Parque Nacional Tayrona

After six hard days hiking to Ciudad Perdida, 8 of our group decided to head to the beach for a few days to relax. We picked up 2 more on the way and after a frantic morning buying snacks, water and a lot of rum, we headed a half hour of of Santa Marta to Parque Nacional Tayrona, which has heaps of great, tropical beaches on the Caribbean. We hiked for about an hour to the last camp site, rented some hammocks and got down to the serious business of doing absolutely nothing!

We spent the next five days checking out the different beaches, swimming, reading, drinking, playing Plümp and getting some serious tans. I don't think I've been this dark since I lived in Saudi Arabia, and there's still plenty more beach time to be had.

With heavy hearts and light wallets, we headed back to Santa Marta and Taganga, where 6 of us, Jenn (US), Charlotte (UK), Verena (Italia), Gabby (Switzerland), Nev (Au) and I (Au too), hired an awesome villa with a great balcony overlooking the bay. Today Gabby, and American guy we met in Tayrona and I signed up for an open water diving course, and Jenn for her advanced, so I have the feeling we'll become some of “those people” who stay here for weeks on end.

My plans have continued to change, and since I'm not going to Central America anymore, I'm going to check out Cartagena for a few days before heading down to Bogotá and eye salvation. If for some reason there's a problem with getting the operation, I can console myself in the fact that it only costs US$35 for an eye exam, frames and lenses here.