Tayrona National Park
Trip Start
Apr 09, 2008
1
21
34
Trip End
Aug 12, 2008
Tayrona National Park, Colombia
Thursday, May 15, 2008
13/5 Spent most of the day lazing by the beach. The sand is a bit like gravel and there is a fair bit of rubbish in the water, but the water is very warm and clear.
14/5 Took the bus today with Alex to the Tayrona National Park. We have hired a tent from Santiago for a couple of nights, in an attepmt to save a few bucks, little did we know that we would get charged more to pitch the tent than rent a hammock! Alex ended up sneaking into a hammock in the evenings anyway as we didnīt have any sleeping mats
La Campino Beach
.Upon arrival at the entrance to the park, our bags were searched by an army dude (what on earth was he looking for?!?) and we paid the 25000 pesos entry fee. We then had to pay another 2000 for the 4km ride to the walking track. Things are pretty cheap in Colombia, but they know how to squeeze a bit extra out of you! hehe
The first part of the walk was through very thick jungle and took about 45 minutes. The ants here are incredible. They clear ant freeways through the jungle and bring cut up leaves back to their nest. We then arrived at Arricifes beach, dangerous for swimming, but absolutely gorgeous. A long sandy beach lined by massive cocnut palms all the way, towered by jungle covered mountains! We brought a lot of fruit, tuna and bread rolls and had a delicious lunch. We also met a really cool 74 year old dude from San Andreas.
We walked another three beaches along to La Campino where we stayed the night. Had a swim and a lie on the beach, followed by an amzing swordfish dinner, followed by a cake from the gorgeous local girl Jamie.
After dinner we had just about the craziest night ever! We met up with two other Aussies, Rob and Liam, Ed (Ireland) and three Israeli dudes (fresh from three years compulsory military service! When the Israelis finish their compulsory service they pften travel and go absolutely nuts, and these guys were the most nuts dudes I reckon Iīve ever met!!) A truely insane evening
Tayrona National Park
.15/5 Alex and I walked 1.5 hours up the mountain to the Tayrona ruins. We encountered soem pretty impressive thousand year old stairs and foundations for many buildings. The was also a very cute indigenous girl who kept asking for money for us wanting to take her photo. Alex gave her a few coins but then she looked away every time he pointed his camera at her. He did get a great shot of her scowl though!
In the arvo Alex, the Aussies, Ed and I all went snorkelling at the next beach down. There were heaps of rocks, with some coral and I reckon I saw about 15 varieties of fish. A gang of large purple fish attacked and then ate another fish!
Had another pretty big night with the lads and a repeat serve of the Swordfish.
