Wednesday 24th August

So I did manage to sleep in the dorm, not a really sound sleep, but that’s the way it is in the heat :-( Woke at about 7 with sun shining through the very thin curtains and someone getting ready for going out for the day. Lay in bed and read for a while then got up to go to the beach here in Taganga. It is a small horse-shoe shaped bay, a small village really. Tourism is a big thing here and must benefit the community but at the same time must also affect the locals. It’s a small place not really fully equipped for the number of visitors. Some roads are paved, others are not and a little bumpy. My hostel is only one block from the beach front area which is good for if I go out to eat in the evening, not that anywhere is probably far from the beach really, but if it’s after dark the shorter walk the better for me. I had breakfast at a café- scrambled eggs and arepa- less dry than last time I had them. It’s gone 4pm and I’ve not had lunch, unusual for me! Just not felt hungry. Walked round the bay and back (not far!) then went and lay under a tree on the beach to read- too hot to be in the direct sunlight. It’s not the best beach but the setting is very pretty with the bay being surrounded by hills. By around 1.30 it had become overcast and started to spit so I decided to head back and update my blog etc. On the way I asked the tourist police place for info on trips to Tayrona National Park, you can stay there in tents or hammocks but I don’t think I’m comfortable doing that on my own, apart from anything else I don’t like the dark! Wouldn’t bode well for camping on my own! It sounds like I can go in for the day and see the ‘highlights’, supposed to be a very pretty place.
I had dinner with Michèle (the French lady) – we had a nice meal of delicious prawn kebabs (the kind on a stick). Then we wandered up and down the main seafront road a few times before sitting on the waterfront watching the boats bob up and down, chatting about our previous Latin American visits. She headed off to Minca today (Thurs), a place up in the hills about an hour away. I may go later on but decided to stay and do what I want to do here first, whereas she will return here after. Accommodation could be a bit more expensive there but I may treat myself for a night, as it does sound a quiet village to spend a day or two, the LP describes it as a good place to go if you need to “escape the heat of the coast”- to be honest I wouldn’t mind!

The heat is exhausting which is why I think I ended up today (Thursday 25th) doing very little: reading, trip reading, internet, hammock, lunch, sleep- you get the idea! I didn’t even make it down to the beach til sunset today! But that’s ok, sometimes I guess you need days like that…..I had a nice lunch with the American guy from my dorm- we chatted a bit yesterday and I found out he is doing Spanish lessons here. I was lazing in the hammock today when he got back from his class and asked if I wanted to join him for lunch- we went to this nice local type place where it was sooooo cheap- about 2 quid for soup (had some sort of meat bones in which I just had to ignore) and we had chicken breast served with a small portion of: chips, pasta, rice, salad and beans! Plus it included a drink! Bargain and tasty! Anyway he asked if I wanted to speak Spanish (give us both practice) so we chatted in Spanish for over half of the meal, which was good. After my afternoon nap I headed down to the waterfront to watch sunset (which was beautiful) and got a mango juice from a street seller who makes juices- there are a few of these about. I’m not a big fan of mangos but thought I’d give it a try, it wasn’t bad but don’t think I’ll get it again! I must cut down to maximum of 1 juice per day as having watched her make it I realise quite a bit of sugar goes in with the fruit, ice and water ! Had a prawn pasta dinner which cost me double my lunch but was nice to sit down on the main street and watch the world and people go by. I think I’m going to Tayrona National Park for the day tomorrow but will decide for definite tomorrow…….