Tayrona National Park

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Unable to get accommodation at Tayrona, we decided to make a day-trip of it. After meeting (and stroking) a huge but friendly Iguana while buying water at a Santa Marta shop we headed off for Tayrona on a jeep from the Mirimar Hostel. We paid our £10 each entrance fee and went into the park, starting with the beach at Canaveral. It was beautiful (and scorching hot) but sadly the current was too strong to swim there - in fact it was prohibited. Lunch in the “posh” EcoHab restaurant where we splurged and had prawns and crab - both were a disappointment though and we wished we hadn’t bothered. Then off to follow the path to La Piscina. We got about half-way to the beach and were distracted by lots of colourful lizards (maybe they were skinks), a large iguana and loads of big ants. It was really hot and humid so we eventually turned back. On our return journey we were lucky enough to see 2 different groups of 4 or 5 gibbons (at least we think they were gibbons, they were rusty-red in colour). The gibbons threw sticks and fruit down off the tree, seemingly at us (!) and the male sat and people-watched as we and a half-dozen other people stared at them. Amy thought they were great and it made the hot and sweaty walk even more worthwhile.

Back through the lush, green jungle and onto another jeep where we met a couple from Surrey (Lesley - the girl went to school at Notre Dame, Cobham - it’s a small world) who were 3 months into their year long trip around the world. We swapped travel tips as they’d been where we were going and they were heading to Australia (even Adelaide!).

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Photos

Iguana
A pet iguana at a local shop in Santa Marta - he loved being stroked around the neck

Tayrona Park
Canaveral Beach

Comments

[Duffers]

Andy having a swinging time
Hi guys, saw the pictures and immediately thought it was Fee snapping Andy in the trees. Glad to hear it is going well. All the best to you all Si