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Hola chicos!
Well we've had a further few lazy, very hot days on the Colombian caribbean coast. First stop, Taganga, a small fishing village that has become "gringo heaven". As G mentioned in his previous blog, as we drove from Cartagena we went through Barranquilla where there is an annual four day carnival, which started on Saturday, the same day we arrived in Taganga. Carnival is obviously not confined to Barranquilla and it was mayhem in Taganga, with music, costumes, silly string! painted cars! and fireworks everywhere. When I say fireworks, it was like nothing we've ever seen!! Some boys wheeled in a big wooden structure, erected it in the village square and lit the first rocket. Now said rockets did not go up, they fired straight out where the aim seemed to be to avoid getting third degree burns by shielding yourself with a piece of cardboard!! There were hundreds of the things, the volume and smoke was incredible. You'll be pleased to hear there didn't seem to be any injuries (who needs health and safety?!) and we watched it all from the relative safety of our hostal bar. So after that, we had a few drinks and something to eat watching all the strange events going on around us. Called it a night about 12 but I don't think the locals went to bed. There were more fireworks at 5am plus full on salsa that sounded like it was in our bathroom! V little sleep was had on Saturday. Thankfully it quietened down after the first night.
Taganga itself is in a lovely bay with great sunsets and lots of restaurants / bars and a few people who look like they have been travelling for far too long! There is no breeze at all though so the heat was too much even for me (and I love a sunbathe)!
One of the reasons to come to this area was to head into the Tayrona National Park, so we did a day trip there - stunning beaches surrounded by palm trees. You can only get there by boat or by walking a couple of hours from the entrance. Even though we said we'd forget about boats until the Amazon, we chose that option, why?!?! It was the most bone shaking hour and a half of my life, no cushion in a wooden speed boat through pretty big waves. There were some very funny moments though - there were some Israeli guys smoking spliffs (well attempting to) watching them trying to light them was most amusing. Then at one point the waves were so big, a fish ended up in the boat which caused hysterical laughter throughout. It was all worth it when we got there though as the beaches were lovely. We were meant to be getting the boat back but there was a mix up with times so we told them we'd walk, also didn't think I could do it again! The walk was lovely, along several beaches and tracks through the jungle so it was the best decision all round.
We then headed to Santa Marta for two nights, another colonial coastal town but not a patch on Cartagena, then again neither are the prices. Our room was £22 - not the Savoy but clean, cable tv, wifi, air con and a private bathroom, can't moan about that! Santa Marta is being restored though and has some lovely quiet squares with nice places to eat. We spent a day on the beach there and lazed around, thankfully it wasn't as hot as Taganga.
Flew back down to Bogota for a night in the more developed, expensive, middle class North Bogota. The difference between here and the historical centre was amazing. No getting off the streets by 8, we were in a bar drinking beer and eating burgers with loads of "suits" well after 8, could have been anywhere really.
Had a worrisome day today with the news of the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami making its way across the Pacific to the Peruvian coast as we were due to fly to Lima tonight. We had to just sit tight to wait and see what happened. Anyway despite schools being closed and the coastal area around Lima being evacuated this afternoon, the flight took off ok and we are here, tucked up in our hotel room (still with a tsunami warning in place) ready for our whistle-stop tour of Lima tomorrow before heading into the Amazon. Taking these malaria pills is causing us some problems though, I had a headache for 3 days and now have acne! G has got blisters on his lip and ulcers in his mouth, we both look lovely, not!!
Anyway must get some sleep, night all x
Ps...carrying these bloody glasses around is a complete pain. I know its a challenge to get them home but its one game I don't mind losing, think I might break it on purpose!
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