Our plans, decisions, and adventures
We already wrote about the two major attractions here: Panama Canal and Casco Viejo. So this post is a collection of the other things we've been checking out over the last several days. It will be our last on Panama City, as we leave in the morning. Mercado de Mariscos (seafood market) Known in English... Continue Reading →
We are staying in a neighborhood called El Congrejo in an all-suites hotel (Hotel Coral Suites). This was not the plan--our AirBnb for Panama City (loft apartment with rooftop pool and view of the ocean!) was cancelled on us about 9 days before our arrival here as it was sold. Surprise! A mad scramble found... Continue Reading →
We have just finished a week in Medellín, Colombia, but we wish we had much more time in this city, and in the rest of the country. We tried to pack as much as we could into every day--our usual vacation style vs. the slow-travel approach of the last three months. And since we haven't posted... Continue Reading →
Everyone told us that if we had time for one out-trip, it should be to Guatape. There are many different tour options, but we found fantastic, simple transit instructions (The Backpack Diary) and were able to take ourselves on this trip for a fraction of the cost. Guatape is a village high in the mountains, on... Continue Reading →
To learn more about Medellin, we signed up for a 4-hour Free Walking Tour (our first, but definitely not our last). We met up with Mari, of Real City Tours, and 19 other tourists, at the Poblado metro station, a 10-minute walk from our accommodation. We purchased a metro ticket ($2,150 COP/~70 cents USD) and... Continue Reading →
The transit system in Medellín is a source of pride in the city, and with good reason. It has received awards for its innovation and impact on the lives of those it serves. Medellín is a city of more than three million people, and many of those live in houses-built-upon-houses, high into the mountains. With... Continue Reading →
Another day of transit, leaving Ecuador after almost 3 months, for a short one-city visit to Colombia. Our travel day: Cab from Atacames to Esmeraldas, Ecuador--45 minutes (including a pullover by the police to check license, registration), $25. Flight on Tame from Esmeraldas to Quito, Ecuador--45 minutes. Flight on Viva Colombia from Quito to Bogotá, Colombia--100... Continue Reading →
Beach fun We solved our beach challenges (see Atacames: Tourist beach town) in two ways: We hopped a 10-minute, 30-cent bus to a Súa, a sleepy fishing village with a lovely, quiet bay that is protected from the waves and perfect for swimming. There is a malecón wall at the top of the beach, and... Continue Reading →
Atacames is a local-tourist beach town among several beach towns on the northern coast of Ecuador. Thanks to a tidal river, the main parts of town are divided with the beach and town sides of the river joined by bridges. We stayed on the beach (or playa) side at the Casa Chill Inn (aka Hostel Chill Inn,... Continue Reading →
We spent 2 1/2 weeks in San Alejo, a small fishing village between San Clemente and San Jacinto. Here are a few final notes about this area. Medical care A week ago I had a small matter I needed medical assistance with. I contacted our travel medical insurance as required and then asked our accommodation... Continue Reading →
Today we travelled up the coast of Ecuador approximately 293km on a trip that Google Maps says should take just under 5 hours. Here's how we did it (all prices are for two people): Taxi from San Alejo to San Vicente--30 minutes/35km, $20 Bus from San Vicente to Pedernales--2 hours/110km, $8 Moto taxi from where we... Continue Reading →
Just left: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Now: Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Up next: Vancouver area British Columbia, Canada
Life: Phase Next 