Cali Trip Report – Jan 24-28 2007
Continued from my Bogota Trip report.
Got into CLO at 2pm. I took a colectivo into the bus “Terminal.” It cost me somewhere between 2700k and 3500k (I’m sorry I don’t exactly remember, but it is posted inside the colectivo). FYI, a taxi into center of Cali will be about 30k-35k COP. This van is very old and looks like it will fall apart any minute. All the large luggage is placed/stacked on the roof of the van and strapped down. I was definitely scared that my luggage (and everyone else’s) will fall off, but I figure they do this everyday, so I just decided to be ignorant. We get to the terminal in about 30 minutes or so.
I then get in the line to get an official taxi. Just like any bus station around the world, there are sketchy looking characters just sitting around, but I wasn’t harassassed. At the taquilla, I told them the name of hotel and the address (Apartahotel del Rio, Av2N and Calle 21). The lady gave me a little ticket the price printed at the bottom. She said that I had to give her 300 COP and then I had to pay the driver 3100 COP upon arrival. I didn’t really bother asking her why I had to pay the 300 COP (didn’t have to do this at Bogota Airport), but I just wanted to get going and 300 COP is less than $0.15. I give the ticket to the guy flagging down the taxis and he scribbled/wrote the license plate number on the back of the ticket with a pencil (I don’t know how that was supposed to help me if I get kidnapped/ripped off) as he didn’t keep a record of it for himself. Oh well.
The driver brings me to the place which is a very short distance from the terminal (probably 1-2 minutes if there were no traffic; apparently 3100 COP is the minimum fare for taxis in Cali). I check into Apartahotel del Rio – [url]www.apartahoteldelrio.com[/url] Av2N No. 21N-05.
The 2 person price for a Habitacion Sencilla – 96.000, Habitacion Junior – 110.000, Junior Suite - 130.000. I opted for the Habitacion Junior for one person which costed me 98.000 COP a night. I do want to say that they do respond to their email for reservation, but it is NOT reliable (sometimes they respond, sometimes they don’t). It is easier to just call.
The Habitaction Junior was huge. I got placed on the top floor (11) in a corner room. The top floor was a pain in the ass, as the elevators go only up to 10, and you have to take the stairs to get to 11. The room had a queen sized bed, living area, refrigerator, reasonable bathroom, corner balcony, and a walk-in closet! I don’t think the room gets used very often as 4 of 7 lighting fixtures weren’t working when I arrived (didn’t notice until the evening). In the morning the second day, I told the cleaning lady that and they did have it all fixed (lights bulbs needed changing) by the time I got back. Another gripe is that the room is fairly big that the 19” tv placed on the other side of the room is not really viewable from the bed.
Breakfast is included (you go to the restaurant downstairs and select one of choices from the menu). Internet IS NOT included (they said it was 100 COP a minute or 3500 COP an hour) – they write the times down on a piece of paper and it isn’t very accurate. I don’t recommend using their internet unless YOU HAVE TO. I had to argue the bill upon leaving because they started charging me random prices. They had one paper saying that I used it for 1.5 hours and the times were written down. They had another paper on the same day just saying that I used the internet for an additional two hours. I asked them what specific time did I use it because I didn’t use the internet for 3.5 hours in a single day. They called some lady and they dropped the down to an additional 1 hour. Then they had a paper saying that they were going to charge me 16500 COP for the internet and the papers I printed. I argued with them about that, too, saying that I didn’t print anything and that this must be a mistake. They eventually dropped the 16500 COP charge. Bottom line, don’t use their internet unless you have to.
Also upon leaving they try to charge me for a water from the mini-bar. I told them that I didn’t use the minibar and that I had this 5 L jug of bottle water in the room (which about 3L left). Why would I drink their? They dropped that charge, too.
Overall, I liked Apartahotel del Rio and would stay here again. I liked it for its PROXIMITY to the casas, and I felt safe in the hotel (nothing was stolen, including my laptop). Also, the reception girls are nice and pretty (one of them was really pretty). The walk (7 blocks) up to Av. Sexta can be sketchy after dark, so that probably wasn’t the smartest thing that I did. Next time, I would likely just take a Habitacion Sencilla, if I were traveling solo.
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Okay, onward to the casas. Many of them are congregated to the area east of Apartahotel del Rio (2-4 block walk). During this trip, I visited only two (Calle 23AN 2N-95, and Clinica de Del Doctor Amor), but as one can see from the Cali List, there are many.
The first one I went to was this one on the list.
"Calle 23AN 2N-95. Near Torre de Cali. Every day from 10am till 8pm. Prettiest chicas of all Casas. COP 35K for 30 mins., COP 45 60 mins. Ariana is recommended. Good service."
