Cavorting along Caribbean Colombia

Tolu is a 3 hour journey west along the northern Colombian coast and is a small seaside resort, a quiet place that has no cabs, only cycle-cabs. We always tipped a little as we felt we were a heavy pair to pull around town. After a day here we realized we were in the Colombian version of Southend, a lower-middle class holiday town full of pumping Latin music and bars selling Colombian favorites along the beach. In true Colombian fashion they made sure the street signs reflected this:-

Beware oncoming cocktails from both directions!

 And some very nice stained glass.

 We took a day trip out to go to a few (4) Caribbean islands.... oh the pressure of it all!

 We had to cope with swimming on this one then they made us drink pina coladas and eat lobster. You will be pleased to know that we survived the experience.

 The locals all live on a neighboring island which is almost at urban population levels. Everyone makes money here from fishing, something after our lunch we can report they can do quite well!

 We then took the bus back east along the coast, past Cartagena to the town of Santa Marta. The oldest Spanish town in Latin America. Although quickly upstaged by Caragena and never built to the same size or beauty. It is the main Colombian tourist town along the coast and where every Colombian we have met has urged us to visit.

 Although it does not have the spit and polish of it's more famous neighbor it is very beautiful.

 And does a good sunset.

It also is a working port and if the hawk had not flown off as I took this picture it would have been superb!

Also in town is the Museo do Simon Bolivar. Without doubt one of the most famous historical icons of the continent. During his lifetime, he led Venezuela, Colombia (including Panama at the time), Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia to independence. Admirers claim that he helped lay the foundations for democracy in much of Latin America. In every town in every country we have been in has been a square or street named after him. Even Colombia and they HATE naming streets...('What, streets have numbers not names - how else do you find your way around?' would be the Colombian response). Anyway we went there and here are some pictures.

 Winner of the worlds largest padlock competition.

 Never seen a cacti on a roof before!

The main attraction of Santa Marta is it is the gateway to the Parque Nacional Natural Tyrona, a nature reserve about 35km along the coast where there are some wonderful jungle and beaches. From the gates of the park your only options are to walk or hire horses. As I have never managed to work out how to either steer or change gear in a horse (and the brakes seem suspect to me too) we chose the former.

 Which meant we got to see this critter. As well as more lizards than we have ever seen before and the most stunningly large blue butterflys. Both of which were way too quick to stand still to have their picture taken.

Eventually however I did manage to get a pic of a crab before it did its usual and get embarrassed and disappear down its hole.

After about an hours walk we found the first of the many beaches.

 And the 2nd!

 I think this one is the 5th or 6th!

 Lost count

 We tested all the ones where swimming was allowed (there are some silly strong currents and large notices saying you'd be silly to swim here - we did what we were told.)

 Not only are these beaches stunningly beautiful but there are some amazing little additions which just go the extra mile. The rocks are full of iron pyrite (fools gold) which have flaked into the sea so the surf is full of specks of golden glitter.

Here Liza dries off between testing beaches 6 & 7!

 So we spent a good two days wandering the beaches, testing the coolness of the beer, the quality of the sea food and generally being stressed out with the high pressure of it all.

 So as I post this we have arrived back in Santa Marta where we relax after the pressure of our visit to Tayrona. Tomorrow we turn back south to head towards Bogota, our last week in Colombia.