I'm sitting in a hammock next to a pool, listening to the Beach Boys. Bliss.

Having a great time in Santa Marta... I'm in the nicest hostel ever, The Dreamer. The rooms are centred around a courtyard where the pool and bar are, so it's really sociable - a bit like a resort.. there's even an Italian restaurant. After originally thinking I'd stay here for a couple of nights then move to Taganga (the party place right on the beach) I've decided to base myself here - it's easy to get to all the different beaches, the waterfalls, Tayrona National Park etc.. and its lovely. Had my room all to myself last night (3 guys in there tonight, please no snoring..) and spent all day yesterday by the pool making new friends.

This part of Colombia is so pretty - it's quite rugged-looking, with cacti everywhere. It actually reminds me of Thailand - it's hot hot hot but the breeze stops it getting too sticky, the roads are dusty, there are loads of dogs roaming around, lots of motorbikes and random roadside entrepeneurs selling street food, cleaning windscreens and gazing at the tourists. I went over to Taganga today on a little combi van 'bus' which cost about 30p for a 20min ride over the Sierras, then took a wooden boat around the bay to the beach. Spent the day lazing in the sunshine, swimming in the still shallow water and eating grilled fish from a beach shack. My tan should be back on track in no time.

Special hullo to little James, happy birthday! Anna I hope you're prepared for all those toddlers mashing jelly into the carpets! Give the little senor a hug from me.

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