Bonus Time

I've grown to learn that although our local guide is a nice fellow, he is absolutely clueless about most everything we do. He has done a good job of making hotel arrangements but when it comes to directions, he's at a total loss.

Getting back into town we had free time.  In the two and a half hours on my own the following became available:

*  Five major monuments and statues.
*  Several beautifully landscaped parks with water features and gardens.
*  A rehearsal of a local Chinese opera. They were playing in a sculpture garden. The instruments and singing were great.
*  The sculpture garden itself.
*  City Hall-the mayor and his staff were outside taking photos. I stopped to watch and one of the aides came up to me, asked where I wad from and then introduced me to the mayor (who spoke perfect English) and we took a photo together.
*  Botanical garden. The yellow lilies were fabulous.
*  The Dolphin Tower is a meteorological tower in full operation. For $5 I got an English speaking guide, 15 stories up with a panorama of the city, and a whiskey sour cocktail in the bar. 
*  Stopped by a "gentlemen's club" to ask why these clubs all have Santa Claus faces on their doors. Answer:  Santa means a "happy ending" is available. Worry not, I didn't stay.
*  Visited an honest to goodness real (hot damn) grocery store and bought some-OMG-ground Columbian coffee! Not bad for a few hours on my own with "nothing" to do!

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