Author Archives: Richard Griffith

About Richard Griffith

My first independent travel experience was a trip to Israel, in 1997, it was here that I caught the 'travel' bug! In 2001 I took an 8-month sabbatical and traveled around South East Asia. Since then I have managed to visit most of Eastern Europe along with India, Bangladesh, and a few other destinations in between. I love travel and I love meeting new people.

Bridge over troubled water

Posted on 24/03/2014 by Richard Griffith

Located east of Medellin, the wonderfully preserved colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioquia makes for a great day trip from Medellin. The driver of the local bus, which I had unluckily chosen, was obviously on ‘something’. Ignoring every single … Continue reading →

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‘Turn on, tune in, drop out’

Posted on 24/03/2014 by Richard Griffith

Medellin (pronounced ‘Medajean’), the city of Colombia’s proudest residents, the paisas, is an amazing place. It was once the world’s most murderous city, though you’d never know it today. With a perfect, perpetual spring-like climate, chic shopping malls, world-class restaurants … Continue reading →

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‘The only risk is never wanting to leave’

Posted on 16/03/2014 by Richard Griffith

Cartagena – pronounced ‘Cartahena’. A fairy-tale city of romance, legends and sheer beauty, Cartagena is a beautiful city with cobbled alleys, enormous balconies shrouded in bougainvillea and massive churches casting their shadows across leafy plazas. Founded in 1533, Cartagena swiftly … Continue reading →

Posted in Colombia | 2 Comments

I’m an agronomist, get me out of here!

Posted on 06/03/2014 by Richard Griffith

The lost city (Colombia) Ciudad Perdida – (literally, ‘Lost City’) is one of the largest pre-Colombian towns discovered in the Americas. It was built between the 11th and 14th centuries on the northern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa … Continue reading →

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“Giant steps are what you take…..”

Posted on 26/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Salta to San Pedro De Atacama (SPDA). Departure 00:30, arrival 11:30 (approx). An unexpected reunion at the Salta bus station meant that the waiting time just flew by. It had been nearly a month since I last saw Robyn and … Continue reading →

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The road to hell.

Posted on 25/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Cordoba to Salta – departure 17:40, arrival 06:30 (approx). For the next leg of my journey I foolishly decided to save some money and travel Semi-Cama, as opposed to Executive-Cama. I would regret this decision, and all for the sake … Continue reading →

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Jesuits, Israelis and ‘El Che’.

Posted on 19/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

After two days of rest and recuperation in Mendoza (it rained none stop) I took an overnight bus, north, to Córdoba. Despite being Argentina’s second city it doesn’t overwhelm you like Buenos Aires, and is everything a city should be … Continue reading →

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Crossing the Andes.

Posted on 18/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Miercoles 12/02/2014 Departure 08:31, Arrival 18:30. Crossing the Andes between Valparaiso (Chile) and Mendoza (Argentina) was a unique and memorable experience. The journey provided magnificent mountain scenery, and included a close view of Mount Aconcagua (6,962 meters above sea level). … Continue reading →

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The city of hills.

Posted on 13/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Brimming with wonderful restaurants and cafés, stunning vistas, super friendly people, and a ‘things to see and do’ list that most cities would die for. Let me introduce Valparaiso, the spectacular faded beauty of its chaotic hills, the maze of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chile | 5 Comments

Chile facts.

Posted on 11/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Chile is approximately 4,630 kilometers long and 430 kilometers wide. The total geographical area of Chile is roughly 756,096 square kilometres. The UK covers 243,610 square kilometres. Chile Con Carne (literally hot sauce with meat) does not originate from Chile. … Continue reading →

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