Colombia The Spirit of Paradise

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WORDS Antonella Bueno

Located in the north-west of South America, Colombia is a place where people will greet you with a cup of coffee or with a typical ‘buenas’ (good day). Situated between the Andes, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea and with a tropical climate all year long, Colombia is a megadiverse country with everything from lust rainforests to idyllic beaches.

For a unique mixture of white beaches, ocean views and sweltering deserts, head up north to the State of La Guajira, Cabo or Cape de la Vela. The region is adorned with towering cliffs, sandy beaches and stunning reddish-brown colours of the desert. If you are familiar with the work of famous author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then visit the town of Mompox which inspired the novel Chronicle of a Death Foretold.

The Andean region is immensely populated and includes two of the biggest cities in Colombia: Bogotá and Medellin. The capital Bogotá is the cultural and urban centre of the country. It features attractions like the Gold Museum, which houses the largest pre-Hispanic gold work collection, the largest Ibero-American Theatre Festival and a popular steak house restaurant called Andrés Carne de Res which is located on the outskirts of the city. Besides culture, the region also has breath-taking landscapes like the Cocora Valley.

Music & warmth

In the Coffee Triangle, the scenery is characterised by rivers and steep hills with coffee plantations and farms. While visiting the small easy-going town of Salento, you may also get a peak of the typical Colombian farmer wearing a poncho and a traditional hat called sombrero vueltiao.

If you hear Salsa music and spot an open bottle of Aguardiente, a local alcoholic beverage, you will have stepped into Cali – the Salsa capital of the world. The warmth of its residents, the seven rivers and remarkable location sited in the middle of a valley, makes Cali the perfect destination for anyone eager to learn or improve their Salsa dancing.

If you want to fall asleep in a hammock whilst watching the sunset in the Amazon, there is no better place than the Amacayacú National Park. You can sleep outdoors along the majestic Amazon River, in the middle of the largest and most bio-diverse rainforest in the world. At night when the forest is flooded, hop into a canoe and navigate through narrow pathways covered with Victoria Amazonica, the largest of the water lilies.

Traditional food

Responsible for the voluptuous Colombian curves, Colombian dishes are so varied and unique that I could go on forever detailing their distinctive tastes. For the most important meal of the day, try the ‘Pandebono.’ It is a delightful soft cheese bread which is a perfect accompaniment to either coffee or hot chocolate. For lunch, ‘Ajiaco’ is a definite must-have. This filling dish is made from chicken, three varieties of potatoes and a herb called ‘Guasca.’ It is delicious but may leave you in bed for the rest of the day, especially if you’re feeling particular hungry and opt for the extras of avocado, capers, white cream and rice. As for dinner, if you are still feeling adventurous, try a specialty dish called ‘Empanadas,’ – a personal favourite of mine. Consisting of an acorn-based pastry stuffed with meat and potatoes, this dish is best enjoyed with a famous Colombian drink called ‘lulada.’ The drink is made from the citrus Iulo fruit, water, sugar and ice.

Party people

In Colombia, there is always a reason to celebrate, dance and drink. The year dances by to the rhythm of tropical music creating a contagious sense of happiness emphasised by the numerous carnivals, fairs and parades taking place. During Christmas time, Cali becomes one big party. Between the 25–30 December, the city hosts La Feria de Cali (Cali Fair), an exceptionally different way of celebrating the last few days of the year. If you cannot dance, the Salsódromo is your opportunity to admire the locals move their feet. In January, enjoy a six-day celebration where all races come together to celebrate the Blacks and Whites Carnival.

Colombia is certainly a place that can never be defined within a set amount of space or words. The culture, nightlife and general surroundings have to be experienced and not just read about.

In February, the Barranquilla Carnival – Colombia’s most important folklore celebration – is one of the biggest carnivals in the world behind Rio de Janeiro’s annual carnival. The Barranquilla should definitely appear on your to-do list. In just four days, the city of Barranquilla, in the Caribbean region, is able to pull off a spectacular carnival which has been declared by UNESCO as a World Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Barranquilla Carnival finds its roots in a mix of Catholic heritage brought by Spanish colonisers, Aboriginal ceremonies and the pulsating beat of African music. Whenever you decide to visit, Colombia is waiting for you to join the party!

Colombia is certainly a place that can never be defined within a set amount of space or words. The culture, nightlife and general surroundings have to be experienced and not just read about. Nothing can prepare you for the surprises and encounters you will stumble upon in this tropical paradise. After your first visit, the country will definitely capture your heart.

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