We couldn't stand another day in the hotel and we definately couldn't afford Cartagena. We got a taxi to the terminal to catch a bus to Santa Marta. We were taking a risk we couldn't find anywhere to stay on the Internet and knowing this even dorm beds were out of our budget. We chanced on getting there and then looking around for a cheap local place.

We actually had to wait for the bus to depart (all of 20 minutes). After 6 hot hours we got there and indeed had no trouble finding somewhere. We were not keen on the atmosphere in Cartagena which incidently is where all the travellers come to. Santa Marta however has a better feel and as we found out nice places to eat.

Incidently you may have seen the blog picture being used before. It was the picture selected for all the blogs, we have eventually got here. The mountains here rise from sea level to 5800m in only 45km, the guide book says this is the greatest coastal altitude gain in the world (south face of the Himalayas is the only other comparable place).

TV and playing poker summed up the quiet evening.