Travelling Mechanic

Taking the bus from Cali I arrived in Rovira late in the morning on new years eve. I arrived to a great party atmosphere of water and flour bombs. Truck loads of people taking to the streets Stuffed male doll (Like our guy fawkes) standing on the back of the truck. Burning "Mr. Old Year" is a New Year's tradition in Colombia. It requires the participation of the entire family. They fabricate a big stuffed male doll that represents the old year. Then they stuff the doll with different materials. Sometimes they put some little fireworks in it to make it more exciting at the time they burn it. Also, they put things inside that they don't want anymore, objects that can bring sadness or bad memories. These things will burn with the old year, meaning that they want to forget all the bad things that happened during the past year. They dress the man with old clothes from each member of the family. Then, on New Year's Eve at midnight, they set the doll on f

The highlight of my 3 month travels, of Central America, Colombia and Peru. Was my time in Rovira Colombia. I stayed with the family of my Colombian friend who lives in England.  The family is very large and they made me feel very welcome.  Rovira is a department of Tolima, Rovira is about a 1 hour bus ride south from Ibague and is located in a valley, that has the feel of a village. The local people are very friendly and I was the only tourist in town at the time.  Visiting family members just 1 kilometer outside Rovira Overlooking Rovira Iglesia Santa Gertrudis I accidently through Daniels frisbee on the roof of the Cantina! This photo is showing Daniel with a bamboo pole retrieving his frisbee  Stairway to Iglesia Santa Gertrudis

Taking the bus from Cali, to visit beautiful colonial Popayan Guanabana fruit drink Main plaza Bunuelos 

Arrived late from a very long 11 hour bus ride from Ibague, that went over the beautiful Andes mountain range. On arriving at the bus station, we jumped in to a taxi, to take us to meet with my friends parents. As I jumped in the taxi I deleted the address on my iPhone touch screen!!!  Had to find a internet cafe, but could not find the info stored on my Skype account, so my friend Marvin called his brother in Bogota, as I had been using his girlfriends laptop. I gave him my password and he went though the history till he found the address. We arrive at my friends parents home just before midnight.  Having a cold beer with friends in Cali Crossing the Andes

A good end to a day, meeting with friends for a drink.   Gorge I meet in London about 5 years ago now he is living and working in Bogota, his friend Yuri and my crazy friends Marvin and Kamilo. McDonalds Bogota.  The most expensive McDonald's I have been to and we had to wait over half an hour to be served as it was so busy. My friends loved it, ordering double large of everything. Must be a new thing for them in Bogota! When I showed this photo to friends in Rovira , they thought it was a new shopping mall. Lets hope they never have to eat this so called convenience food, would be a shame to see Colombia change like it's North American counterpart. 

Plaza Bolivar. Located in historical area of Bogotá. Monserrate  is a mountain that  dominates the city center of Bogotá. It rises to 3,152 metres (10,341 ft) above the sea level. View of the city from Monserrate Wishing well at Monserrate Monserrate

One of the greatest engineering works ever to be undertaken at the time, when opened in 1914. The project of building the locks began in 1909. Miraflores Lock, gates of the Gatun lock There are two independent lanes at each lock, for two lane traffic. The locks limit the maximum size of ships that can transit the canal, the became known as Panamax. The expansion of the Panama Canal, which will allow larger ships and double the capacity of the canal is under construction. The project includes a new set of wider locks and deepening of the navigation channels. Opening in 2014 in time for 100 year anniversary. View live webcam  http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

Has benefited from the Panama Canal , being the economic and financial center of the country. There has also been an increase in real estate investment and the opening of luxury hotels.  Panama City and Bay, seen from Casco Viejo. Casco Viejo Built and settled in 1671 after the destruction of Panama Viejo by the privateer Henry Morgan, the historic district of Panama City (known as Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo, or San Felipe) was conceived as a walled city to protect its settlers against future pirate attacks. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003 Puente de Las Américas seen from Casco Viejo

Is a province of Panama , comprising of the mainland and nine main islands. Bocas can  easily  be reached in a day from cahuita   Costa  Rica, crossing  an  old railroad bridge. Which is the  border  crossing where you can take a bus to catch a boat to Bocas Town. You will see many banana plantations on your way to Bocas del Toro. Border  crossing  into  Panama  Colourful wooden building.  The capital city of Bocas del Toro "Bocas Town" on Isla Colon, is where most tourist base themselves before moving to a quieter island Boca del drago on Isla Colon, is one of the best beaches on the island. You can see many starfish in the dry season when the sea is calm and the water is clear. You can take a boat or bus from Bocas Town.   DON'T TOUCH THE STARTFISH Keeping out of the rain and having a can of Cuba Libra  Being watched by the locals Red frog beach  on the southern side of Isla Bastimentos, has a natural harbor and beautiful sa

The Jaguar rescue center is a rescue and education center to rehabilitate mistreated, injured, and confiscated animals. Which are then reintroduced to their natural habitat in protected areas.   Go to website     Red eye tree frog Howler monkey Fer de lance