Taganga to Palamino

Day 8 – 16

The ride out of Taganga was grimy and crowded, but as we started ascending into Park Tayrona, flower farms and gurgling rivers quickly replaced the filth. It truly was a beautiful ride. When we hit the coast again, we were greeted with turquoise water beneath huge jungle cliffs – how turquoise water always sets my heart a flutter!

I was quite enthralled and although we underestimated the distance (again), I didn’t mind the extra 20km or so on the saddle.

When we finally arrived at Palamino, we realized that the good ol’ Lonely Planet was a bit dated and both prices and new hostels had risen. But, that is why we have a tent and all the fixings that go with.  So, for the five nights we called our little tent home. We were pitched at FincaEscondida – a very worthy hostel destination with a water-front bar and restaurant, white sand and enough grassy spots to accommodate a few tents. The sound of crashing waves wasn't bad either.

As Rob was aptly nick-named by our new-found Uruguayan friend Emilio, “Happy Hour” was quite a hit – especially with Rob – and we met some fun travellers to waste away the evening hours. 

Days passed without much excitement. Books, walks along the beach, and dips into the surf to cool off followed by long afternoon naps was the itinerary most days. We broke things up by walking 15 minutes from the beach into town to eat cheap food  - the price of food at the hostel was not within budget, so plato tipico - meat, rice, fried plantains and a few slices of tomatoes -  was our big meal at lunch and then we subsidize with fruit and popsicles (for me). Frozen treats in Colombia are exceptional and for about 50 cents, they are within budget!

It was also a fun place to see local children living their everyday lives on the beach; 6-year-old surfers, soccer everywhere and kids just being kids.

 

To get back towards Cartagena we cheated a bit with a bus ride back to Cartagena – we figured since we biked one way, we might as well save four days of travel time and catch the bus. It was a bit of a shit show and Rob had a freak out, but we made it.

We then biked to Playa Blanco; an absolutely stunning beach with calm turquoise water. Bets are that big hotels will soon take over the cabanas where locals live a hard existence with no water or electricity.

I won't lie to ya - I was ready to get outta there. My bike was not happy living in sand and salt and considering I was violently ill last night - our first night back in Cartagena, I was glad to have a flush toilet. 

Unfortunately my illness means we will have to stay one more day in Cartagena because at the moment, my stomach can't handle any food and riding into the unknown tomorrow seems like a BAD idea. I am blaming Rob - his words of wisdom, "It is fine to drink the water here - look at me I am fine." 

I didn't heed his advice when we first arrived, but he seemed fine, so I went for it. 5 hours in the bathroom last night while he slept soundly is fact that yes, Rob's stomach can take much more than mine.

Notes to self...

Bring multi-vitamins to Latin American countries. They don't really do veggies.

WD40 is the most useful product on earth. If cleans sand off bikes and oil off clothes - seriously!

Rob's take: http://robamysouthamerica.blogspot.ca/