After breakfast this morning we arranged for a driver to take us to Parque Jaime Duque – a theme park just north of Bogota. With traffic pretty heavy, it took us nearly an hour to get there. It rained pretty much the whole way and we were hoping for the typical Bogota “four seasons in one day” weather such that it would be sunny and nice at the park. As it turned out, the rain cleared just as we arrived at the park and it was dry (but overcast) the rest of the time we were there.
The reason we went to Parque Jaime Duque was to visit the zoo there – we didn’t bother with the rest of the theme park, just paid for entrance to the zoo. I wasn’t expecting that much, and indeed our first impression was that they had nice grounds, but not a lot of animals. I was wrong.
Once we actually found the main enclosures, we were quite impressed with their collection of cats (both exotic and native to South America), and even more impressive was their collection of bird aviaries with macaws, parrots and birds of prey from Colombia and South America. They also had a collection of deer and antelope in large enclosures up the side of the hill. Andres loved the macaws – very colourful and making lots of noise.
We spent around 2 hours there (our driver was waiting for us, otherwise we would have spent longer), and then headed back to Bogota. Of course, it started raining again just as we reached the outskirts of Bogota.
We then headed out again to get some lunch and on the way back we stopped at the small shopping mall just up the road and I got a haircut at the local barber shop. You know you are in a wealthy area when there are guys getting manicures at the barber shop! I declined, but they did give me a shoulder and head massage after my trim. which was very nice.
Was a tiring day – we all went to bed quite early.
maruja mello says
este parque é lindo
Jill and Bill says
Finally viewing this great blog in Kununurra after travelling from Derby via the Gibb River Road. Our love to you all.
Kylie & Peter FitzGerald says
Hi Leanne and Simon, Sorry we haven’t dropped you a line earlier and said a big congratulations. Andres is gorgeous and you all look so happy. It looks things have been going relatively well for you (apart from sickness for too many days). Your blog is great and of course the photos are amazing – what a fabulous record of your journey! Have a wonderful time travelling back home. Looking forward to meeting Andres. Kylie, Peter, Julian and Izzi.
lea says
Hi Leanne, Simon & Andres, you have just taken me down memory lane, it is now twenty years since my trip to Chiqitines. The New premises look great and Stein Hotel is the same with Enrique showing the same hospitality no doubt. It looks as though uou have a healthy little boy, wishing you all the best and loads of happiness. thanks for all the photos. Lea