Hey there.

Just returned from our 6 day trek to Ciudad Perdida (Lost City).  Extremely happy to be back actually!  It was a bit tougher than we thought it would be.  Before we left we were told that we only walk for 4 to 5 hours per day, so we thought that sounded quite easy! No wonder you only walk for that time, it must be around 35 degrees and 100% humidity in the jungle so after 4 hours you are absolutley shattered, everything is wet from either sweat or the rain and the hordes of mosquitos are starting to feast upon you. Each night is spent in a hammock and unsuccesful efforts are made to try and dry your clothes for the next day of walking.

It was however a very scenic walk and one of the highlights was seeing the indigenous people who live far out in the jungle.  They are definitley the most primitive looking people we have ever seen (sack clothing, very Indian features and thatch huts). The Ciudad itself is huge but only comprises the terraces where the houses etc were built, so it is quite hard to imagine how it would have looked.

Some of you may recall that in 2003 8 tourists were kidnapped by guerillas on this walk and freed 100 or so days later. Our guide was with some of the tourists on the same excursion in which they were kidnapped but managed to get away with other more lucky tourists.  Following this kidnapping there has been no further problems but it made for quite a story considering we were in the middle of the jungle a long way from help!

Now we relax and hope that the mosquito bites will stop itching and Sarahs very swollen ankle from a (huge) bee sting goes down, before heading to Tayrona Natonal Park to sit on isolated white sand beaches for a few days!

Shane and Sarah