COLUMBIA … for a day … as you do …
You might want to accuse us of just trying to bag another country and get another passport stamp.
And you would be absolutely right! Yep! Guilty as charged!
We have had many discussions on what constitutes "bagging a country". Over 24 hours, slept one night, stepped out the airport, bought some coffee. However you calculate it we have done Columbia!
For the second time in our 7-month trip we booked our accommodation in advance! It was great to be picked up at the airport and we had fun chatting in broken Spanish on the drive to the hostel.

The next morning Jonny went off to the gold museum and in true Latin American style was given some very unrealistic timing. The museum was very interesting and Bogota itself seemed quite a friendly and un-touristy place, the latter probably more down to the reputation is has got. Arriving back to the hostel over an hour late was not good for Nats serenity, especially with this reputation that Bogota has. So we headed straight off to the airport where we planned to check in, get some lunch and sit out the remaining few hours before our final two flights back to the UK.

After some indecision between various officials, it was decided that we would have to pay the airport tax as we had been in Bogota about 25hours and you only were given exemption if it was less than 24hours. Anyhow after the security checks, much queuing and a rushed bite to eat we dashed for the departure lounge to meet the boarding time. This itself was two hours early of the flight departure time and as the time grew closer there was still no plane in sight. Departure time arrived and then security turn up to put everyone back through a portable luggage scanner before boarding the Iberia airlines plane that has finally arrived and we leave Columbia an 1hour and 20mins late. The plane was ok if a little unclean and the food was edible. The entertainment it has to be said was pretty dire, the hostess was miserable and along with the lack of sleep we tumbled into Madrid having caught up a little time with the tail winds.

After a seamless transfer and a short hop back to the UK (where you had to pay for food or drink!?) we arrived only 10mins late and miraculously our bags appear in the carousel. This might sound a little grouchy but during the last few weeks we have found only 2 people who havn’t lost baggage, been delayed or generally had a bad experience with Iberia airlines.
So what was our experience of Iberia … well it was ok … but … with the pleasant flight with B.A., the awesome service and quality of Qantas and the charming service of LAN … well … Iberia really lets the OneWorld team down.

Anyhow we are back on UK soil and, gor blimey love, its colder here than Patagonia. And down there they have winds that blow off the Antarctic!

So its time to go hunting for jobs, a house, a car and some new clothes.
At some point we should reflect on our travels and put down some thoughts as to what we have learnt and how this trip has enriched our lives. Certainly our marriage is stronger and we are abundantly closer than before.

We look forward to catching up with all our friends soon … if your still travelling then make the most of it and enjoy your time.