The Adventure Begins | Cerro de Monserrate ● Bogotá, Colombia


It's a beautiful Sunday morning, we woke up a little later than we would have liked to...(mainly because of me 😅). We decided to hike Monserrate today because we figured it's best to go on Sundays when it's crowded (to be cautious of pick pocketers and muggers, which are apparently common on the way up to Monserrate.) We made it on the bus to the main area where most of the activities happen. However, the bus took a detour and we had to walk farther to get to Monserrate. Every Sunday, the main streets of Bogotá are blocked off for La Ciclovía, which is the Spanish term for "bike path" or "cycleway". It was nice to see so many people out, riding around and just having a good time.

 On our way to the entrance of Monserrate, we could see some kind of parade going on from afar. Thinking back at it now, I wish we would have went down there to check it out. But we didn't 😔 Later when we were reading the news and of things to do in Bogotá, we found out that this weekend was the Carnaval de Bogotá (Bogotá's Carnival or Carnival of Bogota) is celebrated in Bogotá every year on August 5 and August 6 for the city's anniversary of its Hispanic foundation. 

 If you happen to ever be in the area during this time, this has to be a must-see! (I am tempted to come back around this time next year...to see the festival again! It looks so interesting and think of all the photo/video opportunities!! 😬)

We reached the entrance of the mountain and it was already so crowded with people. There's a tram and gondola that you can take up there, but the line was super long. So we decided to hike up along with the crowd of people already making their way up.

Let's just say... it. was. INTENSE. But to our surprise, there was such a diversity of people there (young as 1-2 years old to grandpas & grandmas) hiking up as well. Kudos to them!! We were very impressed and I thought to myself, "If they can do it, we can do it too!!" Fighting! 
The road up was a continuously path of stone steps going up and through small "villages" or marketplaces where people can sit and enjoy snacks and drinks. We were a little skeptical to take out our phone and cameras because of the uncertainty of whether it was safe to do so or not. Now thinking back, it could have been okay. But then again, I am not fit enough to be able to run away from someone whose trying to take my things.

After an hour of hiking up...(in pain), WE MADE IT to the top!!

Cerro de Monserrate (2017-08-06)


Tim & I 💖


Here was a monastery, a marketplace and some kind of courtyard where people can relax and snack on food from the vendors/shops. We decided to try one of the restaurants in the marketplace.
We ordered tamal con chocolate y pan ($7,000) & bistec a caballo ($11,000). Tamal had chicken inside and it was served with some bread and a cup of hot chocolate. It's a Colombian special - dipping the bread in the chocolate.
Side note: I had no idea what caballo was, just ordered it upon seeing the photo on the menu. It was my first time trying horse. 😧 (Sorry Horsie...& my vegetarian friends)


After lunch, we made our way back down and headed home. It was an exhausting but rewarding day!! On our way down, we were asked to take a photo with a group. Check it out!

They even put up the "Asian" ✌sign. 😂

We are local celebrities, due to the rare sighting of Asians here...? This was the second time someone has asked for a photo with us!

Here are some more photos from today:

Courtyard (2017-08-06)


Hernan & Diana | Collab by JADE x Vertigo Graffiti x MDCREW


Until next time...

~ Lynna

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