Colombia basic facts

President: Juan Manuel Santos





Population: 45 million

Capital: Bogota

3 largest cities:
1) Bogota
2) Medellin
3) Cali

Most touristic city: Cartagena

Currency: Colombian Peso (about COP 2000 to USD $ 1)

Colombian national anthem:

Good bye Rio!

I'm off to Colombia tomorrow.

Here are my top 10 for Rio:

1) New Year's on Copacabana beach-
I will never stop talking about those fireworks (link coming soon)




2) Samba schools - in particular Mangueira- EU SOU MANGUEIRA




3) Hiking and waterfalls in Parque Nacional da Tijuca
This park is the world's biggest national park in a metropolis and provides the most amazing views over the city of Rio! You're guarenteed to see animals you've never seen and if you get lost, you have plenty of jaca fruits to feed off of.
Swimming after hiking over massive trees and using metal chains to get on top of big rocks gives it's share of adventure as well.






4) Ipanema beach - volleyball, sunsets, posto 9
Amazing sunsets, beautiful people, and huge waves!




5) Paraty boat trips and snorkeling
I swam with turtles in turqoise water!!

6) Copacabana beach - late night caipinrinhas and the most ethereal sunrise after lapa
It might be the caipinrinhas but the sunrise was heavenlike!





7) Sucos - my favorites abacaxi and hortela, carambola, laranga e acerola
I'm opening a suceria in NYC!!

8) Hiking in Ilha Grande
Beautiful island, amazing trails leading to stunning beaches!

9) Mototaxi to the top of Rocinha
Yes, I almost got killed by oncoming vehicles but the views and the experience was worth it!

10) Prainha
Surfer paradise

Honorable mention: drunken combi rides and rollercoaster buses!