Address, prices are correct. I don't think they are open on Sunday, though. The near Torre de Cali part is misleading as Clinica del Doctor Amor is closer to Torre de Cali than this casa. Basically, Torre de Cali is on Av 2N, and as you walk east along the river/Avienda 2N, you’ll hit Apartahotel del Rio on Calle 21. As you keep walking east you’ll pass Clinical del Doctor Amor on Calle 23 (the northeast corner). The next block would be Called 23A, turn left onto it. The house is on the left hand side.
I walk in at about 2pm and the guy tells me to have a seat on one of the decrepit leather couches. He asks me if I wanted to have something to drink (I thinkthe prices would be 2k for a gaseosa and 3k for a beer), but I declined. He presented me with all the girls that are available. Again they come totally apathetic, shaking your hand and mumbling their names. Sometimes their mumble their names as they turned their face away about to leave. And the worst was when they’ll stroll in talking on their cell phones?!? I don’t understand how anyone would pick the cell phone girls?
He explained that basically I can choose any of the girls for 30 minutes (35k COP) or 60 minutes (45k COP). He explained that for 60 minutes I would get TWO relaciones (wow, I feel like I’m in Rio again). The selection wasn’t so great, but I picked this older (she turned out to be 30) girl named Juli/July with a rounder figure but a big butt. She was very nice and we got along very very well.
We into one of the rooms, and they are no more dirty/sketchy than the apartments in Buenos Aires. The man places two condoms and a towel on the bed. What I found interesting is that their windows are wide open (It is hot in Cali) and any noise from traffic on the street comes in and whatever noise we make goes out! Some of the rooms had fans.
Juli really took care of me. She gave me kisses on the lips and an unsolicited BBBJ for about 5 minutes or so, which was fairly good. Intercourse was of course covered and in multiple positions (Missionary, cowgirl and finishing in doggie). After my first orgasm, I cleaned myself off and we had fairly good small talk. She tells me that she has 2 sons and a sick mother who lives about 1-2 hours away by bus. She is here M-Sat (everyday the place is open) and goes home by bus on Saturday night and returns Monday afternoon. She says that she actually LIVES in the house, and that anyone who works here can, but the majority lives with their family or their apt in Cali. After I was ready again, I gave me a BBBJ until I was at full attention. I came in the cowgirl position the second time. I had a real great time with her, and I actually repeated with her 2 days later. We laid there chatting until the guy from downstairs told her it was time. And even then, she took her time getting dressed, etc.
I returned here the second day and the guy said that Juli was going to be occupied by a client for 2 HOURS? The guy presented me with all the girls, and I didn’t see any that stood out. I asked the guy if he could give any recommendations. He recommended to me two of the girls, of which I picked Ledi/Ledy from Barranquilla. I asked him if she was “muy Buena” while doing a hand motion as if you were going to refuse more cards in blackjack (and you do the hand motion twice; and this apparently in Colombia means to be good in bed). The guy nodded.
The girl had the typical tanned skin of a costeña. She was about 20 years old and was cute/energentic. The sex was better than average and her CBJ was with so much suction that I felt it was one of the better CBJ that I have ever received. Multiple positions afterwards, I came in doggie. We chatted and small talk was okay. When I was ready for the second pop, she brought up whether I would tip her. I said, only if you give me a BBBJ. She said how about 20.000? I actually didn’t even bring that much money (I only brought 55k, so that I’ll have 10k left for incidentals incase of emergency). I said that I only can give her 5k.
Anyways, we had our second relacion and it was pretty good too, with me coming in the cowgirl position. She immediately got off, went to shower, and put her clothes on (I think I was in the room for about 40 minutes). Upon leaving she asked for her tip. I unwillingly gave her the 5k (didn’t feel like arguing) since her performance wasn’t out of the ordinary.
Third day, I returned to visit Juli/July and she was indeed available. She gave me the treatment as the first. BBBJ, multiple positions, and taking her time. I came in cowgirl and the second time in reverse cowgirl. She is a real nice girl, never rushed and spent the entire hour with me until the guy calls for her.
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The second casa I visited was Clinica del Doctor Amor.
"Clínica del Doctor Amor / Dr Love. Every taxidriver know this place. Avenida 2N #23-XX. Everyday from 9am till 8pm. Price for one hour P$38,000 (US$17)."
The address is specifically Av 2N No. 23-23. The entrance is on the northeast corner of the Av 2N and Calle 23. You'll see a parking lot with entrance from Calle 23. Walk through the parking lot to get main entrance. There are guys standing outside the entrance. They are open from 10a-9pm M-Sat; Closed Sun. 28k for 1/2 hour, 38k for 1 hour; and there are some VIP girls that are apparently more with the 1 hour being 45k (I didn't hear how much for the 30 min).
