Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

BOG-PTY (1h 55m) Boeing 777-300ER ETD:  3.55pm (GMT - 5) ETA: 5.50pm (GMT - 5) Turkish Airlines TK800 is a multi-leg route from Istanbul, Turkey to Bogota, Colombia, and then continuing onward to Panama City before heading back to its point of origin. I had the opportunity to experience the latter two legs, marking the longest time I've ever spent inside a Business Class cabin. 

Near Gate 32, El Dorado International Airport, Bogota, Colombia Daily: 3.30am - 12 midnight The flagship lounge of Avianca is located on the second floor near Gate 32 of El Dorado International Airport. While it may not measure up to the standards of some other flagship lounges globally, it's fairly spacious and divided into two areas: one for Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members, while the other is open to travellers accessing using programs such as DragonPass.

103-09 Avenida El Dorado, Bogota, Colombia Named after the legend of a mythical city of gold, El Dorado International Airport is the primary gateway to Colombia. Known as one of the busiest airports in Latin America, the airport serves as a key hub for both Avianca and LATAM Airlines, the flag carrier of Colombia and Chile respectively.

Bogota, Colombia Monserrate is a mountain that rises above 3,000 m, overlooking the city centre of Bogota. Considered sacred since pre-Columbian times when it was inhabited by the indigenous Muisca people, the mountain is a pilgrimage site with a church perched at its summit. Beyond its spiritual significance, it's also an iconic tourist attraction.

Bogota, Colombia Bogota is the vibrant capital city of Colombia where colonial-era architecture blends seamlessly with modern urban life. Sitting at an altitude of 2,640 m above sea level, it's one of the highest capital cities in the world. The elevation gives Bogota a cool, refreshing climate that remains pleasantly consistent throughout the year.

823 Calle 66, Bogota, Colombia For a safe, quiet place to stay in Bogota, you may want to consider the Chapinero area, which is one of the more affluent districts in the capital city of Colombia. Hotel Vilar America began as a small family-run establishment in 1979 and has since expanded to provide 73 comfortable rooms for its guests.

PTY-BOG (1h 40m) Boeing 737 MAX 9 ETD:  9.30am (GMT - 5) ETA: 11.10am (GMT - 5) My initial skepticism about Boeing 737 MAX 9 stemmed from the two tragic accidents involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, which led to its grounding worldwide from March 2019 to November 2020. Despite that, I finally decided to give it a try, opting for a relatively short flight with Copa Airlines from Panama City to Bogota, Colombia.