BOGOTÁ (PART I)
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is around 8,500 feet above sea level. Nearby Monserrate is over 10,000 feet above sea level and offers views (when clear) of the city. The following pics are mostly of Monserrate (above the city). The Bogotá Botanical Gardens (in the city) are featured in Part II.

First a few views of Monserrate from Bogotá...





Another mountain view, this time from La Candelaria (looking up Cerro de Guadalupe)...



There are 2 ways to Monserrate (at the top of a mountain just barely outside of Bogotá)--a tram and a funicular (or walking). I took the funicular, since the tram was not operating that day.

A garden near the base (from the funicular)...



A view looking down on the funicular...



View of the tram (from the top)...



Unfortunately, it was quite hazy and cloudy...but still, there was a view of the city...





Monterey pines (a commonly planted tree there, even though it's native to the Monterey, California area)...



Some views of the architecture at the top...







A very white/silver-leafed plant (which is native to Colombia) called white arnica (Senecio niveoaureus) was planted a lot in Monserrate. The leaves were so bright silver that a close-up shot appears almost to be a black-and-white photo!





Blooms of the red angel's trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea) in Monserrate...



A couple of smaller red angel's trumpets on a steep hill...



Fuchsia boliviana...



Some sort of yellow-flowering Senna tree...



The very common tree poppy (Bocconia frutescens) in Monserrate (note the purple variety of Acacia baileyana toward the right)...



Go here for Part II of Bogotá...

All of the above pictures on this page were taken in June 2009 by Brandt Maxwell.

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