Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

Cundinamarca, Colombia During our trip in Colombia, my BFF and I decided to book two tours to take a respite from the bustling capital city with Beyond Colombia, a highly rated company that's been operating since 2013. The first tour we chose was a half-day trip to marvel at Tequendama Falls, followed by a visit to a coffee plantation called Hacienda Coloma.

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.

Avenida Domingo Diaz, Tocumen International Airport, Panama City, Panama Daily: 5.30am - 9.00pm Before embarking on our morning flight to Bogota, Colombia, my BFF and I had the opportunity to visit the flagship lounge of Copa Airlines at Terminal 2 of the principal international airport of Panama City. The lounge, which can accommodate up to 420 guests, boasts a captivating design. However, the breakfast offerings left much to be desired.

Avenida Domingo Diaz, Panama City, Panama Tocumen International Airport is the principal international gateway to Panama, which is situated over 20 km from the capital city. Since its inauguration in 1947, it's grown to become the busiest airport in Central America. There are two terminal buildings, the second of which was opened in 2019 to accommodate the increasing demands of air travel.

Miraflores Locks, Panama City, Panama Panama Canal is one of the world's crucial arteries of international trade, ranking among the largest and most challenging engineering projects ever undertaken. Completed in 1914 after years of ambitious construction, the artificial 82-kilometre waterway has transformed global trade by providing a vital shortcut between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Panama City, Panama The capital city of Panama is a vibrant metropolis known for its dynamic blend of history and modernity. Located at the Pacific entrance of the renowned Panama Canal that's significantly boosted global trade and the economy, the city was founded on 15 August 1519 by a Spanish conquistador named Pedro Arias Davila.

Calle Aquilino de la Guardia, Panama City, Panama Situated in the heart of the financial district of Panama City, The Executive Hotel Panama (4*) is a boutique hotel offering a total of 150 guest rooms, each equipped with a 42" flat-screen LCD TV and a refrigerator. It's located in a relatively quiet area at night, and isn't far from El Carmen subway station.

CUN-PTY (2h 45m) Boeing 737-800 ETD:  11.35am (GMT - 5) ETA: 2.20pm (GMT - 5) A member of the Star Alliance, Copa Airlines serves as the flag carrier of Panama. It's no coincidence if the livery reminds you of the now-defunct Continental Airlines and the current United Airlines because Copa Airlines formed a partnership with the former in 1998 and adopted a similar brand image.