Colombia......11.11.01

We left Panama city 30 /10/01 to Cartagena a one hour flight. I had no idea what to expect, I felt a little nervous when the plane landed...never again.  At the airport I met Taare Puke from Australia; we quickly became friends and he was keen to help me for the rest of the trip.

I felt I had to make a crew change, I knew it was going to be difficult.  Colombia is the most spectacular country I've ever peddled but very dangerous. I will definitely come back again.

People very warm and friendly...always looking out for you.  They try to protect and warn against domestic dangers. One night....one of the coldest nights....I stopped at a restaurant to ask if there was a hotel at the next town to stay at but they insisted I stay at a hotel up the road. They escorted me to  very primitive lodgings. On my walk back to restaurant for dinner I heard 2 gun shots ring off. Within 50 meters of me, a man working on his truck beforehand, was now laying dead on the road!

The locals told me he was a informant against guerillas and that murder was commonplace in Colombia and a part of everyday life.  The mountains in Colombia are unbelievable! But very, very demanding. The altitude effects you and takes every effort and courage to get to the top. I was sad to leave Colombia.

A.Botha.