Paradise?

Trip Start Sep 20, 2008
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Trip End Sep 2009


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Flag of Colombia  ,
Friday, October 24, 2008

If we had hoped the 5 days of hard trekking in Ciudad Perdida should end in at least a good lie in and rest for the next day, we hadn't counted on arriving back to the flat in Santa Marta to be met by Sara Ordoņez an a handful of friends, drinking eating and socialising. We arrived at the flat at 9pm, exhausted and abosultely dying for a night in a non-mosquito infested bed. Sara (Caro's godparent) had different ideas, and sat us down, fed and got us drunk on nice whiskey before persuading us what a good idea it was to get up at 530am the next morning for a trip to Isla del Muerto, a beautiful unspoilt beach a short distance from Santa Marta just inside La Parque Tayrona. Our already abused bodies agreed, that one more early morning can't hurt, so agreed.

Got up at 530am as promised and drank several coffees before we were aware of what was going on. Around 7, Sara calls to say, she was just getting up, and hoped we were nearly ready. Almost ready to make the Isla del Muerto ('Island of Death') live up to it's name.

This soon passed as we approached the outskirts of Parque Tayrona, and began to appreciate the coastline views that followed us to the starting beach Playa Cristal
Playa Cristal
 . The bay was endless, lined with cliffs, and a cool breeze of the water. Once landed at the beach, took a boat to the island which, in the still morning sun, looked like it had just been copied out of a very expensive holiday brochure.

The name for the beach we were visiting on this island was Playa Cristal - Crystal Beach, and this is reference to the crystalline waters perfect for snorkelling around the bay. Took a while to find what we were looking for, but soon we swimming among fish and corals of all colours shapes and sizes. Little ones of yellow colours, solo ones of rainbow colours, and huge groups of giant blue ones. Fascinating. Unfortunately the camera wouldn't like the underwater shots, so you'll have to believe us.

Unfortunately the rains and storms came around 2pm and drove us off the beach and all the way back to the flat, where we ate fish similar to those we had seen, and planned for our next few days.

Hope everyone is cool, hasta luego!
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