The rest of Colombia and Ecuador

Hmm what else to do in Cali, well they had a zoo... It was actually a really good zoo, the best in SA so I hear. They had amazing avary and butterfly enclosures


After Cali I headed to a place called Popayan which is a really nice city more towards the south of Colombia. From there I went to a place called San Agustin where there are lots of statues from thousands of years ago. The statues were interesting, mostly left on tombs for dead tribal leaders I believe. But after two days there I think I'd seen hundreds of them so wasn't so excited about them. Our guide was obsessed that all the statues were phallic also. He talked about it alot. I got to ride a horse again though which was fun. This one was called Rosario



Don't know what he was called

We were all sore by the end of the day on horses. I travelled with Hitoshi for the following week or so. Guy on the left

This place was interesting, they would place the tribal leaders and Shamen in seats within this rock sculpture type thing, then a human sacrifice would be... well sacrificed and the blood would flow through all the channels until some pools further down the rocks were red. Back when this was all going on it was an honour to be sacrificed as you got a queue jump to the next life. I wouldn't have signed up

Me on a rock


Scruffy street dog 1386... I liked this one. We fed him a bit as he needed it

Why put chickens feet in soup? Seemed a common error in southern Colombia and Ecuador


Ipiales I think. Now I normally don't go near churches but this one looked nice so I made an exception. The walls around here are covered with stories of miracles that happen to people in this magical place...


Ecuador, they use the american dollar. Not a good start. I hadn't actually planed on going to Ecuador but ended up having time. I went to a mountain town called Otavalo which is famous for a market they have and also for being populated highly by indigenous people. It was nice there and a studied a week of Spanish as wanted an excuse to stay somewhere for a bit. Nothing really to take pics of apart from my lunch one day, looks quite happy when he was sent off


Left Otavalo for a place called Baños where there are lots of hot baths and outdoor activities. I did a bike ride and went to some of the hot baths. Also stayed in an amzing hotel for 8 dollars a night. Most luxury I've had so far. Easier to bargain prices in that place as there are so many hotels. Rain! Boo!

This waterfall, you are able to climb around underneath the watefall and get a bit wet


Getting wet under the waterfall

Had a choice to go to Quito for a few days or met an English guy who was heading to Montañita by the coast. Thought I should catch a bit of a tan before heading off to New Zealand which is in winter. Easy choice although it meant another two days in buses. The waves are also good in Montañita so thought I'd put a bit of work in on my surfing. This isn't me but I was doing exactly the same... haha

Actually the most exciting thing in Montañita for me was a shop where you can get custom made board shorts made (swimming shorts). So you get to choose the design and colours etc and they make them for you. Simple things hey

Nice beach
Back to Quito for one night and then on a plane in the morning. 5 am. 40 dollars airport tax at Quito. Had to stop at Lima for a connection. Had 8 hours to kill so went into Lima for the day as I like Lima. Due to this I had to pay another 31 dollars when I came back to get on the plane. Airports are absolutely foul places. I have no doubt Santiago are going to do the same later today as well. Easy way to spend money on nothing. Last view of the Andes for this trip


Arrived in Santiago a few days ago hoping there would be snow in the mountains to snowboard. Although cold at night the weather is really sunny so no chance of snow. Phonecall to airline and changed my flight date. Fly to New Zealand tonight. Arrive on Sunday 4 am, lose a day somewhere. In Santiago have just been wandering the streets, went to an art gallery, have been going to nice restaurants. As it's my last day today I'm treating myself, went to a french cafe for breakfast, having Sushi for lunch and going to a steak restaurant for dinner

Sad to leave South America but looking forward to New Zealand, even though it is winter over there. Determined to get some snowboarding in