measure many trails to achieve the height locomote in issue levels. the toughest thanks to reach the summit is via the northern face, that is absolutely just for mountaineers, and therefore the best and hottest is that the southern face, that from the Mirador First State Trevélez within the Alpujarras takes solely around 2 hours.

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Hotel Park View

Hotel Park View

The Hotel Park View, built in 1928, used to be one of the most exclusive in Havana. Featured by the American style of the time, its modernity and economic prices. It benefited from the periodical arrival of middle-class American tourists. Its bar, Cocktail Lounge, and the Roof Garden qualified among the friendliest of that epoch. With the arrival of the twenty-first century, the Ho- tel Park View reopens its doors, currently showing a renovated image. Good service and accessible prices distinguish the installation, adjacent to the Paseo del Prado, one of the capital’s main ave- nues. After hectic journeys, the visitor has available 55 rooms, designed for intimacy and quietness. The Prado restaurant, located at the seventh floor of the installation and decorated with photos of Havana, offers dishes from the Cuban and international cuisine as well as an amazing view of the sea and the El Morro and La Cabaña fortresses. The Park View location is highly privileged, as it is very near from the Museo Nacional de Be- llas Artes and the former Palacio Presidencial, nowadays the Museo de la Revolución.

Hotel Park View Gallery:

Hotel Park View Location:

Located in a privileged place of the city, next to Paseo del Prado which is one of the main arteries of the capital. Hotel Park View is located very close to the National Museum of Fine Arts and the former Presidential Palace, now the Museum of Revolution. Address: Calle Colón, esquina a Morro, La Habana Vieja Phone: (53)7861 3293 Fax: (53)7863 6036 E-mail: comercial@hotelparkview.habaguanex.cu

Hotel Park View Cuban tours:

City Tours Havana (no lunch) Hotel pick-up in air-conditioned bus according to schedule. Panoramic tour of city attractions, including the Historic District, declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, as well as modern Havana. Attractions: Presidential Palace, Central Park, Capitolio, Floridita bar-restaurant, La Bodeguita del Medio bar-restaurant, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Malecón, Havana University and Plaza de la Revolución. Stop for photos and videos. Visit to the viewpoint at the Great Historic Military Park Morro-Cabaña, outdoor area. Valle de Viñales Hotel pick-up in air-conditioned bus according to schedule. Brief stop at Las Barrigonas ranch, surrounded by typical peasant farmer houses and tobacco plantations. View of tobacco production during tour. Walk through the Valle de Viñales National Park, declared Protected Cultural Landscape by UNESCO and National Natural Monument. Highlights include the beauty of its mogote-mountains with rounded peaks and numerous interesting caves. Visit to the Mural of Prehistory, 120 meters of art on the wall of a mogote named Pita, with 12 works showing the evolution of men and animals in the Sierra de los Órganos. Visit to a viewpoint for jasmine plants in the Valle de Viñales. Creole lunch in a local restaurant accompanied by traditional local music. Transfer to the Indio Cave and boat ride along the underground river. Return to hotels in Havana. Frequency: Tuesday and Thursday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Minimum: 10 people) Net rates (USD per person) Tours Days available Adults Children Valle de Viñales Tuesday and Thursday 48 36 City Tours Havana (no lunch) Daily 16 12   TOUR MIRAMAR OLD HAVANA City Tours Havana 9:00/14:00 9:30/14:30 Valle de Viñales 8:00 7:30 Read the full article

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Minca

*Read the update before this* We left the Dreamers hostel almost as soon as we arrived back from Tayrona park. With just enough time to check our phones for emails or whatever else we were starved of over the vast one day we were away from wifi. The four of us 2 Canadians, an American, and a Dane were off in our collectivo which is a small van shuttle to Minca a small village in the mountains famous for its coffee for over a hundred years. When we reached Minca we were a little confused because John the American booked a hostel but the motorbike taxi drivers said the hostel was still forty five minutes away and the roads were very bumpy. We took this as just the drivers trying to gauge us for more money. When we reluctantly chose to continue onto our hostel we were fast to realize everything the drivers said were true. The roads were non existant with deep potholes and rocks scattered everywhere. About a quarter of the way up we ran into a traffic jam and found out a big truck carrying construction supplies was stuck in a pothole in the middle of the road. The locals tried to hammer away at the rock but then a large truck equipped with chain eventually got the truck free after 20 or so minutes. The adventure to the hostel wasnt over yet though. We continued on the bumpy road until we reached a fork in the road. We were lost. We took one way and it seemed to lead to an abandoned house. We turned around and then five wild horses came storming down the hill out of nowhere and thats when we discovered Niels the Dane had a fear of horses which was quite funny. Finally we reached Casa Viejas our hostel after a long trek of its own sorts. This hostel had to be one of the nicest hostels I have ever been to and it had just opened three months prior. Run by a French couple they bought the property of a hundred year old house and renovated it to become a hostel. The best part of the hostel was easily the view overlooking the Sierra Nevada. The journey to the hostel was easily worth it just for that view. The hostel was also a nice size not many people, no wifi, which meant there were no distractions, we had to communicate and talk to one another. Which is weird to write but even now im writing all this with people all around me. Staying there gave me some great ideas because opening a hostel somewhere seems so appealing and this French couple really did it. By no means is the renovations done it still needs work but I can forsee Casa Viejas doing extremely well in the future. We only stayed one night but I could have easily spent another. Our meeting time with our driver was at 3pm but by the grace of lady luck the oldest taxi driver in Minca died that day and there was a funeral where all other drivers were attending. By 6:15pm we finally caught our ride down the mountain to Santa Marta. Gotta love Colombian time. We all got back to Dreamers hostel. John left on a plane home, Jordan left for Medellin, Niels left for Cartagena, and now I am the last left in the hostel. Tomorrow I embark on a four day trek to the "Lost City". Only discovered in 1976 it is an old ancient site built over a thousand years ago and was used by the Trayonga tribe. The trek is around $400 but everyone ive talked to said it was worth it. So this will be my first big expense of the trip but I saved my money specifically to do this kind of stuff. Cut down on all the shit and spend money on good food and experiences. So you will not be hearing from me for the next four or five days. Also I am getting eaten alive out here by bugs and mosquitos. The one thing I forgot AfterBite would have been awesome to have right about now.