We arrived in Santa Marta early in the morning and had a recommended hostel to try, and it turned out to be one of the best hostels so far! We got sorted and took a walk around the centre and beachfront, however being around midday on the Caribbean coast it was a tad bit hot!! So, we trooped back to the hostel and started our South American Pool competition, a few hours and some very cheap drinks later, we headed downstairs for for some food in a Mexican place. I went for the Lomo Fajita, which was the waitress' favourite dish so I had picked well, I was expecting traditional fajita wraps but no, I got three nicely sized slabs of steak, rice and salad... it tasted amazing. Later that night we mingled with people from the hostel as all bars were closed on Tuesdays, which is beginning to be a reoccuring theme, but I'm here for the culture and not to drink, right? Ended up after hours in the hostel bar with some Danish girls who work there, nutters!

Next day, feeling very tired I just about make it to the hostel pool, which is roughly 2 steps from my dorm room where i have a light swim and a read, perfect cure after a night out or in as it so happened! We went for a wander around the squares and touristy bits, ended up at the Mexican restaurant again, same waitress and she knew what I wanted... "Mucho gracias, senorita!" with a wink and a smile!

Later that night we took it easy, which is what you do in the Caribbean isn't it, my kind of place, nice and laid back! We rested up in the TV room and watched some Friends and various other easy going shows, then an early night for once!

Next day, we decided we would hit the road again, west towards Cartegena. But before that we took a 5 min bus ride to a small fishing village called Taganga, a very small place situated in a bay with some large hills on each side hiding it away. We had a little swim and a walk down the main street which is full of straw huts selling fruit and drinks. Cocao I think it's called, is a very popular drink, they slice off the top of a coconut and throw a straw in and it's all yours to drink! I believe they are unripened coconuts as the drink is very watery, very refreshing too! I will find out, here is where knowing the lingo would be helpful. I'm getting there though, asking questions is ok, it's just understanding the 100mph response which is the tricky part! After a few hours we head back and catch a 5 hour bus to Cartegena.

If we had longer I would have loved to have done the 6 day trip to the the lost city and Tayrona national park, next time!!!