Posada Turistica Tabay Merida

... Ok we though can you tell us were we can park for a few nights around here. Originally the answer is nowhere, then they suggest we try the University again and if not we could try the car park for the bullring although that is not guarded. In the end we parked in the bull ring car park whilst waiting to speak to people at the University. When we did speak they told us that the director of Administration was not there today and only he could authorise it. The end result was that we ...

... days ago, we decided to rent a mountain bike and to reach La Culata, a peak around Merida. The problems started when the Jeep of our "guide" broke down half-way through the place he was supposed to drop us off.... so we ended up biking much more than initially planed! Of course, with my incredible physical condition, I had to stop and push my bike after less than 45 minutes of effort! (I have to say though, this was the first time of my life I actually biked in a ...

... the hill climb up from the tunnel to PG? Imaging that, but very rough terain, streams, lots of shrubbery, steeper and 9k with a 1000 meter climb! Anyhoo it was all worth it, especially when we got back to the hostel and were talking to the trecking guide and he said tourists normally either dont make it to the top or take around 6 hours to do it (we were under 4!). But enough bragging. In other news, I think my hair is going a little ...

... Doh!). I'd rustled up as many dollars as I could (apparently you can double your money on the black market with the $....some people said triple but again its not true) but forgot to change some. It was too early to change anywhere so using a taxi driver as a guide I got him to find me a dodgy money dealer back in Colombia (yes, we had to drive through customs again) and changed the minimum needed ($1 got me 4,500 Bolivars). And so after getting my money sorted out and catching a bus ...

Merida is one of those mountain towns where you can do all kinds of active things, but another attraction is Lake Maracaibo and the famous lightning storms that take place almost every night during the wet season. We were just outside the rainy season but we nipped over to take a look, staying at a traditional village in the lake (but perched on stilts) with an uninterrupted view of all the places where the lightning turns up. More on that later. The ...

... because of wind conditions, the AFL grandfinal not being on cable tv, seeing a bad traffic accident involving a school bus, motorcycle, truck and spilled petrol, getting harrassed crazily while changing buses during 36 hours of bus rides, eating deep fried cheese filled pastries for breakfast and dinner, polar fleece ...

... the agency also dressed up with the promise of birds, monkeys and crocodiles. Me: ¨How many of these trips have you done?¨ Ingrid: ¨To Catatumbo, maybe four or five.¨ Me: ¨And how often do you see the lightning?¨ Ingrid: ¨Maybe 50% of the time.¨ Me: ¨What!¨ Okay, now I´m worried. Why is no one else worried by this stat? Sara`s putting on an optimistic front to counteract my usual pessimism, but the others on the tour (a Danish ...

... entire vicinity. Disappointing as the weather was, we continued our climb as the narrow road curved its way up and around the green hillsides. In spite of the intermittent rain, local farmers everywhere were busy tending to their small parcels of vegetables and flowers, often situated on slopes of forty-five degrees or more. They could be seen meticulously harvesting lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, artichoke, leeks and ...

... with Adrian. Two girls said 'buenos dias' to me as we walked past, and giggled. Adrian laughed. 'You stand out here,' he said 'to them you look like Brad Pitt'. 'Not just here' I said, 'happens all the time.' I shook my head gravely. Such a burden. After breakfast, we made plans to meet up with Adrian later in the week, and went to our 'posada' a nice guest house with a courtyard and hammocks with a view of the Andes, for a little siesta. For the rest of ...

... So after having to cancel out sleeping for tonight in exchange for itchy, puffy eyelids and a bumpy face and neck, I can safely protest that... I HATE MOSQUITOS. I suppose it serves me right though. As before I left the states, my naturopathic doctor advised me NOT to eat bananas if I want to keep the mozzies away. And well, Ive been averaging about 3 bananas a day! I cant help it! They have about 10 types to choose from and they all have a distinct taste and there are ...