Colombia, not Columbia

Three glorious and care free weeks on Colombia’s Carribbean / Atlantic Coast. We didn’t cram in the days just went with the flow. It’s very different to Medellín and I love the pace of life. The weather was constantly hot except our two nights near Tayrona.

There is limited transport options between Cartagena and Santa Marta. Only private car hire or buses. It’s a shame there is no rail network Cartagena-Barranquilla-Santa Maria because the coastal region is very dramatic. An air con train ride along the coast would be a stunning journey.

Cycling
No one cycles here it’s too hot. The road to Riohaca and the desert was to be the final stage of a transcolombia route. The road traffic is also quite heavy with big US size trucks travelling on Route 90.

The Army presence is also a reminder that paramilitary groups (Parcos) may still operate in the region. Unlike the left wing guerilla groups like FARC and ELN who have signed a peace agreement with the government. It is the Parcos activity that threaten future stability of this Department. Nevertheless all the people here want a lasting peace. The army patrols are very young, probably doing national service.

I love Barranquilla and it has been our base on this trip with a lot of family members. But there isn’t much here for tourists, outside of the carnival season, unless you just want to party hard or trade in commodities.

Our stay in Cartagena was exciting and accomodation was a great price. The city at a standstill when the sunsets over the carribbean sea. An experience I’ll never forget when the sky turns bright red. The early morning walks on empty beaches and the historical old town also great experiences.

Santa Marta a fishing town and home of Carlos Valderrama. Also popular tourist spot with beaches. Great for souvenirs and wandering around the old streets.

Tayrona National Park was the highlight adventure for us. Challenging and rewarding in equal measure. The happy faces of our party of 12 was complete joy and the kids want to do more exploring of their country and heritage, so win in many ways.

Remember the movie ‘dances with wolves’ and the native girl known as ‘smiles alot’ I think all her sisters live here. Barranquilla is a very happy place.

Tips for a coastal trip:

• Don’t make hard fast plans, be flexible
  
• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, packed with so much goodness, all local and generally good quality
  
• go for a very early morning strolls along the beach before the crowds, touts and hot sun arrives
  
• you can never carry enough water it’s cheap, get large barrel and bring your water bottles
  
• switch off, bring playing cards learn ‘ciao bacalao’, bring guitar, bring dominoes
  
• never share drinking bottles of water, your germs are your germs
  
• get your hair platted for that total beach life look
  
• Avoid eating pork in remote areas, the pig diet is not great and the meat is not popular.
  
• Pack plenty of moisturiser and cucumber eye gel
  
• SPF 70 sun protection is essential
  
• Pack plenty of insect repellent and after bite cream
  
• Linen, silk, cotton and lycra only clothing
  
• Buy an authentic hat and use it to protect your head
  
• Drink rum not aguardiente, local rum here is very cheap
  
• buy jewellery made locally for your girlfriend, mother, daughters
  
• Drink Aguila Beer brewed in Barranquilla it’s very cheap like 30p per can.
  
• Add salt to everything you will need to replace the salt you lose from sweating
  
• Drink coconut water straight from the shell it has essential electrolyte and will keep you cool
  
• sleep one night in a cabaña with a hammock
  
• learn to dance to Cumbia or throw some Champeta moves. It’s a great way to keep fit
  
• Never turn down an invitation to a party even if you are tired. The locals will just say, you’re doing it wrong and kidnap you anyway
  
• find a driver that speaks English and use him as much as possible, even take him out for lunch. He’ll know more than any tourist centre
  
• at the end of your trip have a spa day full body massage, nails, hair, it’s so cheap and worth it.
  
  

https://youtu.be/FUoHk9dhsbs

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