I woke up early this morning to catch the sunrise and beat the traffic/heat. I went to the gazebo on higher elevation to get a good shot of the sunrise and found that people were staying overnight in the hammocks there. I remember being presented the option to stay on the beach or the rocks, so the beach sounded better for sure. Didn’t know this is what they meant by the rocks.
It was peaceful hiking back because the main entrance hasn’t opened yet. Finally, toward the end of the trail, I was met with the first hordes of tourists. If I left later, it would have taken much longer to finish because the trails are narrow, and you often have to yield for oncoming traffic. Took the empty shuttle back to the front entrance and then returned to the hostel via motorcycle taxi. I picked up my stuff and then took a really crowded bus back to Santa Marta. It may sound rushed, but it felt quite relaxing to me. This is the pace I move and was only achievable because I traveled alone and can just leave on a whim.
I squeezed myself off the bus at the Rumbodromo Mamatoco roundabout for the Bolinastur bus office (not the Santa Marta main bus terminal). I chose this company because it operates efficient 20 passenger vans and people complained that the other big bus company has many delays, stops, and loud music. After couple stops at the other Bolinastur offices around town we were off to Barranquilla.
I transferred at the Barranquilla bus terminal for another bus going to Cartagena. My seat was probably the worst given that there was a control box under the seat in front so I had no legroom. After that 2.5 hour drive, my knees hurt for the rest of the day. Other than that the bus ride went smoothly, no delays, random stops, or loud music. I took a short taxi ride to The Clock Hostel in heart of the walled city.
I made it just in time for the afternoon free city walking tour. The 2 hour walk brought us through European style streets, along the fort walls, and even included some salsa dancing. I’m glad I squeezed that in because I found out afterwards that there will be no walking tours tomorrow in observation of Christmas. Too bad that also meant the free food and exotic fruit tours were also not being offered. I didn’t feel like going to another beach because I just came from one. I was entertaining the thought of going to the mud bath at a “volcano” but after reading some reviews online it looks like it’s more of a gimmick.
My hostel was offering a Christmas dinner with salsa lesson afterwards. It was a disappointment because the host didn’t finish cooking until 9 PM (they were supposed to start at 7 PM), and the 6 people who came abandoned the event afterwards, which meant no salsa.
I walked back to the Mureta Café del Mar to catch some live jazz music and passed by a lot of Christmas celebrations in the streets. I was tired so I went back to the hostel to sleep instead.
Hike a day in my boots 