Tarántula muerta! - Colombia Part 3

South America » Colombia » Magdalena » Tayrona National Park
November 2nd 2015

Published: November 23rd 2015

My last blog ended on a Sunday night in the delightful port of Santa Marta, meeting up with our friends Laurie and Carole for drink at sunset in Santa Marta’s one good beach bar. As we celebrated being on holiday with a nice cool beer our thoughts turned to the next five days ahead. When originally planning our trip, Ian and I had discounted the five day trek to the Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 55, Displayed: 21

Buy this man a beer

Our guide who helped me across the river rapids and then later on in the trip was to save me once again..

Where's Indiana Jones??

All the fault of those movies that I found myself lost in the jungle.

Mysterious pathways

Where could they lead?

Look closely

Can you spot the golden dog?

Really? More steps?

Really???

Ceremonial terraces

There were lots of these at the Lost City, I was too busy swotting mosquitoes away and missed the guide's explanation of what they were for.

Yes, there are even more steps...

never ending steps...

Finally, the steps end, time to take in the views

Take a seat, you've earned it

The throne of the great "Mamo" shaman kings of the Tayrona.

Wow, that's some scenery you've got Colombia

I was finally starting to understand why they put the Lost City in such a remote place.

Lost in the jungle

The classic view

The ceremonial terraces of the Lost City, also look like a lot of helipads and if you are rich enough, you can take a helicopter here and avoid the trek, but that's just cheating.

Ah Colombia

My destination was reached.

Who would live in a house like this?

The huts of the soldiers who guard the site.

The Frog rock

Still worshiped by the local Indians to this day

Decorations on the local's huts

The Lost City is still inhabited by the local tribes who look after the spiritual well being of the site.

Is that the same river?

The next day we crossed the river at the same point as my near-death experience, seems the water level had dropped rather significantly...

The hut of fear at Camp 2

The location of my worse nightmare coming true Photo Courtesy of Ian Townsend

Argh!!! Tarantula!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clearly when I was confronted by a real life tarantula I was too scared to take a picture as I was running away screaming and crying in the opposite direction, however here is a reconstruction for your amusement.

Back to civilisation

Having survived the jungle, we made it to Bogota just in time for the wedding.

The wedding

A lovely outdoor setting on the outskirts of Bogota.

27th November 2015

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Loved your story....good analogy to romancing the stone. I could visualize your muddy trek. After reading your blog (which I've enjoyed greatly) I won't be taking that trek. The cage of death might have done me in. Years ago we took a short trek in Malaysia in the heat and humidity that came to mind after your descriptions. We had a great time but doubt I would sign up to do it a second time. Glad you can look back and enjoy your journey...and indeed that is what is it about. The wedding sounded wild.

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Tarántula muerta! - Colombia Part 3

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