One last trip.....

Some of the group had already headed off in various directions on early flights, but a few of us headed back into Bogota for the morning. We had grand plans but the traffic put paid to most of them as it took us 50 minutes to negotiate the traffic jams and get to Plaza de Bolivar. 

We had been told about the Police Museum. All males in Colombia are required to undertake one year of military service, and those in the police force can opt to act as guides around the museum. But they were all too shy to take an English group! One ended up being forced into it and he was so shy, bless him! It was actually really interesting, and in a beautiful building that until 2 years ago had been the police headquarters. 

There was quite a lot about Pablo Escobar, the most notorious of the drug cartel lords. He had actually handed himself in to the police and then paid off the powers that be to allow him to be imprisoned in a prison he had built! There he was visited by all of his family, friends, and sports stars, and he had 24 hour cocktail service! When he realised he was to be moved to the army prison he legged it, but was eventually tracked down by the police, despite having cosmetic surgery to change his appearance, and shot dead in 1993!

Fascinating stuff! There was also a mural depicting the history of the police force, as well as collections of firearms, historical uniforms, details of up to date gadgets etc.

Given the ticking clock, we then only had time for one last Colombian hot chocolate and one of their delicious sweets, before again taking our lives in our hands and subjecting ourselves to one more taxi ride. Thankfully he didn't crash the car until seconds after we had jumped out!!!!

It was an emotional farewell to Leon our tour guide. He is rightly proud of his country and instilled the same enthusiasm in us all. Humble, funny, and with a great understanding of British humour, he has really helped us make some fabulous memories.

His final task was to deliver the last of us to El Dorado International airport, which he duly did about 5 hours ago. As I type this I am already at 33,000ft, just having passed over Caracas, and I have mixed emotions......