I got there at 7pm, and there were about 10 guys sitting there already. One of the guys who worked there explained to me that they are their waiting for their friends or something that there are rooms/girls available. I was present with approximately 10-12 girls, none of which were the VIP girls because of availability. I picked Dianna, and she was beautiful. She was Caleña and 20 years old. Skinny, tight body and doesn’t have any children. She only has been working there for 2 months.
I picked her and a guy brought us to another section (VIP section?) and we chatted to discuss the details. I didn’t understand what there was to talk because I thought I had already chosen, but I apparently I can talk to her to see if I really like her or whatever. All she asked was that if I knew the prices and she stated that the BJ would be covered.
She took me to this ticket window where I slip the 38k under this board and a towel and 2 condoms was given to us. We went to a room and the sex was average, but she was so hot and innocent. Her fake moans annoyed at times, but I learned to block those out. There was a mirror at the top of the bed. I laid with my feet at the head of the bed and had her butt facing me and I could also watch her head going up and down on mine. I reassure all of you that it was a beautiful and memorable sight.
After my second relacion, she showered herself briefly and got dressed. I was in there for about 45 minutes. I was a happy person and walked back to Apartahotel del Rio with a smile.
I unfortunately did have enough time to return to the Clinic on another day.
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Thoughts on the two casas. They are kinda dirty. The Clinic was cleaner and better run than the Av2N No. 23A-95 place. The clinic had white/solid colored sheets so you can in theory see if the sheets are clean. The Av2N No.23A-95 place had patterned sheets.
I felt fairly safe in both casas. I brought my own towel so that I can wipe myself down afterwards. I basically showered at the hotel. Walked over with only 10k more than what I expect to pay for the hour. Often the girls asked if I wanted to shower first (it can be hot/humid in Cali), and I would tell them that my hotel is really close and I showered right before I came here (which was true).
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Other thoughts:
I really didn’t visit any of the clubs on Av Sexta. I’m already tired from the casas during the day. I did see plenty of SWs on Av 6a, when my friend was driving me around. There isn’t much touristy stuff to see in Cali. Cali Viejo is a wonderful restaurant (5000 COP taxi ride from my hotel), which I highly recommend (further west from the Cali Zoo). I did visit the Cali Zoo (7500 COP) after I ate at Cali Viejo and it was an okay zoo.
Chipichape Mall is nice mall. I think it is overhyped as having all these beautiful women walking around. I did see some, particularly if they are wearing those mini-skirts, but overall I was wasn’t OVERLY impressed. Maybe I’m just very particular or I went at the wrong times.
Overall, I felt less safe than when I was in Bogota. I don’t think I would return to Cali in the immediate future, although the casas are a great deal. I think I would want to experience Medellin before I come back to Cali (I’ve been in Bogota, Cartagena, and Barranquilla).
Airport Departure tax from Cali is 65k COP or $26 USD. I was exempt from the $16 USD stamp tax because I got a stampe upon arrival in Bogota.
Best City for a first timer to Colombia
Can anyone please suggest what would be the best city to monger for a first timer(very little spanish speaking skills).
Cartagena or MDE or Cali or Bogota?
I prefer light skinned Colombianas.
Thanks for all the help
Still a lot of violence in Cali
BOGOTA, Colombia - It was like a macabre twist in a film noir: Confused hit men on the lookout for two men in a white sedan gun down the wrong people. Then they spot their intended targets, in the same traffic jam 20 yards away. And kill them, too. And it was all caught on a traffic camera.
It happened midday Thursday in the southwestern city of Cali.
The assassins struck as lunchtime traffic congealed.
Running up alongside the car, they blasted through the windows of the white Mazda. Trapped in traffic, trapped in their car, the passengers never had a chance.
Only after the shooting was over did the gunmen realize their intended targets were in another white sedan stuck in the same traffic jam.
Footage from a traffic camera shows them run forward and fire through the windows of the Honda. Darting away through the stationary cars, the hit men run to a waiting motorcycle and escape.
"The mode of killing has all the hallmarks of drug-related assassination and the fact that one of the victims in the second car had survived an assassination attempt three days earlier," said Gen. Luis Moore, commander of the Cali metropolitan police.
Moore said police caught one of the alleged assassins shortly after the shooting.
Colombia's third-largest city, Cali is in the midst of bloody clash between rival drug capos that has left hundreds dead.
Great to See You Posting Again Kdog
Hope you are well. Bummer AntiFreeze bailed to Lima, you should go visit him down there.
Your post shows that even if you stay away from drugs or dodgy areas it is still too easy to get stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time (traffic is all too common in Cali, though Bogota is where Colombian traffic is truly LA Like).