Paragliding

Trip Start Jun 21, 2009

Trip End Jul 17, 2009

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Where I stayed

Palm tree hostal

(Medellin hotels)

Flag of Colombia Medellin, Colombia
Monday, July 13, 2009

Medellin is surrounded by mountains so the views everywhere you look urge you to venture out away from the bustling city. However after I arrived on saturday, I went off to check out the nearby sights first. There are the usual parks and churches and some interesting sculptures scattered around the centre. Art seems to be a big thing here and I read somewhere that any new buildings have to have something arty outside to contribute to the city (?).

There's a modern metro (the only one in Colombia I believe?) which makes it easy to get around and the viaducts above street level allow more views of the city below and around which beats having to take the bus anyday!

Most of the literature on Medellin provides a detailed history of the influence of the drug lords and the violence experienced not that long ago, but there are few reminders here now

01 Bird of peace

. The city is just like any big city - busy, polluted and easy to find your way around.

I took a short trip out of the city yesterday to Sopetran where I spent most of the day hanging out (literally!) and went paragliding to absorb the beautiful views over the valley in between the towns of Sopetran and Santa Fe Antioquia.

Santa Fe Antioquia is virtually untouched with cobbled streets and whitewashed colonial houses... and seems to be slightly off the beaten track which means you can get away from the gringo trail. If I had known about this place before I would have definitely chosen to stay there rather than Medellin and the endless partying!

As well as drinking, Medellin is popular for plastic surgery, but I gave the implants a miss and spent my last day checking out the museum with the many picasso pieces and then hanging around until I could get an overnight bus to Bogota and avoid arriving there in darkness.

Medellin is definitely worth a visit but unless you want to party hard I would suggest avoiding the weekends!